In dire moments, your brain freezes. You don’t know how to react when someone you love gets hurt, and it takes a moment to recover from the shock of knowing something bad happened. It’s challenging to deal with canine injuries, mainly because your dog can’t tell you what happened and where he’s hurting if it’s not apparent.

Any injury your dog has should be taken seriously, so you shouldn’t ever think you’re overreacting in terms of care. Canine athletes are prone to sprains and strains, but all injuries are abnormal and a greater cause for concern if you haven’t had to deal with them before.

As much as it may hurt to see your pup in pain, you can handle it as long as you know which steps to take.

1. Consider the Injury

What kind of injury did you find on your dog? Is it a bite or another type of mangling? Is your dog bleeding? If it looks urgent, you might try to put pressure on the wound or create a tourniquet to stop the bleeding while taking your dog to the emergency vet.

If there’s no blood, pay attention to how your dog is acting. He might be limping or seem hesitant to put pressure on one of his limbs. You should see how your dog reacts when you touch the injured area.

Head injuries are the most serious because of possible damage to the brain. If your dog demonstrates the following, you should take her promptly to the vet:

●      Loss of consciousness

●      Vomiting

●      Inability to walk

●      A drastic change in pupil size

In some cases, you can call the veterinarian and implement their advice at home rather than going in person to get your pup checked out.

2. Stay Calm

You’ve probably noticed that your dog reacts a certain way when you’re upset. Moments of panic are no different — he will know if you’re frightened, and it’ll scare him, too. Try your best to assess the situation without panicking. You will only make your dog more emotional and likely to stress out.

Speak calmly to your dog for both his safety and yours. Your dog is under enough stress since he became injured, and while you might be internally upset, you have to be strong.

A dog may also show signs of irritation because of the pain he’s feeling. Your pup baring its teeth or snapping in your direction is typical in that case. If you can’t examine the wound without your dog getting irritated, you may have to muzzle him or restrain him gently.

3. Don’t Unintentionally Hurt Your Dog

Your dog is a family member, and it’s natural to want to comfort her when she’s upset. Use your voice to soothe them, not your hugs. Not all dogs enjoy hugs, and putting that pressure on her may cause her stress levels to rise or physically hurt her more, even if you didn’t mean to.

If you’ve called the vet and need to head in immediately, you might find it difficult to lift a larger dog. In cases where your large dog can’t move on her own, lift her carefully, preferably on a makeshift stretcher made with whatever flat surface you can find. Take care to keep her still and not twist her so as not to cause any further injury.

4. Know When to Call the Vet

Even if your dog isn’t actively bleeding, you need to know when his symptoms may call for a run to the emergency vet. How is his breathing? Can he stand on his own? Is he limping? You know how your dog regularly behaves and when it is best to involve the professionals.

If it’s an injury you have to question, always call the vet to ensure the at-home treatment you’re going to give your pup will be good enough. You might be surprised and need to take your dog in anyway.

5. Make a Plan for Emergencies

If this ever happens again, you need to know the nearest vet’s office and emergency locations ahead of time. Have their numbers programmed in your phone for ease of access. Similarly, you should brush up on common dog injuries so you know how better to take care of your pup and your mental health.

Know what your dog is at risk for, whether genetically or through his daily activities. If you have an emergency plan in place for when an accident occurs in the future, you will spend less time panicking and more time acting. Making the most of those minutes after you discover your dog’s injury is essential.

Solutions for Recovering Dogs

Your vet may employ various methods to ensure your dog excels in her recovery journey. The vet might order a rigorous rest schedule, which may be hard to stick to if you have an active pup. You may also receive antibiotics or other medicine to administer in the case of an attack by another animal.

Vets might also recommend a pet leg brace that will help your furry family member heal in no time. Braces can be permanent or temporary and can support anything from post-surgery pain management to standing in the place of a natural leg.

Your vet may also consider putting your dog on medications or dietary changes that can last a lifetime, depending on how the injury occurred. You should plan to keep a well-stocked first-aid kit for future accidents with things such as gauze, a muzzle and more.

Keep Your Pup Safe

Plan to watch your dog for a while after her accident. Notice how she interacts with the world around her and keep an eye out for anything that might go awry. Every experience is a lesson, and even though your pup’s injury may have been harrowing, it will better prepare you for any possible future accidents and teach you to manage crises more effectively.