How to Handle a Pet Hit by a Car

There are various circumstances in which a pet might be hit by a car. It could be they are walking without a leash and run out into the road. It is also possible they could escape from the home, one of the reasons it is so important we safeguard potential exit points in the building. Even with precautions in place, accidents happen and a pet can enter the road.

When a pet is hit by a car, a quick response is essential. This is not always possible. For example, we may not even notice a cat has escaped outside until after a traffic accident has occurred. If we are present when our pet is hit by a car, we need to use the following first aid guidelines:

• Be calm: we cannot help our pet if we are hurt ourselves, so we need to monitor for other vehicles and stop oncoming traffic if necessary. If our dog runs out into the road, we should not blindly follow them. Seeing our beloved pet being hit by a car can be traumatic and we may even be in a state of shock. However, we need to remain calm and be considerate in our actions. Our panic can make the situations worse for the animal.
• Assess their condition: before touching them, we need to look for any obvious signs of injury. This could be bleeding, bent limbs or other signs of traumatic injury, as well as other symptoms such as whether they have lost consciousness. It is also important to look for signs of breathing and a pulse.
• Carefully remove them from danger: especially since we might be in oncoming traffic, it is important to safely move the animal. This is a dangerous proposition since moving them incorrectly can exacerbate an injury. Limiting head and spine movement is particularly important. If the animal is large, you may need assistance. Using a blanket, towel or piece of board, you can make an improvised stretcher by slipping it underneath.
• Wound first aid: if we see there is significant bleeding, we should control it by applying firm pressure. We can create a makeshift tourniquet with a strip of cloth if possible. If the damage is minimal, then we can start to clean the wounds with an appropriate antibacterial solution such as chlorhexidine.
• Keep them warm: even if the damage is minimal, the dog could be entering a state of shock. We should keep them warm and calm. Do not feed them in case they need surgical treatment as this can increase the risk of aspiration.
• Take them to a vet: even if we do not see obvious signs of injury, our pet could be seriously hurt. For example, they may have received a head injury which causes cerebral hemorrhage. Even if we are being overly cautious, it is best to contact a veterinarian. If there are obvious signs of trauma such as a broken limb, take them to a veterinarian immediately as prompt treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Even when completely healthy, pets do not often like going to the veterinarian. Various negative stimuli such as the other pets in the waiting room, invasive physical examination, pain from injections or even simply being in an unknown environment can create a very stressful situation.

When a pet has been in an accident, they can be in a heightened state of stress which can be exacerbated by going to the veterinary clinic. This will depend on various factors, including whether or not the animal is conscious. For this reason, we need to provide for both their physical and mental well-being:

• Physical safety: we will need to limit movement during transportation, especially when they are in a moving vehicle. We should try to support them on a hard surface such as a board. This would acts as a makeshift stretcher like those used by paramedics. While you should drive quickly, you will also need to drive carefully and minimize movement inside the vehicle. Maintain first aid such as applying pressure to wounds.
• Emotional state: if the pet is still conscious, they may be scared and confused. Keep the animal calm as best as possible as their movement can worsen injuries. The animal will likely be in a state of shock, so use reassuring speech and pet them carefully. It is very important that you remain calm since this can affect the animal's state.

After the pet is hit by a car, you should call the veterinarian ahead of time. This will be both to ensure they are able to receive an emergency patient and to allow them time to prepare.

Not all traumatic injuries are the same. Some can look bad, but pose no serious threat. Others may have few obvious clinical signs, but put the animal's life in danger. This is often the case with brain trauma, but it can also happen with injuries such as internal bleeding or a collapsed lung. These may not be initially visible, but your veterinarian may be able to observe them in a clinical setting.

We should not try to treat any serious injuries. While we can provide first aid, administering treatment ourselves can put the animal in danger. The veterinary professional will not only know the treatment to provide, but they can use the most appropriate diagnostic techniques to assess the animal's needs. Taking your pet for emergency veterinary care can make the difference between life and death.

When we adopt a pet, it is important to ensure we take them to a veterinarian to create a suitable health program. This may include establishing vaccination and deworming schedules, as well providing regular checkups for different stages of development.

Our regular vet may not have an emergency service, so we should make sure to have information about your nearest emergency veterinary clinic before any accident occurs. There are also some mobile emergency services which provide a 24 hour vet at your door. These services are designed to cater to unforeseen health problems, something which is very useful if your pet is hit by a car since they can better minimize damage caused by traffic collisions.

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