My dog was hit by a car and has broken legs. How can I help her?

You need to take your dog to a veterinarian who can reset the leg and then at least immobilize it so a) the swelling can go down, b) the pain is reduced c) discuss possible alternatives in repairing the leg, be it conservative treatment or surgery d) prescribe pain medicine until you have decided how to proceed.

If his leg is broken, he will need veterinary care. At the very least, he will need antibiotics and pain medication to treat or prevent infection and to manage discomfort. Do not medicate him without the advice of your veterinarian. Many OTC medications can be very toxic to dogs. Discuss payment plans or alternative financing options, such as CareCredit ( www.carecredit.com ), with your veterinarian. Friends and family can also be asked to help out.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can rest her as much as possible to try to prevent further injury. Aside from that, she should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible to check if there are any fractures and to see what would be the best therapeutic step for her. At the very least pain medications can be started right away. Good luck and have a great day!

It sounds like your dog is likely in extreme pain, and he needs veterinary attention immediately. He may have fractures, internal injuries and bleeding, and may even have neurological issues from being hit by the car. If you mean that he is unable to urinate, that is a medical emergency, and requires immediate veterinary care. Your vet will assess him and recommend appropriate treatment, which will likely include pain medication, imaging and possibly surgical repair. Do not give pain medication to him without checking with your vet, as pain medications for humans can be toxic to dogs. Good luck, and I hope he feels better soon!

You'll want to confine him to a small area to minimize any further damage. Be sure to offer him plenty of fresh drinking. To help alleviate any pressure to the area when loading him into the car, wrap a towel under the abdomen and carry the back end with a towel. Be sure to watch for and notate any swelling or changes in the spine, or legs. Be sure to get in to se your doctor as soon as possible.

She needs to be examined by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. A complete physical exam and x-rays may diagnose or rule out serious injury and fracture. The abrasions should be properly cleaned and dressed, if indicated, to prevent infection. She may need antibiotics and pain management.

If she was run over by a horse, your dog could have been severely injured by that even if she didn't show it at the time. The only way to know for sure if anything is broken is to have x-rays, and she could have had her spine, hips, or back legs severely damaged. It is a medical emergency that she can't walk or put weight on her hind legs, and she has to see a vet now. If you don't take her into a vet now, this could be permanent. Please take her into a vet now.