Head injuries in dogs can be extremely serious.
They may be less obvious than in humans and harder to detect as dogs can’t talk. Also, the immediate effects post trauma may be subtle and easily missed.
First steps if your dog injures their head
- Remain calm – your dog will pick up on your stress
- Phone a local vet immediately
- If your dog has external wounds that are bleeding profusely. Apply direct pressure with a clean non-fluffy cloth.
- Keep the animal warm and carefully transport them to the Veterinary Surgery.
All pets that have experienced a head injury should be checked by a vet.
Common causes of head injuries in dogs
Being hit by a car, is the most frequent cause of concussion, however any trauma to the head can result in an injury.
Head injuries in dogs can also occur from interactions other dogs or trees, being kicked or hit by humans, falls or as a result of something falling onto them.
Most commonly, concussions result from “blunt trauma,” but they can occur during an attack by another animal, if a dog is shaken or thrown to the ground.
Common signs and symptoms of head injuries in dogs
If a dog is bleeding from their head, always be vigilant for signs of more serious head trauma, if they have fallen from a height or been underneath falling debris consider that they could have suffered a head injury.
Concussion can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
- Lethargy or sleepiness
- Possibly weakness, maybe just down one side
- Confusion or disorientation
- Coordination problems or difficulty walking
- Rigid or flaccid limbs
- Bleeding from the ears or nose
- Abnormal eye movements
- Differences in pupil size
- Pale gums
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
If your dog appears to be behaving strangely or exhibiting any of the above symptoms always get them seen by a Vet as soon as possible—even if you aren’t aware of any head trauma. These symptoms can be an indication of other potentially serious injuries or illnesses and they should be checked by your Vet.
Generally, dogs make a full recovery from a concussion, but delayed treatment or extreme head trauma can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Seizures
A bang on the head can cause them to have a seizure.
If they have a seizure, you should protect them from further danger; phone the vet, dim lights and remain as quiet as possible whilst the seizure continues, put them in the recovery position once the seizure finishes.
What your Vet may do
Your Vet is likely to undertake a neurological examination to assess the extent of the head injury and look for possible signs of damage to the brain.
They will control bleeding and advise you as to next steps.
Your pet is likely to take time to recover from their head injury.
During this period, you should keep a close eye on them. Help them to remain as relaxed as possible and refrain from strenuous activity and long walks.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
I have two cats at home yesterday my father was taken to hospital with breathing problems so my family are self isolating as a precaution he has pneumonia and still being tested can they be infected as they are very affectionate and house cats .thamk u
Hi Cheryl, sorry to hear about that, I hope your father makes a full recovery. Please read our article about how to care for pets while self-isolating here:
https://firstaidforpets.net/pets-and-self-isolation/
I have lil dog that when I got home was acting weird an hiding his head won’t stop moving acting scared Like he looking around for someone Jerking back at times an other times forward anyone know whyis this happing he about 4 pds tops an his age is 4 or 5 he was my moms dog I got her during her cancer treatment for support n more of reason to fight for her life she has now passed an I can’t lose him
My Chihuahua/ olde English bull dog mix (Grayson) got into a fight with my pitbull/lab mix.(Remmy ) After I separated them, I noticed that Grayson’s eye was completely red. Blood red, not dripping but his whole eye was solid blood red. It’s swollen around it very badly. I also noticed earlier, the eye that didn’t get bit had a large dilated pupil. We gave him a piece of chicken and he drank water, but he’s very aloof . When I pet his head, near the swollen part of his eye, he doesn’t cry, so I don’t think Remmy cracked the skull but I don’t know. Grayson has been crying and whimpering off and on. Do you think it’s just an eye injury and possibly a concussion..or something worse…thank you
My dad have thrown a stones but it met on my puppy head, blood bleeds from nose and it may dimm
Dog fight. Cane Corso Bull Mastiff father son. Extreme. One has eye bloodshot and pupil different sized. No vet close as to location. Please advise
My husband was playing tug of war with a teething ring with my 12 week old Yorkie. He lifted the puppy off the ground and the puppy released the ring and fell backwards on his head. I rubbed it immediately and afterwards he kept wanting to play tug of war. Do you think he might have a severe concussion?
My dog and I fell.out of a moving truck going about 30 miles per hour. She rolled and slid down the road but when I got to her her lip was bleeding and she had 2 little cuts on her head above her eye. She is walking and eating and drinking she’s tired and sore though. But no other sighns or symptoms of anything. Should I be concerned. This happens a little over 2 hours ago.
My dog had a head injury. I don’t know if it is an air gun shot that hit his head or had a dog fight that bit its head. My dog is manifesting signs of weakness and can’t move on its own. I am a Nurse and I immediately put him on IV fluids cause he cannot eat food, then disinfected the wound with a povidone iodine and covered it with a clean gauze. What more could I do for him to keep him recover? I live here in a province in the Philippines and we don’t have a veterinary clinic for dogs.
