After your dog falls, you may wonder how soon you should take them to the vet. The answer to this question depends on a few factors.
Severe falls may result in broken bones or tissue damage, which may require tissue surgery. This is why you should know how high your dog fell from and what type of surface they landed on.
What to Do When Your Dog Falls
If your dog falls and is yelping, crying, or showing signs of pain, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
If the fall doesn’t seem severe, you can offer your dog some pain medication and see how they respond in the next few hours. If they’re still in pain, it’s best to take them to the vet hospital for an examination.
But always remember to call your vet before giving any medications, even over-the-counter ones.
When to Wait and Watch
If your dog falls from a low height onto a soft surface, such as grass, there’s a good chance they won’t be injured. In this case, you can observe them for the next few hours to see if they develop any pain or swelling.
If everything seems normal after a few hours, you can assume that your dog is fine and doesn’t need to see the vet.
However, if your dog is older or has other health conditions, it’s always best to take them to the vet hospital for an examination. This way, you can be sure that there are no internal injuries.
When Is a Dog Fall an Emergency?
This may be considered an emergency if your dog falls from a great height or onto a hard surface. If you’re unsure whether or not the fall was severe, it’s always best to play safe and take your dog to the vet hospital right away, as this clinic in Tigard.
Other circumstances that may turn a fall into an emergency include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Applied pressure to the chest
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Open wounds or cuts
- Visible bone fractures
- Head trauma or seizures
Even if your dog looks okay after a fall, it’s always best to get them checked out by a professional to be safe.
At the Vet Hospital
When you arrive at the vet hospital, they will likely want to do a full physical examination of your dog. This helps them rule out any serious injuries. They may also require x-rays or other imaging tests to better look at your dog’s bones and tissues.
After the initial examination, the vet will let you know if your dog needs any further treatment or if they can go home.
In some cases, dogs may need to stay overnight for observation. This is usually the case for dogs with head injuries or broken bones.
Preventing Falls
The best way to prevent your dog from getting injured from falling is to keep them away from high places. If you reside in a multi-story home, ensure your dog stays on the ground floor. When you’re out and about, avoid taking your dog on hikes or walks where they may be exposed to steep drop-offs.
Discuss your concerns about your dog’s safety with your vet. They can offer tips and professional advice on keeping your pup safe from falls.
Ultimately, always choose an animal hospital with complete services, facilities, and diagnostic tests (such as this animal hospital specialty in Tigard) to ensure that your beloved pet is in good hands.
