Check for Obvious Signs of Injury
If the puppy is screaming in pain — a little yelping is normal, but it should stop after a few seconds — head to the vet for a checkup right away. Serious bleeding, something that looks like a bone break or an obvious limp are also good reasons to head to the vet.
Even if there are no obvious signs of injury, a hard fall can cause a skull fracture and even brain damage — especially if your puppy fell on his head. A way to check normal neurological response is to shine a flashlight in the puppys eyes — if the pupils dont contract, theres something abnormal going on and you should rush to the vet. A puppy who seems to stumble or wants to fall asleep as a response to the fall could have a brain injury and needs to be checked by a vet.
Be aware of back injuries. A dog that can’t get up at all could have a back injury and should be kept as still as possible. Slide the dog onto a rigid object like a board (for large dogs) or baking sheet (for small dogs). Cover him with a blanket and seek emergency help.
Monitor the dog for several hours. Sometimes, dogs appear normal after a fall as they walk around and play. Later, they become lethargic and weak or develop difficulty breathing, so it’s important to monitor them closely for several days after a fall. Delayed injuries include collapsed lungs caused by punctures from broken ribs, or hernias that start as small openings but rip open later. Diaphragmatic hernias occur when there is a rent in the wall separating the chest from the abdomen. If abdominal organs (liver, stomach, intestines) move into the chest cavity, respiration is impaired. Hernias may also occur in the abdominal wall, creating pockets that trap intestines, bladder, or other organs. These delayed problems are emergencies that require prompt attention. Transport the dog with the injured side down as you head to the veterinary clinic.
If you see your dog fall, observe him carefully for a couple of days. Some injuries are immediately obvious while others aren’t apparent until hours after the fall. Even if you dont see your pet take a tumble, you should be suspicious of a fall if you note the following signs:
Look for head injuries – Blood in the eyes, nose, or mouth means possible head injury. Dogs will usually swallow blood that pools in the mouth and lick blood that flows from the nose, so there is no need to control the bleeding. Just proceed to the veterinary clinic.
Serious injuries from falls need to be immediately evaluated and treated by a veterinarian. But here are first aid steps to implement at home as you prepare to take your dog to the veterinary clinic.
What is fading puppy syndrome?
Fading puppy syndrome is a term used to describe puppies that are apparently normal at birth but gradually fade and die within the first two weeks of life. Normal pre-weaning losses in dogs, including stillborn puppies, can be up to thirty percent (30%), with about half of these deaths occurring within the first week of life.
During the first two weeks of life, puppies are very vulnerable to illness and environmental stress since they are unable to regulate their body temperature independently. Very young puppies also have poor ability to regulate fluid and energy balance. In addition, their immune systems are not fully functioning, and they have limited protection from infections. This makes puppies susceptible to dying from a variety of causes.
10 Critical Signs that Indicates Your Dog is Dying
Little kids love spinning in place until they fall down. But when were talking about our dogs, theres really no good reason for loss of balance.
So why do dogs fall down? Is it possible to treat loss of balance? And when should your canine companion see a vet?
Injury, stroke, poisoning, and infections can all cause your dog to lose its balance. Because these things can be dangerous or even life threatening, call your vet immediately if your dog is falling down.