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Road traffic accidents (RTA)
EMERGENCY
If your pet has been hit by a car, contact your nearest vet
straight away.
Even if they seem okay, there could be serious injuries that
you can’t see on the surface.
What to do if your pet has just been hit by a
car
Stay calm. It will reassure your pet.
Take your pet to the vet. Call ahead to tell them what time
you will arrive and if your pet has any obvious injuries such
as difficulty breathing, bleeding or broken bones. Cats and
small pets should travel in a box for their own safety.
Hold them still. Whilst moving your pet, keep their back
straight in case they have a neck or spinal injury. Use a board
or a blanket to safely move your pet, a towel will help with
smaller dogs and cats.
Keep them warm. After an accident your pet might suffer
from shock. Keep them as warm as possible.
Prevent bites. If your pet is scared or confused, they may
bite. If this is the case, consider using a temporary muzzle to
protect yourself until they have calmed down. Never use a
muzzle if your pet is having trouble breathing or has an injury
to their face.
pdsa.org.uk © The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals 12/18 Registered charity nos. 208217 & SC037585
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Unsure if your pet has been hit?
If your pet has come home out of sorts, and you think they may
have been injured in a road accident check them for:
Bleeding
Split claws
Limping or stiffness
Breathing problems (hard, fast, shallow)
Low energy (lethargy)
Sleeping more than usual
Pain (growling, crying, off food, guarding an area of their
body)
Seem in shock (pale mouth, cold feet and ears)
Common injuries
Head
Head injuries can cause very serious problems including
epilepsy and skull and brain damage.
Internal injuries and bleeding
Damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, spleen,
lungs, heart and bladder. Internal bleeding isn’t always
obvious to begin with.
Burst bladder is particularly common in cats after a road
traffic injuries accident.
Ruptured diaphragm
Cats commonly rupture (burst) their diaphragm if they are
hit by a car.
The diaphragm is a thin muscle that separates the chest
from the abdomen (stomach). If it’s damaged, blood or
guts often fill the chest and breathing can be seriously
affected.
pdsa.org.uk © The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals 12/18 Registered charity nos. 208217 & SC037585
PetWise Pet Health Hub - brought to you thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery2/4
This injury is rare in dogs.
Spinal injuries
Damage to the back and spine can lead to your pet
becoming paralysed.
Broken bones
Broken bones are a common road traffic accident injury.
Wounds
Wounds including grazes, friction burns, cuts, bruises and
degloving wounds where skin is pulled off the legs.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the injuries your pet has suffered. Your
vet may need to admit your pet into the hospital to give pain relief
and put them on a drip (lifesaving fluids given directly into their
blood stream).
Your vet will treat life threatening injuries first, for example
damage to internal organs, shock or severe bleeding. Once your
pet is stable, they will treat other injuries like broken bones and
wounds.
Surgery might be needed to fix broken bones, damaged organs
or wounds.
Outlook
Recovery might take a few days or many weeks, depending on
how serious your pet’s injuries are.
Serious skin wounds can take weeks to heal, need regular vet
checks and special dressings. Skin reconstruction is sometimes
necessary.
pdsa.org.uk © The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals 12/18 Registered charity nos. 208217 & SC037585
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Broken bones often need complex surgery and long recovery
periods, sometimes even physiotherapy to help them walk again.
Sadly, very badly injured pets may not survive their injuries, even
if they get vet treatment. Head, spine and chest injuries are often
very serious and cause fatal damage that can’t be fixed.
Preventing road traffic accidents
There are many things pet owners can do to reduce the chance
of their pet bring hit by a car:
Road safety for dogs
Road safety for cats
Male cats who are not neutered (not castrated) have a much
higher chance of being hit by a car. This is because they roam
over large areas and cross busy roads in search of a female cat.
Make sure your cat is neutered.
Microchipping is very important. A microchip means you will be
reunited with your pet if they are taken to the vets by a member
of the public after a road traffic accident.
Cost
Treatment for a road traffic accident can cost thousands of
pounds (depending on the treatment needed). Always speak to
your vet if you can’t afford the treatment they have
recommended, there may be other options. If you are struggling
with veterinary fees, PDSA offers free or reduced cost treatment
to eligible clients. Having pet insurance will help to pay any
unexpected vet bills and help to provide the best possible care
for your furry friend. Always check what level of cover you have
and whether it is a ‘lifelong’ policy.
Published Sept 2018
pdsa.org.uk © The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals 12/18 Registered charity nos. 208217 & SC037585
PetWise Pet Health Hub - brought to you thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery4/4