What Should I Do If My Pet Gets Injured?

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Do you know the signs when your dog or cat has been injured? Pets can be harmed due to fights with other pets, paw burns or cuts, fractures and ligament injuries, or tendon injuries. 

Extreme weather conditions, such as the blistering hot sun and freezing ice, can cause burns on your pet’s paw pads, as the bare pavement can be brutal for your dog or cat. Tendon injuries or sprains can be caused by overexertion during play or exercise and should be looked at by a vet.

Cruciate ligament injuries typically require surgery to repair the limb. In this article, you will learn some common pet injuries and how to respond to them. 

Common Pet Injuries

No pet parent would like to see their furry friend hurt. Injuries can be painful for your pet, and you should seek help as soon as possible. There are not only ways to respond to these injuries; there are also things you can do to avoid them. 

Paw Pad Burns 

Paw pad injuries can be due to extreme temperatures. You may walk your dog or cat in the summer heat or in the winter when the sidewalk is icy, and it causes painful burns to your pet’s paw pads. There are some signs to look for if you suspect your pet has injured their delicate little paws:

• Swelling of the foot
• Bleeding from the paw pad
• Sudden lameness or limping
• Licking or biting at the paw 
• Visible cut or object in the paw
• Discoloration or redness of the paw 

To prevent your precious pup or furry feline from paw pad burns when they are outside walking, try a pair of good booties. These adorable shoes make your dog look stylish while providing a barrier between their paws and the ground.   

Paw balm can heal damaged paws and restore moisture when inclement weather strikes. To avoid this problem in hot weather, walk your dog (or cat) early in the morning or late in the evening. Temperatures are at their peak in the middle part of the day. 

Paw Pad Cuts 

Stepping on glass or even an encounter with gritty rock can lead to cuts on the paw. If there is a cut on your furry friend’s paw, you must administer first aid to treat the injury. Wash with warm water, and once the area is free of debris, sterilize with antibiotic ointment, which you can get from your vet. You can also wrap the paw in gauze or use the booties to keep the paw covered. 

Tendon Injuries Or Sprains

Dogs sometimes overexert themselves during exercise, causing ligament injury or sprain. If you have a puppy, it is especially important to protect them from too much exercise because they are at higher risk for joint or bone damage. PDSA explains that their “joints need time to mature.” Therefore, taking them out for a run is “too intense for their growing bones.” 

Fractures

A break or crack in the bone is termed a fracture. A break can be sustained if your pet is hit by a car, falls from a great height, or gets into a fight with another animal. There are some crucial signs of a fracture or broken bone in pets: 

• Deformed limb 
• Decreased appetite
• Swelling or bruising
• Abnormal movement
• Bones sticking out from the skin
• Vocalization (excessive crying)

If you suspect your dog or cat has a broken bone, do not hesitate to get them to the emergency vet. Broken bones can precipitate a lot of pain. For example, if your cat has a fractured bone, it could even be painful for them to groom themselves. 

Surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. If the fracture is severe enough, amputation may be warranted. Sometimes, all the vet needs to do is stabilize with a splint or cast. Your vet will give you instructions for at-home care. 

Cruciate Ligament Injury

The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation explains that a cruciate ligament injury is “Similar to a torn ACL in humans.” The cruciate ligament stabilizes the knee. If it ruptures, “abnormal movement of the joint occurs, resulting in extreme pain.” It becomes challenging to bear weight on the knee. 

If your canine or feline companion is limping, take them to the vet. Surgery is usually the treatment for repairing the injury so they can function as normally as possible. Surgery should not be postponed, as it can lead to arthritis. In addition to surgery, physical therapy will be required to help your pet recover.    

Conclusion 

Several types of injuries can occur in dogs and cats. Paw pad burns are often the result of weather conditions in either extreme. Paw pad cuts can be caused by an object injuring the paw. Tendon injuries or sprains often occur due to too vigorous exercise. Fractures are usually the outcome of trauma. 

Cruciate ligament injuries happen due to the destabilization of the knee. It is important that if you see your pet in pain, get them to the vet as soon as you can. Broken bones and ligament injuries are more urgent, but anything that causes your animal companion pain should be addressed with seriousness, care, and love.  

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