Head Injuries In Dogs: Can They Get Concussions?

No one likes to see a hurt pet, but it does happen. Dog owners know how important it is to know what to do in emergencies. Sometimes pets get hurt and need immediate help, but how do you know what emergent? The most common head injury in dogs is a concussion. 

A concussion is a kind of brain injury caused by a blow to the head that affects how your brain works. Most effects don’t last long. How do concussions happen, and what should you do if you think your pup has one? 

In this post, we’ll be covering what you should know about dogs getting concussions. This will help you be prepared and calm, knowing the steps to take and learning more about the outlook for dogs. Let’s get into this common head trauma and doggies.

Why Are Concussions Serious?

Even though dogs’ skulls are thicker than ours, they can still hurt their heads or brains. Dogs can get many of the same head injuries as people. Most head injuries in dogs are caused by car accidents or falls. Car accidents and falls from great heights both have the potential to cause severe injuries. 

The most typical type of brain damage in dogs is a concussion. Most dogs fully recover from a concussion, but if the injury isn’t treated right away or is too severe, it can cause permanent brain damage. Their brains can also bleed and swelling in dogs, which is serious and needs medical help immediately. 

The pressure inside the skull rises due to brain bleeding, further harming the brain’s neurons and message centers. When the brain swells, it can get too big for the skull. This makes the brain stop working. Bleeding and swelling in the brain can cause permanent brain damage and death.

What Are the Symptoms of Concussions?

Due to their passion for their animals, dog owners are likely to consider any minor bump to be significant. While little bumps to the head are unlikely to result in any lasting harm, other cases may necessitate immediate medical attention. 

You may need to know how to identify a concussion in a dog. Be aware that the dog’s concussion might not be evident until some time after the accident. The time it takes for concussion symptoms to show up is pretty broad. In some cases, the symptoms may start to show up right away or in a matter of minutes, while in others, it may take days. In most cases, symptoms begin to show up within a few hours.

Therefore it’s vital to know what to do in these scenarios. Some accidents might not even be visible to you; therefore, you should know how brain trauma in dogs manifests itself. These are the symptoms of a concussion you should be aware of:

• Appearing lethargic
• Losing consciousness 
• Confusion 
• Issues with balance or having trouble walking
• Bleeding from the nose or ears
• Inconsistent eye motions
• Flaccid or rigid limbs
• Variations in pupil size
• Seizures

What To Do for Your Dog

Even while the majority of dog breeds have thick skulls, some, such as toy breeds and those with small heads, have remarkably fragile skulls, especially those with open fontanels, the space between the bones. Without waiting for symptoms, these dogs should be transported to the vet as soon as a head injury is known or suspected.

Take your pup to a veterinarian right away if you see any worrying signs in them. Let the clinic know you are coming, it is a good idea to call them while you are on your way there. It would help to keep your dog comfortable and relaxed while traveling to prevent shock. 

Lethargy, weakness, and a pounding heart are all signs of shock.  There might be exterior wounds on some dogs’ head traumas. To stop the bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean towel to any injuries that are now gushing blood. In case your dog’s condition worsens, it is a good idea to bring help with you to the hospital.

Sleeping With Concussions

For the first few hours following a known or suspected head injury, you might not want to let your dog sleep, so you can assess whether they are lethargic and take note of other symptoms. However, if you’re concerned about your pup after this time and are unsure about whether to let them sleep or not, you should ask their vet for guidance. They can’t remain awake for as long as it could take for symptoms to manifest, and the stress of forcing them to stay up late is bad for their health and an inaccurate indicator.

What To Expect at the Vet

The doctor will evaluate your dog’s health when you get to the animal hospital. To determine your dog’s stability, you might immediately take them back to the treatment location. An intravenous catheter may be inserted to administer painkillers and other emergency medications. 

Additionally, a veterinarian can perform a neurological examination to check for indications of brain injury. Brain injury can cause cognitive and motor issues. Even though these symptoms are pretty severe, many dogs improve with the proper care and recovery time. 

A veterinarian will be able to adequately explain the issue and any future specific care your dog could require if there is a continuing neurological condition. Ask your veterinarian any questions you may have regarding the care of your pet while you are there. You will be given typed-up notes to ensure you are following your veterinarian’s instructions.

Recovering From a Concussion

While your dog is healing from a head injury, you should only let them do what they need to, like eat and go outside for short bathroom breaks. You can crate your dog or place them in a pen to limit their movement. Because it is more comfortable and you can better keep an eye on your dog there, it is recommended to keep your dog in the area where you spend most of your time. 

You must monitor any secondary injuries, if any, to ensure they are healing correctly. To track the healing process, your veterinarian might advise making frequent visits. Recovery might take a few days in some circumstances. Some dogs can need months to recover. Your veterinarian can address your pet’s situation.

Conclusion

Concussion in dogs must be treated by a veterinarian as quickly as possible, and the dog must be given the best care and supervision possible. If your dog is unlucky enough to sustain long-term harm, remember that there are ways to support them in leading a happy life that is not too distant from their typical one. 

Wheelchairs can help immobile or unstable dogs receive exercise and play, special, soft meals can aid dogs with injured lips, medications might help with seizures, and you might even be able to repair the neurological damage eventually. 

Now that you know what symptoms to be aware of and how concussions are caused, you can be better prepared to deal with the situation if it occurs. Be sure to send this post to other doggie owners so they can be aware of concussions in dogs, too. 

Up Next:

• Can Dogs Get Alzheimer’s?
• Can Dogs Get Tetanus, What Are The Risks?
• Can Dogs Get Skin Cancer?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Aleksandr Zotov