Helping a Hurt Dog Heal From a Hard Fall

Even when dogs are carefully supervised, injury can happen from an unexpected hard fall. Dogs of any size can fall off furniture, slip on ice, trip over a hole, or fall out of a vehicle when you attempt to unload them. Hitting a hard surface, such as wood or concrete floors, can cause an injury to bones, joints or soft tissue. However, you can lessen recovery time by providing the right care for the injured dog.

  1. Veterinarian Exam

    • X-ray the injured area to rule out a broken bone. Soft tissue injuries, such as a sprain, strain or tear, will not show up on an X-ray, but ruling out a bone injury can help a veterinarian determine what type of treatment will best help the dog. If the bone is broken, surgery may be required. At the very least, the vet may place a cast or splint on the bone to keep it immobile once the dog is home.

    Medications

    • The veterinarian may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication to help remove swelling from the injured area. This will ease pain and discomfort, and allow the dog to move a bit more easily when he needs to. If swelling is not present but the dog is obviously in pain, the vet may suggest an analgesic -- similar to aspirin -- instead for pain control. Follow the directions as prescribed by the veterinarian or the manufacturer on over-the-counter medications.

    Environment

    • Keep the dog in a contained area where he cannot run or jump, if possible. One example is a bathroom or larger closet that allows the dog plenty of room to lie down and stretch out, but keeps the dog's activities curtailed. Keep other pets and small children away from the dog, as well, during his recuperation. Provide soft bedding and keep the animal off of the hard floor, as this could cause additional discomfort to the injured area as well as the dog's joints. Provide plenty of fresh water and the vet-recommended amount of food to promote recovery. The dog should be allowed a quiet, restful place; recovery could take up to three weeks.

    Elimination

    • Do not allow the dog to go outside with other animals; he could sustain additional injuries from other dogs that attempt to play or even fight with him. Keep the dog on a short leash so that you can control his movements. Do not allow him outside without a leash even in a fenced-in area; he may attempt to run or jump and cause further injury.