It is a sad fact of life that every day, vets have to attend to dogs that have been injured in many number of ways. The most common reason for an injured dog requiring to be lifted is if he has been run over. Of course, you can do your best to prevent this happening by ensuring that your dog is well trained and that he is ALWAYS on a lead when walking near a road. A simple lead may be enough to stop the heartbreak of your canine companion coming to grief on the roads. Other injuries can include falls from a height or moving vehicle, electrocution, drowning or even running through a window that the dog didn't see in his excitement.
It is natural for you to panic and want to grab your dog and rush him off to the vet, but it's important that you follow a few simple steps to ensure both yours and your dog's safety.
The first thing you should do is assess the scene for both yours and your dog's safety, e.g. from falling objects, electrical wires, traffic. You only want to be moving your dog to protect him from further danger.
The next and most important point to remember is that any dog, even the most loving, docile dog, can bite when they are in severe pain and/or shock. Unless a dog requires administration of CPR, the first thing you should do is to muzzle him. A makeshift muzzle can be made out of a variety of items, such as a scarf, pair of tights or a stocking or a piece of bandage or even his lead (as long as it's not a chain lead!!). Take whatever you are using as a muzzle, fold it in half, place this under his chin, bring the ends up and over his muzzle and tie together, firmly but not too tightly. Pass the ends back under his chin, tie again and then bring the ends to the back of his neck and tie again with a quick release knot. The muzzle should fit firmly without cutting in.
Now it is safe to examine his injuries. Remember the ABCs of first aid. Airway, breathing and circulation.
Check for any wounds and cuts and deformities to any limbs.
Attend to any bleeding, as appropriate.
Now it's time to try and move your dog. If he has been run over or fallen from a height or you believe that there may be any risk of spinal injury, it would be preferred to try and find a piece of board or something that is firm enough to give support without bending.
In the absence of anything like this, use a sturdy blanket or even a coat. If you're out in the middle of nowhere, it's possible to make a sturdy stretcher from a jacket and two poles or sturdy branches. Turn the sleeves of the coat to the inside, run the poles or branches up the sleeves, then zip or fasten the coat up. This gives a double layer of fabric for extra strength. If you can find another piece of wood to act as a brace between the two sides, then all the better. Always test a makeshift stretcher before use! You don't want it to break and your dog to fall off! You can also use whatever garments are to hand to pack round the neck and spine to try and support it.
Take the board and lay it flat on the ground as close to the dog's back as possible. If using a blanket, tightly roll the blanket width ways for about halfway and then tuck the rolled up edge as close in to your dog's back as possible.
If you have the assistance of another person, get them to support the head and neck and then very carefully roll the dog straight over onto the board or blanket, taking great care to keep the head, neck and spine in line.
If you are alone, then stand behind your dog, and using the hips and shoulders, drag him onto the blanket or board and then use it to drag him to the car.
If your dog is conscious but appears unable to use the hind legs, you can use a towel or blanket to form a sling to support the hind legs while he uses his front legs to move towards your vehicle. To make a sling, simply fold the towel in half lengthways and slip it under his belly, then hold the two ends and gently and slowly lift.
If you are strong enough to lift with one hand, walk alongside him offering lots of encouragement. If you need to use both hands to lift him, straddle his rear end and lift.