What To Do If Your Dog Gets Hit By A Car

Your dog escaped the house and wandered off. Or perhaps they were hoping out of the car or crossing the street into incoming traffic. Then the worst happens. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Although the thought of having your dog getting hit by a car is scary, it’s good to be prepared and know what to do should you be stuck in this high-stress situation.

What To Do When Your Dog Is Hit By A Car

Your pup has been hit by a car. What should you do? Fido is laying there and you can tell something is wrong. The most obvious solution is to take your dog to the emergency vet immediately. But be extremely careful when handling your dog so as not to exacerbate the pup’s injuries. Call the emergency vet while you are en route and let them know you are on the way. The vet will want information that they will need to treat your dog on arrival and can also advise you on emergency treatment.

Dogs that are in shock and pain may scratch or bite when they wouldn’t otherwise. In that situation, having an emergency muzzle on hand might be necessary. If you’re thinking, “my dog was hit by a car but seems fine” this can be tricky. Ultimately, you should call your dog’s vet and talk to them about what’s best. Your vet will have more appropriate recommendations for you than we do because each dog and scenario is different.

The video below has some tips for what to do if your dog gets hit by a car and how to properly move him.

Cost Of Treatment For A Dog Hit By A Car

The cost to have your dog treated for being hit by a car will vary depending on the severity of the dog’s injuries. If your pup was grazed by a car traveling at a slow speed, then a routine vet exam might be all that is required. However, if your dog was struck full-on and is unable to walk (or worse), then you could be looking at thousands of dollars in emergency veterinary care costs.

Proactively getting pet insurance can help defray these costs and, depending on your financial situation, might even provide the resources to save your dog’s life.

Real-Life Injury And Recovery Story

• Vet Bill: $2,099.64
• Pets Best Pet Insurance Paid: $1,589.65
• After the $100 Deductible and $397.41 Copay

Very pleased with the prompt payment. My dog was hit by a car and required surgery for a broken arm. I would not have been able to have her arm repaired without Pets Best. We were at the vet for multiple visits including an ER and I received payment within days of submitting my claims.

-Priscilla S. Insured by Pets Best since 2016

Read our in-depth review of Pets Best Pet Insurance

Dog Hit By Car Injuries

First of all, it’s important to have your emergency veterinarian’s contact information on hand for any emergency. You should contact your emergency vet for life and death situations as well as any other issues that cannot wait until your dog can be seen during regular veterinarian hours. If your dog is hit by a car, it’s important to know what to watch for. Below are common injuries and dog hit by car symptoms.

Bone Fractures

Bone fractures are the most common dog hit by car injuries. A bone fracture occurs when the limb experiences a sudden force, which causes the bone to crack. As a result, internal bleeding may occur because the bone can puncture other organs or blood vessels. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, and inability to move the limb. Treatment of a bone fracture can depend on the location and type of fracture, but a splint, cast, plates, screws, and pins are commonly used to stabilize the bone and help it heal. Surgery may be required for more severe bone fractures as well as pain meds to help with recovery.

Muscle Sprains

Muscle sprains occur in less severe collisions, but your dog should still see a vet. Failure to see a vet can result in lameness and reduced mobility. Symptoms of muscle sprains include swelling, pain, limping, or the inability to move the limb itself. Diagnosis consists of a physical exam by a vet and an x-ray. The solution to healing a muscle sprain includes splinting the joint and prescribing anti-inflammatory medications, but in some cases, surgery may be required.

Dog Hit By Car Survival Rate

We don’t have an exact statistic for your dog’s survival rate if he was hit by a car. His survival rate is based on the injuries he sustained, which can vary in severity. Once your dog’s vet has diagnosed his injuries, your vet may be able to give you a survival rate.

My Dog Got Hit By A Car

I was in elementary school when we got our dog, Lucky. She was a beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever puppy and was full of energy. We had her for just a few weeks when I came home from school, and my mom told me the terrible news. Lucky had been hit by the garbage truck. My heart ached at the loss of her. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something I could’ve done to save her had I been with her. I would’ve loved to at least held her during her final breath. My parents laid her to rest on our property, and I visited her to show my respects.

Losing a dog is never easy — it doesn’t matter if you are with them during their final moments or not. The days, weeks, and even months afterward are difficult to face. If you have lost your pet and are struggling with grief and mourning your furry friend we recommend reading our article about dealing with the loss of a pet. There are many emotions you’ll be facing, and we’d be happy to help you through the grieving process.