Dogs, being the adventurous pets that they are, are likely to experience injuries once or twice in their life. Sometimes this can lead to unfortunate accidents, such as broken bones or bleeding. Fortunately, veterinary medicine has advanced significantly.
Stem cell clinics in East Stroudsburg, PA and other parts of the world have a wider variety of options to help your dog recover, such as conventional therapies and more. Of course, prevention is better than cure.
So here’s a common list of injuries dogs can have and how to avoid them.
Major Trauma
Major trauma is multiple injuries to the body, and can cause any of the following: head trauma, bone fractures or dislocation, internal injuries, and more. It is usually caused by getting hit by a car or falling from a height.
If your dog experiences major trauma, administer first aid if you can, and bring them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. To keep your dog safe, make sure that they are leashed and tied to a post if they are outdoors.
If they are indoors, make sure to keep them from the balcony using a gate or barricade. During road trips, keep them in a restraint, so they don’t fall out of the car.
Eye Injury
Eye injuries happen when a dog gets involved in a fight with another dog or forcefully pushes through a plant that then accidentally pokes their eyes. It is also possible to get eye injuries when a dog hangs its head outside the car and gets dust and debris into their eyes.
This then causes redness, swelling, excess discharge, or tearing of the eye. If you notice these symptoms, make sure that your dog gets medical attention.
Oral Injury
Oral injuries can be obtained when a dog chews on sticks, bones, or other sharp objects. Another potential risk is having the object lodged in their teeth, which causes not only discomfort but also additional injuries.
Treatment is usually medications, but if the injury is severe and there are large lacerations of tooth fractures, surgery might be needed.
Torn Toenail
Torn toenails happen if a dog’s nails catch on something, such as a grate or grill in a metal cage. It’s painless if the nail fracture occurs far from the quick. However, if the toenail splits down the middle or breaks of beyond the quick, your dog will experience great pain and require immediate medical attention.
To avoid this injury, always trim your dog’s nails and make sure to watch where they walk.
Tail Injury
These can happen when a dog’s tail gets caught somewhere, bitten, or stepped on. In this case, treatment is hard because dogs use their tails to express their emotions. Once they are able to move it, they will definitely start wagging it again.
On the other hand, dogs can get limber tail syndrome, where their tail hangs limply for no apparent reason. This can be the result of a sprain, or overexertion of the tail from swimming.
If you have an energetic and playful dog, it might be a bit harder to avoid these injuries. However, a little bit of mindfulness and care shouldn’t be a hassle when it comes to keeping your dog safe since they also give back in the form of happiness and companionship.