Transporting an Injured Dog

Transporting an Injured Dog

This is an example of an open or cage muzzle. These are the best kind of muzzle for an injured or ill dog. It allows the dog to breathe easily and if the dog vomits, the dog will not aspirate the vomitus.

This is a cloth muzzle. They are easy to store and carry in a car for emergencies. These come in different sizes. They work well for long snouted dogs.
The same principal is used when all you have is a scarf or cloth to muzzle a dog. Wrap the cloth around the mouth and nose and then bring it around tot he back of the head and tie it off.

This is the proper way to carry a small injured dog.
The dog's injured side would be away from the individual's body.

Transporting an Injured Dog
Before you begin to transport an injured/ill dog, you need to ascertain the factors surrounding the dog's injury(ies). Some factors to consider are: Are you and the injured dog at further risk if your stay where you are? If you are - Immediately move yourself and the injured dog to a safer location. If you are not - Begin to assess the for the extent of its injuries. Assessing the dog's injuries by: Determining if the dog is unconscious. Before rendering any care on a conscious dog, you should muzzle the dog to prevent the dog from accidentally biting you while giving it needed medical attention. Is the dog breathing on its own? Is there a pulse or heartbeat? - If not, begin CPR Are there any head or spinal injuries that you can observe? - This will help determine how to transport the dog should be transported. Are there any wounds which are bleeding? If so try to control the bleeding by using a direct pressure bandage or if necessary by using a tourniquet. Are there any broken bones? If so do not try to straighten the broken bones, but rather try to splint the broken bone in the position it is currently in using whatever means possible. By doing this, you will prevent any further injury to the bone or the surrounding tissue. Muzzling and injured dog* Any dog no matter how docile he may be, has the potential to bite when he is severely injured, frightened, or in pain. It is important to recognize this and take proper precautions to keep from being bitten. All dogs need to be muzzled for any handling or treatment(including transporting to a car to get it to professional medical care or removing it from the car to take it inside the veterinary hospital) that might be frightening or painful.
This is an example of an open or cage muzzle. These are the best kind of muzzle for an injured or ill dog. It allows the dog to breathe easily and if the dog vomits, the dog will not aspirate the vomitus.	This is a cloth muzzle. They are easy to store and carry in a car for emergencies. These come in different sizes. They work well for long snouted dogs. The same principal is used when all you have is a scarf or cloth to muzzle a dog. Wrap the cloth around the mouth and nose and then bring it around tot he back of the head and tie it off.
If you don't have a commercial muzzle, you can make an acceptable substitute using adhesive tape, a cloth, a scarf, or a leash. Adhesive tape works well on a long snouted dog since the mouth and nose bridge are long enough to get a hold of. Since Pug's have short muzzles; a scarf works better. Tie it around the muzzle and take the loose ends and tie them behind the head. Do Not Muzzle a Dog When The Dog Is: Vomiting Coughing Having Difficulty Breathing Aggressively Resisting the Muzzle Unconscious Carrying an Injured Dog Incorrectly picking up or carrying a dog can make injuries much worse. Never pick up a dog by his front legs, this can result in a dislocation of the elbows or shoulders. Always carry a small dog cuddled in your arms with the injured side away from your body. Special Considerations When Transporting an Injured Dog Always suspect a broken back or spinal cord injuries in all dogs that are unconscious or are unable to stand after a fall from a height or being struck by a motor vehicle. Dogs with these kinds of injuries should be move as gently as possible onto a flat surface( such as a door or a piece of plywood) causing as little twisting to the head, neck and spine as possible. Place a blanket over the animal and using whatever means available (duct tape or rope) secure the dog to the flat surface so that movement will be minimized during transportation. When moving the dog once secured to the flat surface, be sure to keep the head elevated higher than the hindquarters. * Note - This differs from the way you would transport an ill or injured dog that is in shock, but does not have spinal cord or head injuries. Dogs which are in shock should also be transported on a flat surface if possible (however, this is not necessary). They should be transported in a manner which facilitates breathing and with their heads lower than their hindquarters to promote good blood pressure.

This is the proper way to carry a small injured dog. The dog's injured side would be away from the individual's body.	When transporting an injured dog (especially one with spinal cord or back injuries)always place the animal on a flat hard surface and secure them to it so that there is little or no movement to prevent further injury.