Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty
  • Phone: 508-319-2117
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    • Emergency Care
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Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty
  • Our Services
    • Compounding Pharmacy
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency Care
    • Surgery
  • For Your Pet
    • Client Registration Form
    • Emergencies + Appointments
    • When Your Pet is a Patient
    • Client Portal
    • Pet Insurance
    • Payment Options
    • End of Life Arrangements
    • Clinical Studies
    • Refill a Compounded Medication
  • For Veterinary Teams
    • Referral Forms and Portal
    • At a Glance
    • Ethos Materials for Clinics
    • Continuing Education
    • VetBloom CE
    • Clinical Studies
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • About Us
    • Our Hospital
    • Our Team
    • Why Ethos
    • Ethos Discovery
    • Contact Us
  • Blogs & Videos
    • Our Blogs
    • PAWEDcasts
  • We’re Hiring!
    • Apply Today
    • Ethos Job Fairs
    • Benefits and Perks
    • Veterinary Training Programs
  • Phone: 508-319-2117

Our Blogs

What To Do If Your Pet is Hit by a Car

July 22, 2020
boston terrier bandaged foot

Written by Meghan Glazer, DVM

While families and pets are outside enjoying the summer, we can unfortunately see increased incidence of pets being hit by cars. Here are some things to consider if your pet has sustained a hit by car trauma.

Ensure your Personal Safety

As pet owners, it is our first instinct to run to an injured pet to console and evaluate them after a trauma. Following any injury, but especially a traumatic injury like a car accident, it is important to keep in mind that your pet is confused, painful and certainly upset. A dog or cat that would typically never bite or scratch can have a tendency to do so when scared or injured. Use some caution when approaching your pet. If you need to evaluate or lift your pet, ensure your own safety with an E-collar, muzzle, or blanket if needed.

What to do if there’s an Obvious Broken Bone, or Blood?

We recommend evaluation by a veterinarian. If you see an obvious broken bone, do your best to minimally move this portion of the body. Sometimes stabilizing your pet on a large piece of cardboard, a tarp, sheet, or a blanket can be helpful to prevent the need to directly lift them in/out of the car. Skin wounds/abrasions are common after being hit by a car – unless they are notably bleeding, oftentimes you can leave these open and uncovered until arrival to a veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.

I Think it’s Going to be Okay!

While it is always encouraging to see a pet walk away from a trauma seemingly unscathed, we always recommend having your pet evaluated by a veterinarian after being hit by a car. There are several types of serious internal injuries that can be initially masked by the adrenaline of the injury.

What to Expect When Arriving at an Emergency Veterinary Hospital

With any trauma patient, it is ideal to have an immediate evaluation by a veterinarian – you may hear the phrase “stat triage” upon arrival to the hospital. After evaluation by a veterinarian, it is likely that your pet will receive pain medication if needed, followed by a discussion with your family as to your pet’s injuries (or potential injuries). Potential injuries your pet could sustain from a hit by car trauma:

  • Chest trauma – bruising of the heart or lungs, rib fractures, air leakage into the chest space (pneumothorax)
  • Abdominal trauma – internal bleeding, ruptured urinary bladder
  • Nervous system trauma – traumatic brain injury from bleeding or swelling, spinal trauma
  • Fractures or dislocations of long bones or pelvis
  • Skin wounds/abrasions/bruises

Just as with any bruise on your arm or leg that gets worse with time, so too can some traumatic injuries, thus close monitoring of your pet will be discussed. Your veterinarian may recommend diagnostics, treatment, or event admit to the hospital after a traumatic injury/hit by car event.

Please call your nearest veterinary emergency hospital as quickly as possible if your pet has been hit by a car or sustained another traumatic injury. Our emergency and critical care staff is available 24/7 to provide care for your pet.

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Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty
508-319-2117 | 5 Strathmore Road Natick, MA 01760
  • Phone: 508-319-2117
  • Our Services
    • Compounding Pharmacy
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency Care
    • Surgery
  • For Your Pet
    • Client Registration Form
    • Emergencies + Appointments
    • When Your Pet is a Patient
    • Client Portal
    • Pet Insurance
    • Payment Options
    • End of Life Arrangements
    • Clinical Studies
    • Refill a Compounded Medication
  • For Veterinary Teams
    • Referral Forms and Portal
    • At a Glance
    • Ethos Materials for Clinics
    • Continuing Education
    • VetBloom CE
    • Clinical Studies
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • About Us
    • Our Hospital
    • Our Team
    • Why Ethos
    • Ethos Discovery
    • Contact Us
  • Blogs & Videos
    • Our Blogs
    • PAWEDcasts
  • We’re Hiring!
    • Apply Today
    • Ethos Job Fairs
    • Benefits and Perks
    • Veterinary Training Programs
© 2022 Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty
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Boston West is Closed on Saturdays

We are working hard to hire more team members and we will return to 24/7/365 as soon as we can. Please click the link to see a list of nearby veterinary emergency hospitals.

Our Hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Fridays: Open until 10 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Open from 7 a.m. onward.

Thank you for your kindness and understanding.

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