I hope my dog will recover fast.
Have a 2yr. Old pitbull, he got into a fight, I didn’t see it happen, but he’s got swollen top of head, and both eyes are swollen he’s got a puncture wound on his cheek, his head is really swollen, and getting worse, I’m wondering what could do that? Besides a dog bite,?
My 6 week puppy got attacked by my older dog and his head on the top got really bad swollen. He is sleeping a lot and can barely walk. He has no bite marks at all. How long will he have a concussion??
My dog was greeting my son at the door and when he open the door he hit the dogs head real bad with the door. Not on purpose and now he can’t see. I am so scared and my dog seems fine to me other than he can’t see very good now. We just spent $8000 on him for another problem. Please help
This happened on Friday night and it is now Monday
My dog got hit with plastic stick after that it has nose bleed for a minute he had difficult in walk.. Within 5minutes he took food n bleed stopped after 10-15mts. Now he playing actively. Is der will be serious injury. ??
Hello, my dog was attacked and shaken by another dog at the part. After 2 weeks he had a seizure. Ever since he’s been having a seizure every 4 months. Could this be because of brain damage ? What should I do? I’ve taken him to 3 vets and they’ve taken blood and urine tests which have been fine. No vet has recommended an MRI. Could the fact that it’s been 1,5 years since the injury be very bad for him?
I was wondering did your dog ever get his or her vision back. My dog had a sudden loss of vision also i believe after having a incident which apparently was head trauma. I’m wondering if your dog ever got there vision back due to that being the only problem.
My dog got hit by a guy with a metal stick he didn’t bleed only a couple of drops I came home and started putting ice on his head he had a big bump I did that a couple of times in the night next day he look it fine but 3 days later he started looking confused I took him to the vet he say that to minor him if not to go get a MRI today his not eating or drinking water please can I tell me what to do
My small dog (Maltese) was sleeping on the edge of the couch and fell off the couch while sleeping. He might have hit his head against the metal leg of my coffee table. What are some things that I should look out for? I read online that it can take hours for symptoms to appear.
My small 3 year old Pekingese male dog was playing with my husband and accidentally they hit each other’s head. I am observing my dog and I don’t see any unusual behavior. Should I still take him to his vet?
My dog ran into a tree now can’t walk body goes limp don’t ear barley drinks homeless no car called vet they want $250. Up front what do I do
My dog hurt her head with the fence, her left side of her face is swollen & she has like a puncture on the top of her head, I called the vet they charge $400-600 & $1200-1500 if she needs shots. What do I do??? someone please help!
My dog was tide outside in a leash and somehow he tangled himself and was chowking we saw him just in time but now he is lethargic like out of it I was wondering not knowing how long he was choking if he might have a brain damage
My 6 month old German Shepherd was hit on top of his head 2 weeks ago. His head did bleed and it left a lump. Yesterday my husband checked her bump and it seems to have gotten bigger and it’s hard. What can be done to take the bump down. We don’t have the money to take her to the Vet.
I accidentally bump the head of my puppy,I was searching for her, and I saw her underneath the sofa so I carry the sofa and move her away, to think I my puppy is away I put down the sofa when she move back underneath I already put down the sofa.. I thought I move her away, but never realized I bumped her head…😭😭😭now I forced feed her coz she couldn’t suck her mother’s milk,I’m so worried she has already seizure, but I can’t bring her to ver coz I don’t have any penny.
My baby dog fell from my hand and he’s behaving weird I don’t know what to do and I don’t think we have vets here
My GSP has a hard bump on his head. It’s been there for about 3 weeks and has gone down a little but is still there. He doesn’t have seizures and is acting pretty normal except for his hind leg. He doesn’t want to up it down. I put him on anti inflamatories and pain meds until we can see a vet. He still loves to eat and run outside.
My small puppy that I have tried to jump in my husband’s lap and fell backwards and hit her head pretty hard on some tile and now she is distributing signs of a concussion she is having motor skill dysfunction and she’s tilting her head a lot and her pupils are dilated and they are racing back and forth but she’s not yelping or whining she’s pretty calm for the most part I’m trying to prevent her from having a seizure as best I can do you think that she’s going to be all right or what course of action should I take besides going to the vet right away because I can’t afford that at all and I’m really worried about her
Hello! My puppy had a rough interaction with another dog while on leash and I found a puncture wound to the top of his head. Now he will not entirely raise his ear on the affected side. The puncture wound happend right above the right eye. It was cleaned and treated with antibiotics but wound up reopening. It does not look infected. Thank you.
Should I feed my dog his regular food and amount after he hit his head hard and vomited & should I give him small ice cubes or small amounts of water? He does now have a lump at the point of impact.