A reminder once again about the cost of car accidents involving dogs and cats: although we raise them out of love, many times they end up being harmed. Love them, please love them correctly; pamper them, please pamper them thoughtfully; understand them, please understand them scientifically.

　　Currently, the number of cats and dogs involved in car accidents is increasing weekly. Here we remind everyone again that car accidents cause more harm to pets; especially life-threatening is not the disease itself but the ruthless car accidents, just like with humans. It is recommended that owners use more proper methods to cherish them.

　　When dogs or cats are involved in car accidents, the consequences are unimaginable. Mild cases involve pets being frightened, refusing food and water for days, and skin abrasions; severe cases include serious internal organ hemorrhage, which can take the pet’s life within minutes. Some injuries, even if not fatal, cause severe limb damage such as crushed pelvis, fractured bones, abdominal wall hernia, inguinal hernia, pleural effusion, soft tissue bruising, etc. Some also cause abnormal urination and defecation injuries, nerve damage controlling these functions, or ruptured bladder preventing urination. These injuries are extremely critical for beloved pets. While owners need to work, caring for such severely ill pets is challenging. Many owners give up directly, while a small portion are willing to bear huge medical expenses and provide hospital care. Although some may not return to normal life post-surgery, these efforts are to save the pet’s life to the fullest.

　　In daily life, the most common accidents occur because dogs and cats are not on leashes or vehicles suddenly pull out into areas with few cars, hitting them. Owners often believe their dog will come back when called, but they must not forget that even humans face accidents during travel, let alone dogs or cats. They lack the intelligence of a human brain, so the main cause is the owner’s lack of awareness about letting pets roam freely. Another reason for accidents is drivers who must constantly watch out for homeless cats and stray dogs. These animals often hide under tires to avoid human dangers or shelter from wind and rain. We can extend a hand to help them by providing some food, blankets, or building a small shelter. Perhaps this winter they will avoid the cold and see the next winter.

　　This is a case of a stray dog with a crushed pelvic fracture due to being run over. When arriving at the hospital, it was barely alive. During examination, severe damage to abdominal organs was found, extreme anemia, difficulty breathing, pale conjunctiva, abdominal distention, undetectable body temperature, and extremely low blood pressure. The dog died during rescue attempts.

Crushed Pelvic Fracture in a Stray Dog

　　This is a case of bladder rupture affecting the abdomen. The dog came to the clinic on the third day after a car accident. Initially, there were no special abnormalities, but during these three days, no urination was observed. Upon examination, a ruptured bladder was found, and surgery was performed along with abdominal cavity flushing. The prognosis is good.

Dog with Ruptured Bladder

　　This is a case of a fractured lumbar vertebra caused by a car accident, with paralysis and loss of sensation in both hind legs. However, the owner did not abandon the dog, continuously cared for it, and used traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, resulting in slight sensation returning to the hind limbs.

Dog with Lumbar Vertebra Fracture

　　The following image shows a left forelimb amputation caused by a car accident. Behind the glory of a Tosa Inu lies pain. No longer able to run freely on battlefields, it can only settle for a peaceful life.

Dog with Left Forelimb Amputation

　　The following is a cat whose tail was crushed and infected, now effectively a tailless cat. Although this did not threaten its life, during treatment the cat was extremely sensitive to sutures, causing prolonged healing of the incision.

Infected Cat

　　When facing pets involved in car accidents, should we continue to persevere or give up?

　　We never give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope but prefer to use these cases as teaching materials to warn us. Let them always cause some concerns and worries, urging us to be more responsible for our pets, to make life more equal, to love and care for them better rather than causing them more suffering.

　　As a pet medical worker who sincerely loves these lovely little creatures, I wish them to live happily, healthily, and normally in this world.