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Being involved or witnessing a road accident involving a dog is very frightening and upsetting. You would also be surprised at how many people actually run over their own pet and as distressing as this thought may be, if you can possibly stay calm and remember a few basic points, you may well save your dog or another dog’s life.

1. Safety first - that is YOUR safety. Don’t panic (I know this is difficult) and look for oncoming traffic before you do anything. Remember that injured animals are in pain and are not predictable in their responses. Animals get scared too, so approach calmly and with a soothing voice.
2. Approach with extreme caution - Injured animals are often in shock and are not fully aware of their surroundings. Even the most easy-going of dogs can lash out and bite when in pain. 
3. If the animal is unconscious and there is no risk of being bitten, then drag them gently off the road using the skin on their back. If there is a risk of being bitten, make a muzzle out of anything available - rope, fabric, a tie, etc. Wrap it around the dog’s snout and tie gently, but firmly, behind the ears.
4. Check your “ABC” - if the animal is unconscious, check that its Airway is clear, that it’s Breathing and that it has Circulation – i.e. a pulse or heartbeat. If there is no pulse or breathing, commence CPR - this is the equivalent of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but in a dog’s case it is mouth to nose. You make a seal around the dog’s snout, closing the mouth and gently blow in the nostrils. Use one breath to every five chest compressions.
5. Basic First Aid - Stop major bleeding by applying pressure with any clean fabric available, like a shirt or towel. If you have a first aid kit, you can bandage the area. Don’t attempt to move or splint broken bones - that is definitely a job for the vet.
6. Transportation - the key is to move the animal as little as possible. Try to find something flat like a board or box or make a stretcher out of a blanket or beach towel. Keep the animal warm and take him/her straight to vet, even if they appear to be okay. Internal injuries from trauma may not be obvious straight away.
7. Prevention is the best! Train your dog from the beginning - you should teach your dog basic obedience commands such as “Sit, Come and Stay” so that you always have control of your dog. You can also teach your dog to stop and wait at every curb and not to cross until you tell him to. You should always walk your dog on a leash anyway when in public and this combined with good fencing should prevent most motor vehicle accidents from occurring in the first place.

Buy a copy of First Aid for Dogs by Dr Justin Wimpole BVSc - this book provides vital information for dog owners and carers, which might just save your dog’s life.

What does it mean when an animal goes into shock?

Shock is the body’s response to changes in the blood flow to internal organs caused by injuries such as being hit by a car, blood loss, heart failure or poisoning. The body tries to compensate for the loss of blood and oxygen to the tissues, resulting in rapid heart rate, weak pulse, rapid, shallow breathing, pale gums, low body temperature and weakness.

If an animal is in shock, it is essential that you control any obvious bleeding, keep him warm and seek immediate veterinary assistance.