8 Common Pet Injuries and How to Avoid Them
Pets are delightful, fun loving animals that enjoy exploring, playing and making the most of every day. However, just like us sometimes they can get hurt on their many adventures. Here are some of the most common pet injuries we see at Woofpurnay Veterinary Hospital, what to do and tips to avoid them.
Dog or cat fights
Fights are common between dogs and cats and can range from minor to serious depending on the animals involved. Sometimes the wounds can be more obvious, such as skin lacerations, bleeding wounds, bites, bruises and even broken bones. Other times the wounds may not be as visible such as internal injuries or neurological damage, which can sometimes occur when a smaller dog or cat is picked up and shaken by a larger dog.
What to do
If your pet has a fight wound, bring them into the vet as soon as possible. Pets carry bacteria in their mouths that can cause bite wounds to become infected if not treated quickly. To prevent further damage, transport them to the vet with as little movement possible and check with your vet for any other advice on caring for specific wounds during transport.
Tips to avoid
Keep pets indoors or in a secure fenced backyard or enclosure overnight.
Always spay or neuter your pets.
Keep your dog on a lead when taking them for walks, especially when there are unfamiliar dogs around.
Be mindful of visiting family with pets. Allow all pets some individual alone time and put highly desired toys away during the visit.
Foreign object or toxin ingestion
Pets like to explore the world, often with their mouths and as a result can sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. This can range from soft materials such as socks and stockings to hard objects such as pieces of plastic that don’t dissolve easily. If these items aren’t toxic, sometimes they can pass through their intestinal tract without any problem. However, if they are large or irregularly shaped, they can get stuck in the digestive system and result in your pet needing urgent veterinary attention.
Many plants, human medications, household chemicals and even common foods such as chocolate, grapes and raisons can be toxic to your pet and cause illness or even death. We have a range of blog posts about toxic items to look out for at certain times of the year, such as Easter, Spring, Halloween and Christmas.
What to do
If you suspect your pet has swallowed something toxic or is displaying signs of poisoning, contact us immediately on 03 8784 4444. If the item is not toxic your vet can offer advice on the risk of the item getting stuck and the most appropriate course of action.
Tips to avoid
Check your home for unsafe items and place them out of reach or dispose of them safely.
Make sure rubbish is inaccessible and immediately dispose of unsafe household scraps such as corn cobs, bones and fruit pips.
Be especially mindful of your pet during celebratory times of the year such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas when additional hazards are around.
Discuss appropriate chew toys with your vet and keep an eye on your pet when outdoors.
Insect stings or bites
Bites on pets from insects and other creepy crawlers such as ticks, ants, bees, wasps and spiders can range from mild irritation and pain to something more serious, such as anaphylactic shock. Pets are curious and playful so will often sniff, play with or chase an insect for fun, unaware of their painful bite.
What to do
Always get in touch with your vet immediately if you notice any serious bite symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, severe swelling, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, overall weakness or collapse. We have a range of articles under our pet care section for common signs and what to do about specific stings and bites including bees, ants and paralysis ticks.
Tips to avoid
Keep an eye on your pet when outdoors.
Make sure you are up to date with your pet’s parasite prevention.
Check your pet for ticks after walks in wooded or grassy areas.
Contact us if you need advice on the best parasite prevention program for your pet.
Torn or injured nail
Most pets will experience a torn or injured nail at least once in their lifetime and it can be quite painful. In the same way cuts and scrapes occur, your pet can easily catch their nail on something and injure themselves. Sometimes the nail splits down the middle, other times the nail partially breaks off past the nerve and blood supply. Either of these scenarios is quite painful and can result in excessive bleeding.
What to do
In many cases your vet will need to cut back and clean up your pets nails. This is typically done using local aesthetic or sedation to help your pet relax and to prevent additional pain. Once the bleeding is stopped, a bandage is generally applied and your pet will generally be sent home with medication to help heal, prevent infection and offer pain relief.
Tips to avoid
Keep your pet’s nails trimmed. Aside from getting caught between objects and torn, overly long nails can be harmful to your pets feet and can result in injury to ligaments, joints and postural development.
Keep an eye on your pet when outdoors, especially when walking over hard, uneven surfaces.
Cruciate ligament injury
A ruptured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is widely known as a common injury for professional and recreational athletes in the sporting world, but many don’t realise that they are also a common injury for dogs.
The cruciate ligament provides stability to the knee and can be injured when jumping or falling from a height. Whilst most cats are agile and nimble, excitable dogs can often experience ruptures of this ligament. Most dogs will hold their leg up or start limping when their cruciate ligament is ruptured.
What to do
Only your vet can determine if you dog has a cruciate injury. Fortunately, there are several surgical options available and the success rate is quite favourable.
Tips to avoid
Ensure your pet maintains a healthy weight
Offer your dog regular exercise, rather than just going for strenuous walks on the weekend, which can put their muscles and joints under extra stress.
Sprain or strains
“Sprains” involve damage to the ligaments that connect bones. Sprains can happen by taking a hard landing off the couch or even by stepping into a hole. The wrist and knee are common joints to sprain. “Strains” injure tendons that link muscles and bones. This can happen if your pet overstretches, such as a slip, fall or jump during normal play. Strains are common in hips and thighs.
What to do
The first warning sign of a sprain or strain is when your pet starts limping or they cannot use their leg. Both strains and sprains can be chronic (ongoing) or acute (sudden) and can range from mild to severe. As soon as you notice your pet is in pain, restrict their movement to prevent the injury getting worse.
Your vet will determine what kind of injury your pet has and a treatment plan which usually involves medication and rest. More serious injuries may require surgery.
Tips to avoid
Maintain a healthy weight for your pet and offer them regular exercise. Obesity and inactivity make these injuries more likely.
Eye trauma
Eye trauma occurs when something comes in contact with your pet’s eye and causes damage. This can be caused by an altercation with another animal, sharp objects such as tree branches, foreign bodies such as grass seeds or irritation from substances such as shampoos, dust or debris. Eye injuries range from mild to serious and can be generally diagnosed by your vet with simple tests.
What to do
Eye trauma can be quite painful. It is best to get it checked out by your vet if you notice any symptoms such as a noticeable wound on or around the eye, watery discharge, excessive blinking, squinting or shutting eyes. Your pet may show discomfort by rubbing their eye with their paw on or on the carpet.
Tips to avoid
Keep an eye on pets when outdoors, especially in areas with shrubs and bushes.
Take time to introduce your pets at home, especially if you have cat/s to reduce the chance of cat swipes.
Mouth trauma or fractured tooth
Pets can experience mouth trauma or fracture their teeth when they chew on hard objects such stones and bones or from external trauma such as being hit by a car or other objects.
What to do
Take your pet to the vet if you notice them chewing on one side, drooling, having difficulty eating, pawing at their mouth or showing signs of discomfort in the mouth. These are all common signs of tooth fracture or mouth trauma.
Tips to avoid
Check your pets chew toys and discard any that are damaged or don’t readily bend. You can ask your vet for safe alternatives.
Oral care is also important for your pet. Regular dental examinations and cleaning your pet’s teeth are some of the ways you can monitor and maintain your pets oral health.
Pets love to play and explore, but sometimes this can lead to accidents and injuries. Your pet will have the best chance of healing if you take action and seek veterinary care when needed. For veterinary care or emergency support call us on 03 8784 4444.