24/7 Emergency Vet for Dogs Hit by Cars in Anaheim

If your dog has been hit by a car, seek emergency veterinary care immediately, even if they seem alert, are able to walk, and have no visible injuries.

Internal bleeding and injuries to the lungs, brain, or other organs may not be obvious at first and can quickly become life-threatening.

Do not wait to see if your dog improves. Call CASE Animal Hospital and bring your dog in right away.

CASE Animal Hospital provides 24/7 emergency veterinary care in Anaheim, and no appointment is required.

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Dog Hit by a Car? Follow These Emergency Steps

If your dog has been hit by a car, bring them to CASE Animal Hospital immediately. Before transporting your dog, follow these steps to protect yourself, prevent further injury, and prepare for safe transport.

Make Sure the Area Is Safe

Before approaching your dog, check for moving vehicles and other hazards.

If possible, ask someone to warn approaching drivers or direct traffic while you help your dog.

Approach Your Dog Carefully

Because pain and fear can cause even gentle dogs to bite, approach slowly, speak calmly, and keep your face and hands away from their mouth.

Check for Critical Signs

Quickly check whether your dog is:

✓ Conscious or responsive

✓ Breathing normally

✓ Bleeding heavily

✓ Pale, white, blue, or gray gums (if safe to check)

✓ Collapsed, having seizures, or unable to stand

⚠️ If you are unsure whether your dog is seriously injured, do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Bring your dog to CASE Animal Hospital immediately.

Stop Bleeding & Stabilize

First, address any severe external bleeding by applying firm, steady pressure to the wound with a clean towel, cloth, or gauze.

Next, ensure your dog remains completely still. Do not allow them to walk, even if they seem able to stand.

Finally, cover them with a blanket or coat to retain body heat, but make sure their nose and mouth remain uncovered so they can breathe easily.

Transport Your Dog Safely

If possible, use a firm board, folded blanket, or other sturdy surface to support your dog’s body during transport.

Keep the head, neck, and spine aligned, and ask someone to help if your dog is too large to lift safely.

📞 While You’re on the Way

Call CASE Animal Hospital before you leave. If someone is with you, ask them to call while you drive.

If possible, be ready to tell our emergency team:

✓ When the accident happened

✓ Whether your dog is conscious and breathing

✓ Whether there is severe bleeding

✓ Your estimated arrival time

Calling ahead allows our emergency team to prepare for your arrival so treatment can begin without delay.

What Not to Do After Your Dog Is Hit by a Car

Avoid these common mistakes, as they can worsen your dog’s injuries or delay emergency treatment.

❌ Do not wait for symptoms to develop.

❌ Do not give food or water unless instructed by a veterinarian.

❌ Do not give human pain medication.

❌ Do not attempt to straighten broken bones.

❌ Do not remove deeply embedded objects.

❌ Do not wrap the chest or abdomen tightly.

❌ Do not muzzle a dog with breathing problems.

❌ Do not delay emergency care to collect accident information.

❌ Do not speed or drive recklessly to reach the hospital.

⚠️ When in doubt, transport your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital as quickly and safely as possible.

Call Us Now

657-999-1150

Visit Our Hospital

1400 N Burton Place
Anaheim, CA 92806

Warning Signs After a Dog Is Hit by a Car

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your dog has any of the following warning signs:

Breathing

Difficulty breathing or gasping
Rapid or shallow breathing
Open-mouth breathing
Pale, white, blue, or gray gums

Shock & Circulation

Weakness or sudden collapse
Cold ears or paws
Weak pulse
Extreme lethargy

Neurologic Signs

Confusion or disorientation
Walking in circles
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Unable to stand

Visible Injuries

Heavy bleeding
Broken or deformed limb
Deep wounds
Swollen or firm abdomen
Vomiting

Don't Wait for Symptoms to Appear

Serious injuries may not be immediately visible after a car accident, even if your dog appears alert and has no obvious injuries.

Why a Dog That Seems Fine Still Needs Emergency Evaluation

Your dog may seem alert, able to walk, or have no visible injuries after being hit by a car. That does not mean they are safe.

Adrenaline can temporarily mask pain, and some injuries may not cause obvious signs right away.

Hidden injuries can continue to worsen over the following minutes or hours, even if your dog initially appears stable.

Prompt professional care allows us to identify and treat these hidden issues before they become life-threatening.

⚠️ Every minute counts. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Bring your dog to an emergency veterinarian immediately.

Common Injuries Caused by Vehicle Trauma

A car accident can cause injuries throughout your dog’s body, including the chest, abdomen, bones, spine, and soft tissues. Common injuries include:

Injury Type	Examples
Chest injuries	Lung bruising, collapsed lung, rib fractures
Abdominal and internal organ injuries	Internal bleeding, liver, spleen, bladder, or kidney injuries
Orthopedic injuries	Broken bones, pelvic fractures, joint injuries
Head and spinal injuries	Brain trauma, skull fractures, spinal injuries, nerve damage
Soft-tissue injuries	Deep cuts, muscle injuries, skin wounds, degloving injuries

The type and severity of these injuries cannot be determined by appearance alone. Your veterinarian may recommend X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, or other diagnostic tests to fully evaluate your dog’s injuries.

What Happens When You Arrive at the Emergency Vet

Once you arrive, our emergency team will assess your dog immediately and begin emergency care if needed.

The first priority is to identify life-threatening injuries, stabilize your dog’s condition, and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

1. Immediate Triage

Our emergency team will immediately assess your dog for:

– Airway

– Breathing

– Circulation

– Neurological status

– Pain level

– Active bleeding

If your dog has life-threatening injuries, our team will begin emergency treatment immediately.

2. Stabilization Before Diagnostic Testing

If your dog is unstable, our emergency team will focus on stabilizing their condition before performing diagnostic tests.

Depending on your dog’s condition, stabilization may include:

– Oxygen therapy

– IV catheter placement and fluids

– Pain management

– Bleeding control

– Blood transfusion, if needed

– Breathing support

3. Diagnostic Testing

Once your dog is stable enough, your veterinarian may recommend tests to identify hidden injuries, such as:

– Bloodwork

– X-rays

– Ultrasound

– CT scan, if needed

– Blood pressure, ECG, and oxygen monitoring

4. Targeted Treatment Based on the Findings

Your dog’s treatment plan will depend on the injuries identified. Treatment may include wound repair, fracture stabilization, chest drainage, emergency surgery, or other specialized care as needed.

5. Hospitalization and Monitoring

Some dogs can return home the same day, while others require hospitalization for continued monitoring, pain management, IV fluids, or additional treatment until they are stable. The sooner your dog arrives at an emergency hospital, the sooner hidden injuries can be identified and lifesaving treatment can begin.

Why Choose CASE Animal Hospital

CASE Animal Hospital provides 24/7 emergency, critical, and specialty veterinary care under one roof in Anaheim, so your dog can receive immediate treatment without delays caused by transfers between hospitals.

Our emergency veterinarians and board-certified specialists provide advanced diagnostic imaging, emergency surgery, and continuous ICU monitoring for dogs with severe injuries caused by vehicle accidents.

Contact Our Emergency Team

📍 Visit Us: 1400 N Burton Pl, Anaheim, CA 92806

📞 Call Now: (657) 999-1150

🕒 Open 24/7

✅ Walk-in emergencies welcome