If a car hits your pet, it can be a particularly shocking and traumatic experience for both you and your pet. Often, pet owners will be in a state of shock and unsure of what to immediately do.
Having a plan of action in place will help to smooth the process in this difficult time. To this end, the team at VetMed have assembled a useful summary of essential things to do and consider in the unfortunate event that your pet is hit by a car.
Getting Your Pet to a Vet
Because pets are usually hit when they run onto the street, it is important to take precautions when seeking to assist your pet. Enlist the help of other people to stop traffic while you are able to move your pet and yourself to safety.
If your pet is still conscious, there is a chance that they might lash out and bite or scratch while they are touched because they are shocked, confused and in pain. For dogs, consider fitting them with a muzzle but be sure not to obstruct their breathing.
Wrapping your animal in a blanket may provide additional comfort to them while moving.
When you have secured yourself and your pet in a safe location, contact the nearest emergency vet hospital and provide them with accurate information on the state of your animal – breathing, clear injuries, blood loss etc. It is best to have someone else drive you to a vet as you might be in a state of shock.
Even if your animal doesn’t appear to have any significant injuries, be sure to take them to a vet anyway. Your pet might have suffered internal injuries to their organs and may be bleeding. Better to be safe than sorry.
Common Injuries Arising From Car Accidents
Being hit by a car obviously involves a massive amount of blunt force trauma. Common injuries include fractures of bones, lacerations, degloving injuries (where skin and tissue are disconnected from deeper tissue layers), ruptured bladders, internal bleeding, chest and lung injuries, and head trauma.
Your pet may require:
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Removal of air from chest cavity
- Treatment for shock
- Treatment for head injuries
- Dental surgery
VetMed Is On Hand in Emergencies
The VetMed team are experienced emergency veterinary professionals who will be able to guide you through the process and give your pet the best chance of recovery. We prioritise emergency procedures, so bring your pet in immediately if hit by a car – or if outside clinical hours contact our 24-hour referral service.