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.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
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
Pomeranian
ace
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weakness
Eye Swollen
Sore
Yesterday our pomeranian, Ace, struck the wheel of my son's car. He wasn't under the tire, but he hit the tire pretty hard and cut his eye. Last night he seemed fine, other than a little swelling around his eye. He has just begun growling when we touch his tummy and his back legs seem weak. Is this a sign of internal bleeding? He is eating, drinking and he is passing urine, but has not had a bowl movement yet today.
July 25, 2018
0 Recommendations
Any type of trauma like this should be seen by your Veterinarian as I am unable to give you any assurances that Ace hasn’t suffered from a brain injury, internal bleeding or anything else concerning; trauma is very unpredictable and I cannot say for certain that Ace is in the clear or not. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Poodle
Evan
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Moving
Attack
My dog was attacked and bitten by other dog. He had puncture wounds on his neck. I brought him to the vet and his wounds were cleaned and medicated. He isnt moving at all. he just lies on his side and doesnt move unless i move him. when i move him, his body is limp. he doesnt get up to urinate so he urinates on himself. I am wondering is this normal. Is he in shock from the attack or could it be something internal like broken bone or paralyzed? I would have expected the vet to know this if he is paralyzed when i first brought him in.
July 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Evan and doing some basic reflex test etc… I cannot determine if he is paralysed or if there is something else occurring after this attack. You should keep a close eye on him but this level of lethargy is not normal and you should return to your Veterinarian or visit another one to another examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 13, 2018
We recently adopted a rescue 6-year old Lab who came with a torn tendon d/t running into the glass door of a house frightened by a firework (she was kept mainly outside). As the story goes... she was left with the injury for at least 3-days prior to getting care. When we adopted her she had already had surgery to repair the tendon and the bandages were taken off. When we took her to have her staples removed, we also got x-rays and the Vet suggested she is showing possible signs of bone caner at the same sight of the trauma. However the x-ray results were inconclusive and they are unsure as to whether its an infection or bone cancer. I am just curious what are the best steps to move forward...
July 16, 2018
Christina W.
Was this question and answer helpful?
Beagle
Baby
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My 18lbs beagle was recently diagnosed with a bad back. We have a 65lbs goldendoodle puppy that wants to play with the beagle constantly and won’t stop pouncing on her. The beagle occasionally has blood in her stools. Is it possible the puppy is causing these injuries to the beagle? If so, what can we do to prevent this?
July 4, 2018
0 Recommendations
It is possible that active playing with a much larger dog may cause back strain, you may either separate them which is probably not an option or try to go through some training with the puppy to play less aggressively with Baby. I’ve placed some articles below which should help, at the bottom of each article there is a section where you may ask a certified dog trainer a follow up question. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/training/not-play-aggressively
https://wagwalking.com/training/not-play-rough
July 5, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Jug
Mini
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
My 7 year old pug/Jack Russel mix ate a few chicken wings last week. The next day she threw up bits and pieces but not a lot, mostly just liquid. 2-3 days have gone by and she is now having diarrhea. It's gelatinous/mucousy and I believe it's bloody. Not sure if it's blood or from strawberries honestly. And she's doing it I side the house which is very unlike her. She's been eating and drinking except I'm not sure about yesterday and today. She's also not showing any pain even if I press around. she seems normal besides what happened today.
June 30, 2018
0 Recommendations
Any food which a dog is not used to may cause some gastrointestinal irritation, however if the chicken wings where cooked there is the risk of severe gastrointestinal irritation or perforation. It would be blood in the stool as any strawberries would be digested; since this has been going on for a while you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination to be on the safe side and to determine if there is any obstruction or issue. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 30, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
