Hit by Car (HBC)

Emergency Care: What to Do if Your Pet is Hit by a Car (HBC)

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is a terrifying experience for both you and your pet. Whether your pet seems perfectly fine or is visibly injured, immediate veterinary evaluation is critical. Many life-threatening injuries sustained in “Hit by Car” (HBC) incidents are internal and may not be apparent to the naked eye for several hours.

Immediate Steps: Safety First

Protect Yourself: A frightened, pained pet may bite instinctively—even the gentlest dog or cat. Use a blanket or towel to move them if possible.

Minimize Movement: If you suspect broken bones or spinal injury, slide your pet onto a flat board or a heavy blanket to use as a makeshift stretcher.

Control Bleeding: Apply firm, direct pressure to any visible wounds using a clean cloth or gauze.

Call Ahead: Contact us immediately while you are en route. This allows our trauma team to prepare the oxygen, pain relief, and diagnostic equipment before you arrive.

We Are Ready to Help

If your pet has been involved in an accident, don’t wait. Our emergency team is trained to handle high-stress trauma cases with skill and compassion.

Our Trauma Protocol

Our Trauma Protocol

When you arrive, our team moves into a rapid Triage & Stabilization phase:

Phase

Actions Taken

Stabilization

Administration of oxygen, intravenous (IV) fluids to treat shock, and immediate pain management.

Assessment

Checking "The Big Three": Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABC).

Diagnostics

A-FAST Ultrasound to check for internal bleeding and Digital X-rays to identify fractures or lung trauma.

Monitoring

Continuous ECG and blood pressure tracking to watch for delayed heart arrhythmias.

Common "Hidden" Injuries

Pneumothorax: Air leaking from the lungs into the chest cavity, making it hard to breathe.

Internal Hemorrhage: Bleeding from the liver or spleen that can lead to sudden collapse.

Uroperitoneum: A ruptured bladder that leaks urine into the abdomen.

Pulmonary Contusions: Bruising of the lung tissue that gets worse 24–48 hours after the impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet is walking and acting normal. Do I still need to come in?

Yes. Adrenaline can mask severe pain and internal damage. Conditions like internal bleeding or lung bruising (contusions) often don't show symptoms until hours after the accident. Early intervention is significantly more successful (and often less expensive) than waiting for a crisis to occur.

What is "Road Rash," and is it serious?

Road rash is more than just a scrape; it is a friction burn that can involve deep layers of skin and introduce bacteria. We clean and debride these wounds under sedation to prevent severe infection and "sloughing" of the skin later on.

Will my pet need surgery right away?

Usually, no. We prioritize stabilizing the patient first. Unless there is uncontrollable internal bleeding, we wait until the pet is out of shock and their vit cleans are stable before performing orthopedic surgery for broken bones.

How long will my pet need to stay in the hospital?

Most HBC patients are hospitalized for 24 to 48 hours for observation. This "danger window" is when we monitor for delayed lung issues, heart arrhythmias, or changes in internal organ function.

Phase	Actions Taken
Stabilization	Administration of oxygen, intravenous (IV) fluids to treat shock, and immediate pain management.
Assessment	Checking "The Big Three": Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABC).
Diagnostics	A-FAST Ultrasound to check for internal bleeding and Digital X-rays to identify fractures or lung trauma.
Monitoring	Continuous ECG and blood pressure tracking to watch for delayed heart arrhythmias.