In some point in your time as a pet owner, it’s likely your furry companion will need your assistance in moving from one place to another. Whether it’s after surgery, after an injury, or simply old age, here are some tips for keeping your pet safe and comfortable while transporting or moving him.

1. Give your care provider a heads up. Call ahead to your vet clinic or the animal hospital to let them know you’re coming and what to expect. That way, they can prepare to assist with transport upon your arrival.

2. Keep your pet calm. Sit next to your pet, speaking to him in and soothing, comforting tone. It’s important that you stay calm, too. Even though it may be your natural reaction when your dog is frightened, you should avoid hugging, holding, or any other stimulating interactions that could worry or excite him.

3. Minimize handling (after an accident). In cases of physical trauma, it can be impossible to know the extent of your pet’s injuries, and any manipulation of his body could lead to further injury. Do not prod, shift, or move your pet beyond what is absolutely necessary to get him to safety or emergency care. All movements must be slow and steady. Try to stabilize visible injuries with a splint or bandage.

4. Minimize handling (after surgery). When your dog has just been through a surgery or other corrective procedure, avoiding unnecessary movement is the best route to quick recovery. Speak with your vet about how you should limit your dog’s motion and the best ways for you to help him carry out necessary activities while healing. You can read more in our post on keeping your dog inactive after surgery.

5. Lifting and carrying. Small dogs are a breeze – just put them in their carrier and make sure they are secure to avoid too much movement. However, large dogs can be too heavy for one person to lift alone, or in too delicate a state to be lifted by hand no matter how many helpers you have. Instead, use a stretcher (any strong, flat surface, or even a rug or blanket, should work) with some type or restraint or barrier to keep the dog in place when lifting.

6. Protect yourself and your dog from aggression. Even docile dogs can become aggressive when in pain or distress. Approach your pet cautiously from the side and avoid the mouth area. If necessary, gently muzzle and create a temporary restraint with towels or blankets to prevent your dog from hurting himself or others. If a dog is vomiting, never muzzle him.

7. Plan ahead for the unexpected. It doesn’t hurt to have a first aid kit with a muzzle, leash, blankets, and other items that can help protect your dog on the way to emergency or veterinary care. You should also have your pet’s medical records in a convenient location.

If accidents can happen to us, they can certainly happen to our pets, too. Part of being an attentive pet owner is preparing yourself for the unexpected, and educating yourself on how to handle emergencies that require calming, stabilizing, and transporting an injured animal.

It’s difficult to see dogs suffering a limp, and even worse that they can’t communicate with us where and how much it hurts. A trip to the vet is the obvious choice for figuring out what exactly is ailing your pet, but before you rush to the animal hospital, you may be curious whether the limp is a true emergency, and what the culprit could be.

There are two types of limps: gradual and sudden onset. Knowing which form your dog is experiencing will assist your vet with diagnosing the cause.

Sudden onset limps, as the name implies, occur abruptly due to injury or trauma. They can range from minor gait modification to complete inability to bear weight, just as different injuries affect us. Regardless of the severity of the limp, if it doesn’t resolve quickly after the incident, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as you can to avoid further damage and prolonged pain.

Gradual onset limps grow worse over time and are usually caused by a chronic condition or overuse injury. These limps can also range in severity, and can be tricky to notice in early stages. Like with sudden onset limps, as soon as you notice your dog is struggling, you need to address it.

Here are the most common causes of limping, both gradual and sudden onset, and in no particular order:

• Paw injuries, like splinters, cuts, insect bites or stings, broken toenails, burns, and frostbite. Incessant licking is a sign of paw injury.
• Broken or fractured bones
• Dislocations
• Ligament tears and ruptures, such as the CCL
• Sprains
• Joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, dysplasia, patellar luxation, and intervertebral disk disease
• Spinal injury
• Lyme disease
• Bone diseases
• Cancers

If your dog is limping, what should you do? Just how pressing is a visit to the vet? Should you head to a 24/7 emergency center if the issue occurs outside of office hours?

Limps don’t often show external damage, and when the damage is external, it’s obvious that emergency care is needed. Dogs may “power through” with just a slight change in their step, they may lightly place their paw down as they walk, or they may not be able to use the limb at all. Sometimes the limp comes and goes, and sometimes it resolves itself before you even have it examined. Use your best judgement and monitor closely.

No matter the case, it’s a safe bet to take your dog for evaluation by a veterinarian. Pets can’t tell us exactly what’s wrong, so it’s our responsibility to keep them as safe and pain-free as possible!

You may have heard how avid runners are notorious for discounting pain or not resting long enough when injured. Dogs exhibit similar behavior – they’re known for ignoring discomfort in order to run and play like usual.

After a surgery, though, it’s crucial for your pet to get adequate rest in order to heal properly. That means coercing an active canine to stay relatively still for a period of time. That time frame ranges depending on the procedure and situation-specific factors, so it’s important to follow your vet’s recommendations and ask questions about what is acceptable.

You can’t sit your pet down and explain the importance of recovery, so how can you possibly get your eager-to-play pup to take it easy? Here are a few tips.

You do the work.

When possible, carry your pet up and down stairs, or over any more challenging obstacles. Don’t hurt yourself or stress if your dog isn’t small or light enough to help in this way; offer the support you can, and block off areas as otherwise needed.

Get out the crate.

We know, this one may be tough. But you don’t want your dog wandering about the house when you can’t keep an eye out for off-limits movements and activities. Keep your dog confined to a small space while you’re away from home. It doesn’t have to be the dreaded crate – a small room, playpen, or baby gates are practical options.

Keep your dog on a short leash

You can’t avoid potty breaks during surgery recovery, and you can’t simply open the door and let your dog outside to roam freely. Not only should you use a leash to let your dog relieve himself, but make sure it’s short enough to prevent wandering around the yard. Hang up the retractable leash for now and choose one with a fixed length.

Skip the walks and playtime.

Walking or playing fetch with your dog is your special bonding time, and changing your daily routine can be difficult. Even if your dog is relentlessly begging to go out and play, you must keep exercise to a minimum during recovery. Avoid the buzzwords that your dog associates with playtime, and if you’re headed out for a solo walk, keep it on the down low.

No jumping on the furniture.

Explosive motion can definitely impede healing or cause more damage to wounds. Be vigilant and assist your pet in getting onto and off of any elevated lounging place.

A room with a view

While your dog isn’t able to go outside and run around during the healing phase like he probably wants to, setting up a little camp with a clear, stimulating view of the outdoors can help relieve that desire.

Exercise for the mind

Keep your dog busy in ways other than moving around. The possibilities for a mental workout are virtually endless! You can buy food dispensing toys or interactive toys – anything that makes your pup work for food or treats while building problem solving skills. You can also spend time teaching basic obedience skills or tricks (that don’t require a lot of movement).

Cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles

Ah, the easiest one. Your dog loves to be by your side, so post-op recovery is a perfect time to cozy up with your pet and relax together.