What are Internal Injuries?
An open wound can sometimes be easier to deal with because it is visible and the solution might be relatively straightforward for your veterinarian to determine. But internal injuries can be harder to deal with, and internal bleeding caused either by a car accident, a fall from a high vantage point, fighting, or disease can produce severe trauma to your dog’s body and they may go into shock.
If you know the cause of your dog’s distress it will be quicker to diagnose and treat, but no matter what the cause your dog needs veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
Internal injuries may come from your dog being hit by a car causing trauma, due to dog fights, or additionally, some diseases cause internal bleeding and injury.
Symptoms of Internal Injuries in Dogs
- Early signs can be a rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing
- Depression
- Black diarrhea
- Gum change in colors – pale or blue is very serious
- Your dog may go into a coma indicating shock
- Whimpering on being touched or moved
- Glazed eyes
- Inability to focus
- Coughing or vomiting up blood
- Bruising or scrape wounds
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Heart attack
Types
- Sudden trauma can cause internal injuries; contact with a moving vehicle, falls, dog fights and sadly, human abuse can all cause internal injury within your dog.
- Trauma can cause damages to the internal organs, broken bones including the neck and spine, and internal bleeding that can cause your pet to go into shock
- Apart from trauma, there are varying types of medical conditions such as a tumor, or damages to the spleen (common in older dogs) that can cause internal injury
- Poisons are also known to cause types of internal damage and internal bleeding
Causes of Internal Injuries in Dogs
- Falls off a deck or balcony – dogs can suffer internal damages during falls from high elevations; this is becoming more common as more people and their dogs live in high-rise apartments
- Poisons like rat bait or human medications contain anticoagulants that prevent the blood from clotting which can cause internal damages and bleeding
- Fractures of bones - for example the spine, that can cause damage to internal organs
- Tumors of the spleen or other areas can cause internal bleeding
- Trauma – your dog gets hit violently by a vehicle in an accident
- Lacerations of the kidney, spleen or liver are quite common
- Attack from another dog or dogs
- Abuse by humans
Diagnosis of Internal Injuries in Dogs
If your dog has been hit by a vehicle or fallen from a height, you need to get your pet to the veterinarian immediately. Using an old door or a plank makes an ideal platform to maneuver your dog onto and offers support while being transported to the clinic. If you know the cause of your dog’s situation then that will help your veterinarian to diagnose what is wrong. Whether it was a physical injury, or caused by ingesting a poisonous substance, or some other cause, at least that will give your pet specialist something to start on immediately.
A thorough physical examination will be done unless your dog is in urgent need of life giving support first. If your dog is going into shock, immediate action will be taken by your veterinarian to avoid damages to the internal organs. Depending on your pet’s situation, diagnostic tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), X-rays, abdominal radiographs, electrocardiogram (EKG) and a serum chemistry profile. While broken bones are obvious signs of trauma, it is the internal damage that is vital to determine. Bleeding internally from punctured organs needs urgent attention.
Treatment of Internal Injuries in Dogs
The treatment will depend on the cause of the injury. Trauma via vehicle injuries may require that your dog is hospitalised, especially at the beginning of treatment. Oxygen therapy and intravenous fluids may be required. Medication for any pain will help and your specialist may recommend a course of antibiotics. Your dog may also need antiarrhythmic drugs if his heart is beating erratically which is a symptom of stress and trauma. Other treatment may require blood transfusions if your pet has lost a lot of blood.
Surgery may be required in the case of disease (cancer and tumors), broken bones (especially spinal bones or neck bones) and other injuries that your dog may have. Poisons need careful attention to remove or limit the amount of damage that they can do to your dog’s system. Your veterinarian will be able to advise on the correct treatment from the results of the diagnostic tests. The first few days are the most crucial, and your specialist may keep your dog in hospital until he is confident that the treatment is working.
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Recovery of Internal Injuries in Dogs
Your pet will be limited to rest and recovery with exercise restrictions during the first few weeks of rehabilitation from his accident or illness. If the damage has been extensive, your pet may be restricted to a cage to prevent too much movement. Any bandages must be kept clean and dry. Wounds should be checked for redness, swelling or discharge material. Internal injuries may restrict the diet; soft easy to digest food is best.
If your pet has suffered external wounds as well, they may have stitches and you need to ensure your pet will not annoy them and damage themselves. Poison victims may feel quite low for a few weeks but hopefully if they haven’t suffered too much due to the internal injuries they will bounce back after a short time. Always follow your veterinarian’s advice and treatment guidelines to enable your pet to heal quicker.
