Dog Hit by a Car: A Guide From Emergency Care to Recovery

If your dog got hit by a car, this emergency situation necessitates quick thinking and action. Preparedness, or knowing how to respond quickly to an accident, is essential as appropriate actions significantly impact your pet’s chances of recovery.

While it’s certainly not something dog owners would want to happen to their dogs, accidents can happen anytime. Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) can be fatal for any dog involved, but correctly handling the situation will foster your canine’s well-being. 

In this article, you’ll learn what to do if your dog gets run over by a car, how to support them during their recovery, and how to prevent it from happening. 

Dogs Hit by Car Survival Rate

Around 140 dogs involved in RTAs were retrospectively evaluated, eventually reporting an 83.2% survival rate. Younger dogs mostly suffered from ruptured lung capillaries and limb fractures, while larger dogs mainly had broken bones. 

Meanwhile, older and smaller dogs more frequently sustained pelvic fractures and sacroiliac luxation, a traumatic injury where the joint between the pelvis and the spine gets torn or shifted.

Out of these dogs, those with bone injuries get longer hospitalization. It’s also worth noting that dogs with several underlying injured body systems, like nerve problems, high blood sugar, and abnormal body temperature, have lower chances of surviving than dogs without these issues. 

Regardless, a dog getting hit by a car and making it to the hospital has a great chance of recovering and going home. With veterinarians around, they get immediate veterinary care and access to advanced technological equipment that help enhance the treatment process.

What to Do if a Dog Gets Hit by a Car

It can certainly put you in a state of shock once you learn that your dog got hit by a car. However, you must remember that every second counts, so an immediate response is necessary.

Unfortunately, many dog owners don’t know what to do if a dog gets hit by a car. Acting impulsively in a state of panic can inadvertently exacerbate the situation, leading to additional discomfort or harm for the injured dog. 

That said, it’s crucial to remain composed and handle the incident carefully to avoid compounding the trauma. Here’s how you can do that:

Assess the Situation

Assessing the situation involves ensuring you’re not in danger, especially if the accident happened on a busy road. Consider parking your vehicle somewhere safe and turn on your car’s hazard lights to alert other drivers. You may use a flashlight, wave your arms, or ask someone to direct traffic to signal other drivers to slow down or stop. 

Once it’s safe to approach the dog, walk toward them slowly and calmly to prevent them from getting startled. Remember, injured animals may act unpredictably out of fear and pain. 

You may then determine whether the dog is responsive and see if they’re having breathing difficulties. This initial assessment you’re making helps assess the severity of the injury and provides an idea of the next steps in providing aid. 

Provide First Aid

When a dog is hit by a car, providing first aid can help stabilize the dog before professional medical help arrives. This aims to address life-threatening issues, like bleeding or shock, and prevent further injury. 

Here are some first-aid measures to consider when handling external injuries in dogs:

• Stop the bleeding: If the dog has an open wound, grab a clean cloth or bandage and gently apply pressure on the area to stop it from bleeding.
• Cover the wounds: You can help prevent infection by covering the wounds using a sterile bandage or clean cloth. 
• Refrain from unnecessarily moving the dog: The injured dog may suffer from broken bones, internal complications, or spinal injury, which may lead to complications and even paralysis. That said, try to minimize movement as much as possible.

Meanwhile, below are a few things you can do if the dog is in a state of shock:

• Keep the dog warm: Shock can cause a drop in body temperature, so consider using a blanket to keep the dog warm. 
• Elevate the dog’s rear: If you’re sure that the dog doesn’t have spinal injuries, nor do they vomit or have breathing difficulties, lift up their rear to maintain normal blood flow to vital organs. 
• Stay calm: Dogs respond to human emotions and other social cues. When they’re in shock, another way to soothe them and keep their stress levels down is by exhibiting a calm presence.

First aid measures significantly improve a dog’s survival after getting hit by a car. However, these are not meant to replace vet care. Bringing them to the hospital remains important since they could be suffering from conditions that are not immediately apparent.

Contact an Emergency Vet

You must contact a local veterinarian if a dog is hit by a car. The apparent severity of the injury doesn’t matter since dogs may seem and look fine but may have already been suffering from internal bleeding and other issues. 

As you give them a call, be ready to provide the following information regarding the dog that was hit by a car:

• A brief description of what transpired and the dog’s present condition (e.g., signs of shock or obvious injuries).
• Your exact location and the estimated time to transport the dog to the veterinary clinic or hospital.
• Only if you can safely check the dog’s vital signs, like breathing rate, heart rate, and gum color. 
• The first aid measures you have already taken. 

Providing this initial information helps emergency vets assess the situation. They will use the details you relate to them to come up with appropriate advice on what to do next.

Transportation to the Veterinary Clinic

Although it’s best not to move an injured dog and wait for emergency help, situations like not having an available vet service on-site may prompt you to transport them to a clinic. 

How to Move an Injured Dog to a Safer Location

If your dog needs to be moved, use a stretcher. You must gently slide the dog onto it, minimizing movements as much as possible while ensuring that the head and spine are properly supported. 

You can make an improvised one if you don’t have a proper stretcher. The short video below serves as an easy tutorial guide on how to make it:

How to Prepare for the Car Ride

If possible, have someone monitoring the dog’s vital signs ride with you in the car. They can help detect changes in the dog’s overall condition and provide valuable information to the vet upon arrival. 

