My cat was attacked by a dog. Could he have a hidden internal injury?

The best option is to take your kitty into a vet now. Even though there is no blood, there could be internal injuries from the attack, such as a broken hip or leg bone, and he really needs an exam and x-rays from the vet now to rule that out. I would take him into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see him now. There will be a vet on call in your area for emergencies, and you can find that information on the clinic's answering machine or website. If you absolutely can't get him into a vet tonight, keep him indoors, quiet, and warm. Offer him only water, and do not give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Then have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning.

Poor guy. Typically internal bleeding in the abdomen will cause bruising along the belly, in many cases. Also pale gums can indicate internal bleeding, along with severe lethargy and a lack of appetite. So unless you are seeing these things he likely doesn’t have any internal bleeding going on. However, dog bites tend to get infected, so it’s best to have him seen soon for antibiotics and wound management. You can also clean his wounds with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water to help deter infection. Keep an eye on him tonight and tomorrow and get him seen first thing Monday if that is your only option for vet care. If he seems unstable (mostly the symptoms I mentioned above) at any point, then an ER vet visit is highly recommended. I hope that Blackjack is able to recover well. Best wishes and take care.

Yes, I would be concerned that there may be internal injuries, especially as she is bleeding when she sneezes and she is also likely to be in significant pain and discomfort. Dog bites are at significant risk for infection also so I strongly recommend a full check up by your vet

How scary. I would recommend going to a vet for evaluation and x-rays even though it doesn't seem like she has injuries. Internal bleeding in the abdomen or chest is very common when small animals are attacked by larger animals. She could also be in shock and need some supportive care. If going to an emergency/24hour clinic isn't an option, keep her warm and offer food and water as soon as she'll take them, but know she may be in more danger than is immediately obvious and sadly internal injuries can results in fairly sudden death.

He needs to see a vet immediately. The pale gums could mean internal bleeding or circulatory shock. Breathing heavily can be pain or trauma to the lungs. Low body temperature in cats is a sign of severe illness. Even if you don't see external injuries, the internal injuries could be severe in small kittens.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that your Yorkie got attacked by another dog. He could absolutely have injuries that you cannot see, either to his muscle or spine/neck. If he is moving slower, he may have neck pain that hurts him when he moves. I recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian at their next available appointment, so he/she can perform a physical exam and localize any pain. Your vet can prescribe pain/anti-inflammatory medications that help your pet be more comfortable. If you cannot get him to the vet, I recommend keeping him rested (ie restricted to a crate) so he cannot hurt himself further. I hope this is helpful!

I am awfully sorry for the tragic way in which your pet died. In these types of situations it is impossible to know how quickly your pet passed away because internal bleeding can vary tremendously. It depends on which vessel was severed and how quickly that vessel pumped blood out of the vasculature and into the abdomen. I would hope that your pet didn't suffer for too long. Major vessels tend to bleed out fairly quickly (less than an hour), while smaller vessels can be somewhat slower (several hours). Try to remember the happier times you had with your furry friend and not dwell on how he passed away. I know this may prove difficult, but it is what keeps us together in these times of sorrow. I I hope that Mirmir rests in peace and I send my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.