How to Recognize if a Puppy is Injured After a Fall

Although dogs are often carefully protected by their owners, accidents can still happen. One of the most common causes of injury in dogs is falling. Dogs may seem quite agile, but a fall can cause serious injuries just like with other animals. Some dogs may get overly excited and jump out of windows from high floors or from car windows while the vehicle is moving. Knowing how to assess the situation and relay the information to the vet will be invaluable in ensuring your dog receives proper care after a fall.

Stay Calm. You might feel panicked when you see your pet fall, but try to stay calm so you can assess your dog's condition properly and also help them remain calm. This will prevent additional stress or worsening injuries. If your dog senses your fear, it will become more anxious, hurt, and stressed out.

Look for signs of injury. After your dog falls, calmly check for visible injuries. Only inspect visually and avoid touching your dog. Evaluating the level of injury will help you decide on the next steps. Watch for these signs of injury:

• If the dog is crying, it’s a clear indication of pain.
• Examine the body for external wounds such as cuts, scrapes, or bones sticking out.
• Check the front and back legs. If there’s a broken bone, the leg may appear deformed, bent, or in an abnormal position.
• Sometimes fractures can’t be detected by sight. If the dog is limping for more than 5 minutes, you should take it to the vet.
• When injured, a dog may breathe faster than normal. Watch for an extended increase in breathing rate.
• Not all injuries are visible. Only a vet can determine if there are internal injuries.
• Examine the gums. Pale or white gums indicate shock or internal bleeding, which is a serious condition requiring immediate veterinary care.

Administer first aid. If you find that your dog is injured, you can provide basic first aid to prevent further damage while transporting it to the vet. Be sure to only proceed with first aid if your dog is comfortable with it. Pain and stress may cause your dog to growl or even bite, so move slowly and watch for signs of discomfort.

• If your dog can’t move, lay it down on a flat, stable surface before lifting it.
• Don’t attempt to treat severe injuries yourself. Leave that to the vet.
• Clean shallow cuts or abrasions with saline solution.
• Apply clean gauze to heavily bleeding areas to help stop the bleeding.

Contact and transport the dog to the vet. After evaluating the situation and administering first aid, it’s time to contact the vet and get your dog examined. The vet will assess and treat your dog’s injuries in the best possible way.

• If the injury is severe, take your dog to the vet’s office for emergency care immediately.
• Even if the injuries don’t seem life-threatening, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
• Even if no external injuries are visible, a vet can check for internal injuries or harder-to-detect wounds.

Inform the vet about the accident. Upon arrival at the vet, you’ll need to provide accurate details about the accident so they can treat your dog as quickly and efficiently as possible.

• Tell the vet exactly when and how the dog fell.
• Inform the vet about any injury signs you’ve observed.
• Let the vet know what first aid measures you’ve already taken.
• If applicable, provide information about your dog’s past injuries or surgeries.
• Be ready to offer basic information about your dog, including age, medications, and other health concerns.

Be aware of the tests the vet may perform. The vet may conduct various tests to diagnose and apply medical techniques to treat your dog's injuries. Here are some common steps in the evaluation and treatment process:

• A basic physical exam will help the vet identify any external injuries and assess the dog’s overall health.
• Movement tests to check for injuries to bones, joints, muscles, or other mobility issues, which may include X-ray imaging.
• A neurological exam if the dog’s head was impacted during the fall. If the dog is moving abnormally or seems disoriented, this test will help determine if there’s any nerve damage.

Follow the vet's instructions. Once your dog has been stabilized and is ready to go home, the vet will provide instructions on how to care for your dog at home. It’s essential to follow these directions closely to ensure a swift and full recovery.

• If your dog needs medication, administer it at the correct times and doses, making sure your dog finishes the prescribed course.
• Regularly change the dressings if needed.
• You may need to apply ice or heat to the injured area to help with recovery.
• Make sure your dog rests and limit its activity while the injury heals.

Close the car windows. If your dog enjoys car rides with you, don’t forget this simple safety step to keep them safe. While most of us hesitate to jump out of a moving car, dogs won’t think twice about it. Always ensure the windows are rolled up to prevent your dog from jumping out.

• You can also purchase a dog-specific seatbelt to keep your dog secure while traveling.
• Disable the automatic window function to prevent your dog from accidentally opening the window.
• Never leave your dog in a locked car on hot days. The temperature inside the car can rise quickly, which could be fatal.

Close the windows in your house. One of the most common causes of dogs falling is from open windows they can climb through. Even with window screens, your dog might still try to escape, putting itself at risk of falling. Make sure to fully close or secure all windows your dog can reach or climb out of, preventing any chance of an accident.

Prevent your dog from falling inside the house. You should keep your dog away from areas within the house that could pose a risk of falling, ensuring its safety.

• For example, places where dogs are prone to falling include steep stairs, attics without railings, and balconies.
• Always keep the doors to these areas closed.
• You can install pet gates to block access to stairs or doorways in the house.
• Avoid allowing your dog into areas inside the house where falling hazards are present.

Take your dog to the vet if it falls for no apparent reason. If you notice your dog stumbling and falling without a clear cause, take it to the vet as soon as possible. This could indicate an underlying health issue, and the vet will diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment options.

• Ear issues or ear infections can cause a dog to lose balance and fall.
• Brain tumors, which are more common in older dogs, can also lead to falling.

• Don’t assume that your dog isn’t injured just because it’s wagging its tail after a fall. Dogs often hide their pain and injuries, making it hard to tell if they are hurt.
• When in pain, a dog may bite, even if you're its owner, so be cautious.
• If your dog falls, take it to the vet immediately.