Trauma and Road Accidents

A calm hand prevents a second injury

Road accidents, falls and bites are among the most serious emergencies we see. In the first minutes, the way you handle your pet matters almost as much as how quickly you reach us. A frightened, painful animal may react unpredictably, and hurried handling can worsen spinal, chest or limb injuries.

The aim of first aid in trauma is simple: keep your pet safe, keep them still, control obvious bleeding, and get them to us without delay. Please call ahead so we can prepare for your arrival.

What counts as major trauma

Some injuries are obvious, but treat any of the following as serious and seek veterinary help at once.

• Road traffic accidents, even if your pet walks away
• Falls from a height, such as a balcony or roof
• Dog bites, cat bites and deep or dirty wounds
• Being struck, kicked or crushed
• Severe or spurting bleeding, or a wound that will not close
• A suspected broken bone, dragging limb or inability to stand

Warning signs of hidden injury or shock

Internal injuries are not always visible. Watch for these signs even if there is no open wound.

• Rapid, shallow or laboured breathing
• Pale, grey or white gums
• Cold paws and ears, or a weak, fast pulse
• Collapse, confusion or extreme drowsiness
• A swollen, tender or distended abdomen
• Vomiting, drooling or coughing up blood
• Bruising or bleeding from the nose, mouth or ears

First aid on the way to us

What not to do

Do not give food, water or human painkillers — they can interfere with treatment and some are toxic. Do not try to reset a broken bone or push protruding tissue back in. Do not remove an impaled object. Do not slap or shake your pet to rouse them, and do not assume that because they got up and walked, they are unharmed.

If your pet has stopped breathing, call us for guidance while you travel. We will tell you what to do based on what you are seeing.

What to tell us when you call

Tell us what happened and when, whether your pet is conscious and breathing, whether they can stand, where the obvious wounds are, and roughly how much blood has been lost. Mention any known medical conditions and their approximate weight.

If you can do so safely, send a photo of the wound while someone else drives. Every detail helps us prepare.

Prevention and when to call immediately

Keep gates and doors secure, walk dogs on a lead near roads, and microchip so a lost pet can be reunited with you. Keep cats indoors at night, where they face the greatest risk.

Call us immediately for any accident or blow to the body — even if your pet seems to recover within minutes. After trauma, internal bleeding and organ injury can worsen quietly, and early assessment is far safer than waiting for signs to develop.