On another note, keep the environment calm and quiet inside the car. Use a soothing voice when you speak to the dog. This kind of interaction helps reduce the stress and anxiety the dog feels after getting hit by a car. 

Veterinary Evaluation and Treatment

Upon arrival at the clinic, the injured dog will undergo an initial examination immediately. These include but are not limited to the ones listed below:

• X-rays
• Blood work
• Ultrasounds

The vet will also check for any internal bleeding, broken bones, organ damage, and other internal issues.

Depending on the diagnosis, the vet will determine the appropriate action plan. This could involve surgery if there are internal injuries or broken bones to repair, medication to help alleviate pain and prevent infection, and supportive care for wound treatment. 

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery and aftercare are just as important as the treatment your injured dog receives from the clinic. Putting time and effort into this area is crucial in ensuring your dog returns to normalcy. 

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the post-treatment process:

Post-Treatment Monitoring

If the vet has prescribed pain medication, follow the instructions carefully. You may have to check your dog occasionally for any signs of discomfort and stress. If the canine has wounds, see if these exhibit infection or abnormal swelling and contact your vet immediately. 

They may recommend a follow-up examination, prescribe additional treatments, or adjust the medication dosage.

Rehabilitation

Help your dog gain mobility and strength by consulting a vet physiotherapist. They may tailor an exercise physiotherapy plan to help with lameness and pain. Depending on the vet’s advice, this may start with short, gentle walks, with the duration and intensity gradually increasing. 

If your dog has lifetime mobility issues, explore options like a well-designed dog mobility harness, ramps, or dog wheelchair to help keep them active and engaged.

Emotional Support

A dog hit by a car may have been traumatized by the incident. Providing them with emotional support and enrolling them in therapy programs will help lessen their experienced anxiety and stress. On top of that, it helps if you provide a calm and comforting environment. After all, noise can add unnecessary stress to dogs’ healing.

Preventing Future Accidents

Accidents happen but there are steps you can take to prevent your dog from experiencing getting hit by a car. You can implement measures to protect your dog from potential dangers, especially from car accidents.

• Use a dog leash: Never allow your dog to enter a busy area, more so a road without any area leashing. This gear gives you control over where your dog’s headed, preventing them from rushing into traffic.
• Teach them verbal commands: Teaching your dog verbal commands, like “no” or “stop,” helps keep your dog safe. If they’re running in the wrong direction, you can tell them to stop. Ensure you also focus on obedience training so your dog follows your rules. 
• Install barriers: A fence around your yard is ideal if you live near the road. Ensure it’s high enough so the dog can’t jump over, has no gaps to prevent them from squeezing through, and is installed deep enough if your dog is a digger. 

Implementing these safety measures and environmental changes reduces the risk of future road traffic accidents for your dog. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Do if My Dog Gets Hit by a Car and I Can’t Afford a Vet?

If your canine gets hit by a car and you can’t afford a vet, there are several steps you can take to seek help. Consider contacting non-profit organizations like the Red Rover Relief. You may also check if your vet clinic accepts payment plans to ease the financial burden.

Also, consider contacting your pet insurance company if your dog is insured. Some policies cover accidents and emergencies, which could reimburse a significant portion of your dog’s vet bills. 

More options include:

• Crowdfunding.
• Going to community and charity organizations.
• Consulting an attorney to receive compensation for vet bills from someone who has hit your dog out of their negligence. 

Can a Dog Be Okay After Getting Hit by a Car?

Yes, a dog can be okay after getting hit by a car. However, this largely depends on the severity of the impact and the dog’s injuries. If they were only common injuries and they received proper medical care, they would recover quickly. 

On the flip side, serious injuries can be fatal. If such is the case, immediate medical help is required to heighten the dog’s survival chances.

Can You Go to Jail for Hitting a Dog?

Hitting a dog with your car doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll go to jail. However, there are legal repercussions, such as that if it happens, you choose to flee the scene instead of recording the accident. 

For example, in California, accidentally hitting a dog with your car and not stopping to render aid is illegal. You have to contact the pet owner, call the police for help, or bring the dog to the vet. 

In most states, pets are considered personal property, so hitting a dog with your car and fleeing the scene can be property damage, which may lead to penalties. You might also be charged with animal cruelty, especially if the crash was caused by negligence or reckless driving.

Do You Have to Report That You Hit a Dog?

In many states, including California, you must report if you hit a dog with your car. California’s Vehicle Code 20002 states that you must stop after the accident and attempt to locate or contact the dog owner. 

Failing to follow this law results in misdemeanor charges. Although state laws vary, everyone’s legal and ethical obligation is to report dog car accidents so they receive immediate care.

Final Word

Your dog getting hit by a car is news no owner wants to hear. However, if this ever happens, having a course of plan on how to deal with the situation helps your pet’s overall well-being in terms of treatment and recovery. 

It may take a lot of time before your dog shows total improvement from the car accident, but showing your commitment to their healing will speed up the process. Of course, prevention is always better than having to subject your dog to this experience. 

You can keep them secure and protected by ensuring they’re on a leash and your property is fenced. Remember, although the driver hitting your dog may have legal obligations, you are also responsible for keeping them safe and away from the busy road. 

Key Takeaways:

• According to a study, around 83.2 percent of dogs have survived road traffic accidents.
• If a dog is hit by a car, providing first aid and contacting the local vet are two of the first things you need to do. 
• A dog hit by a car can survive, heal, and recover better if appropriate medical care is provided immediately.