Internal Injuries Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Labrador Retriever
Five Years
15 found this helpful
15 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea, Bloody Stool, Mucous In Stool, Frequent Defecation
Poss. Abd. Trauma/GI upset or imbalance
July 5, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
15 Recommendations
Hello, this could be many different things a few common things that it could be are HGE or gastroenteritis. Both would need your dog to see a vet for medication to help them recover. I would recommend taking your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
July 5, 2021
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Coton de Tulear
Twelve Months
13 found this helpful
13 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
he got attacked by another do no visible symptoms just worried about the no visible
June 20, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
13 Recommendations
Hello if there is no obvious puncture wounds or laceration you can just keep watching him to see if he shows any signs of distress
June 20, 2021
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Yorkipoo
One Year
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting, Shallow Breathing,Unable To Stand Or Walk,
What is going on with my one year old puppy? is this a sign of poison or sign of disease or internal injuries.
June 6, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
2 Recommendations
These symptoms are hugely concerning and you need to bring your pet to see a vet immediately.
These signs are not specific to any one condition but I agree we would need to consider toxin ingestion, systemic disease, an injury etc.
The vet will examine him and may run some tests such as a blood test and urine test.
Treatment will depend on what is going on and may include e.g intravenous fluids and anti inflammatories and pain relief.
June 13, 2021
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Shih Tzu
Nine Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Stumbling
My dog got hit by a car this morning. Vet did x-rays and other appropriate tests and said they didn’t see anything other than a tiny bit of road rash and a little blood from her nose that the vet attributed to a possible injury from a tooth. Gave her a week’s worth of antibiotics and Metacam. The dog was acting fine this morning but tonight her balance is a little off and she’s a tad lethargic. Is this normal even if the vet says she’s okay? I wouldn’t think the Metacam would make her act like a normal pain med would since it’s an anti inflammatory
March 19, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
6 Recommendations
Hello, the pain medication should not be making her lethargic. If she seems off, it would be best for your vet or the ER vet to see her. Sometimes it does take a few hours for the adrenalin to come down and her to start showing any issues.
March 19, 2021
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Maltipoo
Two Months
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My new pups broke out of the play pin I put them in.... only because it was too small.... and the chewed up some wires and cardboard papers in my living room. They all seem to be ok except one. She is looking like she is dizzy head moving in a circle she can’t stand up or keep her balance she keeps looking behind her and around her like something or someone is trying to get her. Her mouth is very slimely like a lot of dog drool.... and she’s not as playful as she was yesterday at all. What’s wrong with my pup? I can’t get her to the vet or emergency room because my car is in the shop until 3
Feb. 23, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
6 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
She may have electrocuted herself from the cables and the drooling is due to a mouth injury/ulcers.
This is a serious emergency and the sooner she is seen by a vet, the better.
If you cannot drive yourself, I would suggest you enlist the help of a pet taxi service (your vet should have the details), a neighbour or friend. This is a serious event that cannot be treated at home. Hopefully she can be seen right away and is soon the mend.
Feb. 23, 2021
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Silky Terrier
Papito
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vommit
Good evening,
I don't know what to do in this matter with the stay in place stressed upon us state wide.
With staying home all day we as a family decided to get out the house (backyard) and get some sun. We had a BBQ on the back deck. My dog, of course, joined the family. He is blind and for his age of about 17 human years, is in good health. He is a blind silky terrier. though he usually stays by me, he decided to roam the deck (about 2-3 flights in height), but fit through the bars and fell. typing this i want to cry for him. this took place Sunday late evening. I ran to him. He stood, shaking tremendously. I gave him a warm calming bath to relax him and have the moment to feel around for anything broken. I'm not a vet but he showed no signs of pain; just shock. I felt everything in tact. I've just try to have him rest for the last couple of days. Today, Monday evening he was walking around, tail up, much better with a slight difference in his step. My only concern is, he isn't eating a lot but, still eating some. though he seems to be throwing up a lot. There hasn't been a change in diet. Defecation seems ok (a bit small)and urine appears normal. Again, I'm not a vet. Any suggestions?
Again, 17 yr/old silky terrier fell from 2-3 flight back deck. No bleeding and everything appears in tact. Only concern is the vomit. Its often and appears to me to be more than what he is consuming. Keep in mind, stay in place is in action due to Covid-19. Please reply to me at m.west84@ymail.com ASAP. I would really appreciate it. thank you for your time.
Australian Shepherd
Lily
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Extreme Weight Loss
Extreme Loss Of Appetite
Isolation
Deceased
Blood Shot Eyes
Heavy Sleeping
Over the period of about a month, Lily, now deceased, a close friend of mines dog, lost 22 pounds, would not eat, would drink in excess when she did drink, stayed sleeping In isolation in the back room of the home, and towards the end had a horrible odor, she was not fixed and she was 8 or 9 years old. There were people staying with him around the time that the problems first started that ended badly. He had five dogs, now four, and Lily was his favorite and he had her the longest of all of them. I want to believe it was an autoimmune disease or anything but what I am obviously considering strongly to be an option but the blood test that his vet for results from was returned inconclusive. Please give me your honest opinion on this because I believe his vet did not.
