How to Lift a Dog With a Back Injury
Assume that any dog that has been hit by a vehicle could have a back injury. Very small dogs like Yorkshire terriers can injure their backs just from jumping out of someone's arms, according to Dogster.com. Any dog with a back injury needs to be taken to the closest emergency vet as soon as possible. But to avoid causing further injury on the journey, transport a dog suspected of a back injury using these methods.
Things You'll Need
- Pantyhose, necktie, dog leash, scarf or adhesive tape
- Blanket, jacket or towel
- Wooden board or crate (optional)
- Another person (optional but preferable)
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine if a muzzle is needed. If the dog is unconscious, go immediately to Step 2. If the dog is conscious, it's probably in a great deal of pain, which may cause even the most gentle of dogs to bite. A makeshift muzzle can be made from pantyhose, a necktie, dog leash or scarf. "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" recommends adhesive tape around the dog's muzzle if nothing else is available.
-
2
Pick up the dog, if it's small, trying not to bend its spine. Squat down beside the dog. Place one arm around the chest and the other underneath the rump, slowly straightening your legs.
-
-
3
Create a stretcher for transporting a larger dog. Although this is best done with at least two people, improvise if you are alone. The surface needs to be as flat as possible, such as a sled, board, or the top of a crate. Place a towel or blanket over the hard surface so the dog won’t slip. If a hard surface is unavailable, then use a blanket, beach towel or large jacket.
-
4
Roll the dog onto the sling, placing one hand on its forelegs and one on hind legs. If you have a helper, place both hands on the forelegs, and the helper can work with the hind legs. Gently slide the dog onto the sling.
-
5
Gather up the corners of the sling and raise the dog. Always use the sling to transport the dog.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the dog can stand on all four legs, then there is no spinal injury, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." If the dog cannot stand or can only stand on two legs, suspect a spinal chord injury. It's common for dogs with spinal injuries to lose control of their bladders and bowels.
Never place on a muzzle on a vomiting dog.
Never place a muzzle on a dog that needs to open its mouth in order to breathe.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit windswept yorkshire terrier image by MichMac from Fotolia.com
