My puppy fell on concrete. What signs of injury should I watch for?

The first question to answer is, if he lost his consciousness when he fell. Being 'knocked out' suggest brain trauma, concussion at least. If he was conscious at all times, then most likely the brain did not suffer any serious injury. Dogs have relatively small brains (compared to human), which are also well protected by the skull bones. Brain injuries are much less common in dogs than in human patients. So, my advice is : as long as Milo is looking normal, he is bright and alert, he is not vomiting, his pupils are of equal size, he is not in any obvious pain or discomfort you should monitor him at home. If he becomes lethargic, weak on legs, crying for no reason or vomiting you need to call your regular vets or your nearest emergency service asap.

If Conley seems alert, responsive and non-painful at this point after the incident I doubt there is potential for head trauma. Signs of head trauma or internal injury would include lethargy, disorientation, different sized pupils or labored/irregular breathing. You also may want to make sure she is eating and drinking normally with no pain to make sure she didn't injure her mouth or a tooth during the fall. Puppies are pretty resilient and I would bet there are no lasting injuries.

I would suggest to monitor him closely for the next 48 hours and record any abnormal sign you may notice. I would especially concern (so that would require an immediate check up) if you notice signs like lethargy, inappetence, vomiting or abnormal behaviour. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I'm so sorry Gemma had that experience today. How scary for her! Since Gemma is still growing, I would watch her closely for any lameness. Growing dogs can damage their growth plates and will have long term problems if not treated. So, if there is any lameness, I would recommend having her evaluated by your veterinarian. My only other worry would be if she hurt her abdomen in the fall. If she is not eating normally, seems lethargic or doesn't want to move around normally, I would also have her evaluated by your veterinarian. I hope that answers your question.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about the puppy. I always advise that if an abnormal sign or behavior persists, worsens or other signs develop to always have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian right away. The fall may have caused some soft tissue/bone injuries or even internal injuries that are causing her problems. Also, she could be suffering from something unrelated to the fall. Your vet can examine her after gathering a history and then advise you on diagnostics/treatment. Possible tests include fecal/blood/urine tests and x-rays. Good luck

Poor Naila! I'm glad to hear that she is playing and active after the fall. Fortunately, falling from the couch is a relatively short distance. At this point, since Naila is active with no signs of pain or injury, there is nothing you need to do. However, closely watch her over the next day or so to make sure she continues moving around normally, acting normally, and is eating and drinking appropriately. If you observe any changes, she should see a vet for an exam. I hope that all goes well!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She should be fine! Especially since she didn't cry, isn't limiting and is acting fine. Sometimes they will feel sore the next day. So I would watch for limping, stiffness or lethargy. But I would be surprised if she shows any symptoms. Good luck!