But, if this gets treated quickly enough, they should be fine. This causes insane pressure inside their skull, which could lead to seizures or a coma.Īnd, they’ll have one insane headache to boot. When they get hit in the head, pups could suffer some swelling in the brain. So if your dog gets a hard enough knock aimed at the right spot on his skull, it could kill him. The most severe risk of head injury is death. That said, a knock to the head, if it’s hard enough, could cause some severe damage.įrom the previous section, you could imagine that the consequences of brain damage could be pretty intense. What Are The Risks?ĭog skulls are thicker than human skulls, so they’re way more resilient than we are. Here, nerve tissues tear, and various parts of the brain could sustain damage. This occurs when the impact is violent enough for the brain to hit the opposite side of the skull.ĭiffuse axonal is a type of brain damage caused by severe shaking or rotation. Here, your pup could suffer temporary or permanent damage, depending on the severity of the situation and the location of impact.ĭirect impact to the head causes a contusion, which we recognize by bleeding on the brain.Ī coup-contrecoup is a double contusion – one on the impact site and one on the opposite side of the skull. The most common one is a concussion, where a hard blow to the head causes trauma to the brain. There are several types of head injuries, and all vary in severity. If you’re still worried, though, you could always take him for a check-up, just in case. If your dog doesn’t show any of these signs, he’s probably fine. These are all sure signs that a trip to the vet is crucial and urgent. Some dogs show signs of lethargy or paralysis when they’re suffering from a head injury.

He might also seem very confused and have some facial weakness, or even pass out. If you notice any of these, take your pup to the vet for a check-up ASAP.Īdditionally, if your dog has any blood in his ears or seems disorientated, you should pay close attention. Next, look for tell-tale signs of a head injury: uneven pupils, blood in and around the eyes and nose, or a wobbly walk.Īll these could indicate anything ranging from a mild injury to a severe concussion and are cause for concern. If he’s acting weird, there’s probably something wrong, and you should have him checked out. So, how do you know the difference?įirstly, you know your pup. How do I Know If He’s Okay?ĭogs are usually okay after a bump on the head, but sometimes they’re not. Reward-based training tends to work better, raising a pup that responds well to instruction and isn’t fearful. Parenting is stressful, regardless of your kids’ species.Įither way, a whack (on the bum or elsewhere) is generally not the best way to train a dog since they aren’t necessarily capable of understanding the reason behind it. Again, similar to disciplining kids, we sometimes lose our cool, shouting instead of talking. Sometimes, in intense moments, we get this the wrong way around and give them a whack on the head instead, and those can be a bit harder than intended. No, these ones seem to need a gentle flick on the nose. Why Is My Dog Suddenly Hiding In My Closet?.You know, the type that doesn’t listen to stern words or respond to treats. Or, perhaps your pup is tough to discipline. Poor pup!ĭogs are kind of like small kids, always curious and with a knack for getting in the way when you’re doing something potentially dangerous.

Oh man, you hit him with the thing! You chase after him, attempting to calm him, and see a bump on his head. Then, you hear a dull thud, an anxious yelp, and see your dog racing away. I mean, come on, that thing weighs more than Santa’s sleigh. You can’t see past the old armchair you’re wrestling through the door, and you can’t hear much over the sound of your own labored breathing. It’s heavy work, and the old furniture and other junk you’re moving are big and heavy. Why Is My Dog Afraid Of Flies? How Does This Happen?.How do we make peace again and regain their trust? Will they actually be distrustful after such as event? How do you know the difference?Īnd how does this happen? You might be more concerned with their feelings after the fact, especially if you’re a sensitive soul who views your pups as your children.

Usually, they’re fine, but sometimes, they’re not. Hitting your dog in the head is one of them.

Signs of head trauma in puppies