Signs of Internal Injuries of a Dog

Dogs and puppies can suffer internal injuries from fights with other dogs, from abuse, from swallowing a foreign object like a rock or from a traffic accident. Dogs that are suspected of having internal injuries need to be taken to a vet immediately. Move a large dog by having two people get a blanket or flat surface. Roll or lift the dog onto the blanket and lift that instead of the dog.

  1. Vomiting Blood

    • "The Veterinarian's Guide To Your Dog's Symptoms" notes that a common symptom of internal injury is that the dog may vomit up blood. The blood may or may not be mixed with food, depending on whether or not the dog was digesting food at the time of the injury. The blood may be bright red but it can also be darker, and will be a noticeable amount, not just tiny spots. The dog may also have bloody diarrhea or pass blood in the urine, depending on what organs were injured.

    External Injury

    • According to the Colorado College of Veterinary Medicine, injury to the external body of the dog leads to a high probability that the internal organs are injured, too. This can be seen in obvious gaping wounds, small puncture wounds, appearance of bones or in areas underneath bruises. Bruises are a sign of bleeding under the skin. If the dog does not want you to touch the bruise, he is in pain and may bite because of the pain, so try to muzzle him if possible. The dog may cry, whine or scream when touched.

    Coordination Problems

    • Dogs with injuries to the spine or head may have coordination problems, according to "The Veterinarian's Guide To Your Dog's Symptoms." They may not be able to walk, stand up or turn around but may still be conscious. Chances are that whatever impact damaged a bone or nerve to cause coordination problems, may have damaged the organs too.

    Shock

    • Shock can be from blood loss or from internal organs shutting down. The dog's breathing becomes erratic or escalates into hyperventilation; the heart rate quickens; gums turn from a healthy salmon-pink to white; the pulse becomes rapid yet progressively harder and harder to feel. Other symptoms include uncontrollable shivering; seizures; disorientation (the dog cannot recognize its master or walks into walls); collapse; or loss of consciousness. The dog's body temperature will also begin to drop and keep dropping until veterinary intervention or death.