What to Do If a Dog Is Hit by an E-Bike

1 Tell Internal Injury from Concussion

A dog that vomits or defecates blood right after being hit most likely has damaged internal organs and should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately. If the dog is still running around happily on the day of the accident but starts vomiting, refuses food, and coughs the next day, it is usually a concussion — dizziness and nausea from the blow. Peel back the eyelid: if the white of the eye is laced with dense red veins, there is still internal bleeding.

2 Signs of Concussion

A concussion or cerebral contusion is an acute brain injury from blunt force to the head — typically a traffic collision, a blow to the head, or a hard fall onto the head from height. After the injury the animal may slip straight into a coma, lose consciousness, and show weak or absent reflexes; the pulse is thin, rapid, and irregular, breathing is weak or uneven, and there may be loss of bowel or bladder control and vomiting. External marks of head trauma or force are usually visible.

3 Care and Medication

A circulation-promoting (bruise-relieving) medicine can be given, generally at half the adult human dose, mixed into warm water. During treatment, if the dog’s condition does not improve and intestine protrudes from the anus, seek veterinary care at once. The drug usually shows clear effect in about seven days; once the dog is bright and the red veins in the eyes have faded, the medication can be stopped.

If the dog will not eat while on medication, do not force it, but offer warm water on a schedule — vomiting drains fluid and leads to dehydration. Keep the dog quiet and free of strenuous activity. After it has recovered, the diet can be a little richer; meat broth and similar foods are fine to offer.