My dog might be hurt but I don't know?

Question

My 15 year old picked up her cat, and when it meowed the dog came sprinting down the hall. So my daughter started jogging so she could beat the dog to the stairs. The dog went running across the stair opening right as my daughter ran across to the stairs and her knees hit the dog by her rib cage, and the dog fell over one step into our living room and may have hit the chair and a table. She got up wimpering and she whined for almost five minutes before she stopped. When I had her get up to walk, she was fine, but I'm afraid I might be missing something. Please help me, I need to know if she may have hurt something internally

She's a German Shepherd
It only happened an hour ago.

Answer 1

When the dog is calm and rested, gently probe around the ribs and various joints. If the dog reacts or whines or winces, take them to a vet. If you get no reaction but the dog still behaves as though it is hurt, or if you have any doubts...take the dog to a vet.

Answer 2

I'd get to to taking him to training immediately. Just because he's a lab doesn't mean he can't be dangerous that's what media has put it that beagles, labs' and golden retrievers can't hurt anyone but they can if not trainined right. My lab has a habit of lunging and barking and she's stoped lunging because I'm using a prong collar but only after I got stronger(physically and mentally). Train him immediately and don't give the he's too young thing. Also you have to be assertive and not wavering for the dog and use alpha methods. Until he has be successfully trained do not get another dog be he is a dominant type and may take it too far. Also the lab means nothing because our lab is dominating too but in a smart sense but I still have to roll her over even though she is a 65 lb. dog so your dog will be an ongoing dominance thing.

Answer 3

I don't think you've done too much damage, they will often whimper if something is a bit sore for a while after an incident such as this. If she is walking fine then I think you're ok. If she starts to look tired and she won't get up, or she won't eat or something, then you should definitely take her to the vet. My big clumsy great dane just broke a rib, similar sort of accident, there's nothing that can be done about a broken rib anyway. It will only be a problem if the rib has pierced a lung, keep an eye on her breathing....good luck.

Answer 4

Well.. if she broke her rib, there isn't much the vet can do .. The problem would come if the rib did some internal damage.. puncture the lung etc.. If she seems to have a hard time breathing, or seems weak and tired, I would take her in to the vet. If she seems fine otherwise and lets you go over her and she doesn't seem to be in pain or bothered at all.. I would think she is likely fine.. Watch her tho.. and if you notice anything that's off.. give the vet a call and see what he thinks. No running in the house.. This is why! :)

Answer 5

If you are saying she fell some distance and hit a table , you should give her a while to recover, and then check if she has any very sore spots on her chest abdomen or legs. See she is walking properly. Check that she eats and poops normally.

If she seems ok then you might leave it a day. An internal injury though could be very serious if untreated.

If not a vet visit is needed.

Answer 6

I would just watch her.She is probably bruised or may have pulled a muscle.If she's worse in the morning,call your vet.Dogs are pretty tough,and will knock each other around really hard while playing,and by the sound of it,it wasnt a very hard fall.Since it was her rib cage that was hit,watch for any breathing difficulties,but I think she will be fine.

Answer 7

Id say see how she is in the morning since she seems ok, Tomorrow see how she acts, if she is not her self I would take her to a vet asap, you could call the vet tonight and see what they think, they wont charge just to call, but i wouldnt do anything tonight unless it is really seriously otherwise your bill will be outrageous, if it would make you feel better try to make her an appointment to the vet tomorrow to get her checked, some places also have payment plans if you cant afford it

Answer 8

She should be fine. She is walking ok right and isn't showing any signs of injury so I wouldn't worry. But just keep a eye on her for the next two days and never let her use the stairs.

Answer 9

Feel her all around especially on her sides, if she whines, or acts like you are hurting her she might be hurt! It could be just a bruise or worse!If she doesn't act like it hurts she should be fine! I would watch her closely and if she shows any hurting signs then take ger to the vet if no signs in a few days nothing is hurt!

Answer 10

Keep an eye on your dog for 24 hours, watching for any abnormal signs. More than likely the dog is ok, but will be a little sore for a couple of days.