How to Recognize Signs of Trauma and Injury in Pets

Traumatic events are often unexpected and they can range in severity from minor lacerations to complex and life-threatening injuries. The most common traumatic events that can cause internal and external injuries in pets include:

• Car accidents or hit-by-car situations
• Attacks or bites from other animals
• Falling from a higher elevation
• Cuts, scratches and lacerations

Trauma can result in many physical injuries like broken bones and deep wounds – but it can also affect your pet’s emotional and behavioral health. Similar to how humans respond to trauma, your pet may also experience anxiety or stress following their experience. For example, if your pet was in a car accident, they might not want to go in the car again.

What are the signs of trauma and injury in pets?

Signs of trauma in pets range from obvious to extremely subtle (cats are especially good at hiding pain or wounds), so it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet and monitor them for any signs of injury. If you suspect your pet experienced trauma or injury that needs emergency veterinary care, look for changes in the following areas.

Abnormal gum color

Your pet’s gum color is a good indicator of their overall health. If you can do so safely, gently lift your pet’s upper lip and look at the gums above the top teeth. Healthy gums appear pink like bubble gum. Abnormal gum colors like blue, pale pink, yellow, white or bright red could mean that your pet is experiencing trauma or disease affecting their internal organs and function.

Bleeding

Trauma can result in injuries like cuts, lacerations, bites and other wounds affecting the surface of the skin – all of which typically cause some level of bleeding. Uncontrolled or severe bleeding is an emergency, as blood loss can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Bleeding wounds also create the risk of infection, so it’s best to get it cleaned and treated by a veterinarian.

Some traumas may cause internal bleeding that isn’t visible from the outside. If your pet has red- or orange-tinged urine, very pale gums or they’re abnormally depressed after experiencing trauma, this may also represent an emergency.

Trouble walking

Trauma can cause mobility issues such as limping, inability to walk and stiffness in the legs. Keep a close eye on how your pet is moving after the suspected trauma, which could be anything from a minor sprain to a ligament or muscle tear.

Broken or dislocated bones

Broken and dislocated bones, such as a femur or humerus fracture, are a common result of trauma, and they can look like:

• Swollen or bruised joints
• Limited range of motion (which may look like stiffness)
• Uneven appearance
• Joints that look bent, twisted or shortened
• Bones that appear “popped” out of their sockets

Remember, do not try to fix a dislocated or broken bone yourself as that can make the injury worse. Always seek veterinary care if your pet has a bone-related injury.

Unusual respiratory rates and breathing patterns

Breathing changes are also a common sign of trauma in pets. Watch their breathing patterns for signs of distress like:

• Choking
• Raspy, rapid or shallow breathing
• Coughing
• Open-mouthed or unusual breathing
• Difficulty getting air

Changes in respiratory rates and patterns can be a sign of trauma to the lungs, heart, throat and sometimes the abdomen.

Loss of consciousness

Finally, if your pet loses consciousness at any point during or after the suspected trauma, there may be a significant issue under the surface – like head trauma or brain injury.

How do pets express pain?

Pets feel pain just like people do, though they express their pain in different ways. In some trauma situations, you’ll be able to immediately tell that your pet is hurt, and in others, their pain may be virtually undetectable by you.

That’s because many animals – including cats and dogs – have an instinct to hide their pain, so it’s not always easy to tell if they’re hurting.

Fortunately, there are several physical and behavioral changes you can look out for that may mean your pet isn’t feeling well.

Dogs

While dogs are typically excellent at communicating their feelings and needs with their people, they also have a tendency to mask or downplay their pain, making it challenging to sense how they’re truly feeling. If you suspect your dog may be injured, look for these cues:

Physical changes

Keep a close eye on your dog and look for subtle changes in how they move and stand. These changes may include:

• Shaking
• Arched back
• Twitching muscles

Daily habits changes

Your dog may change their daily routine if they’re feeling unwell and trying to mask their pain. Their daily habits may look different, like:

• Eating less
• Sleeping more
• Less motivated to socialize and play
• Having accidents (if otherwise housetrained)
• Generally appear “off” and not like their usual self