We do not want to think it would ever happen. Your dog is hit by a car; your favorite canine stops breathing. What to do. Yes, you can and must get your animal to a vet. Yet, there are also several things to do to help your dog survive the emergency.

The first thing you must do is remain calm. I know this easier said than do. It is, however, essential that you do not become hysterical. You need to set aside your emotions.

You must be take control of the situation for the sake of your dog.

Adopt these initial steps if you pet is experiencing a medical emergency.

• Immediately get in touch with your vet or the nearest veterinarian service.

• Approach the animal quietly.

• Speak in a calm, soothing voice. This will reassure your dog.

• If it is possible, wear gloves to protect your hands.

• Restrain the canine to prevent further injury.

• Examine the dog, looking for such things as obvious wounds, signs of trauma.

• Check the pulse and the respiratory rate.

• Make the dog comfortable. If necessary, wrap him or her in a blanket. This will provide cushioning for the trip to the vets. It will also help in case he or she has gone into shock.

Shock

Shock may set in as a result of a severe medical emergency. In this state, the entire cardiovascular system may collapse. In other words, the blood is not receiving enough oxygen. As a result, the dog will suffer breathing problems. Signs include a weak but fast pulse and pale pink or white mucus membranes. If the gums are white, the condition is extremely serious.

You can help any dog suffering from shock in 3 ways. Wrap them up. This will keep them warm. Keep them quiet. This will decrease further stress factors on the system. Rush them ASAP to a vet.

Bleeding

If your dog is found bleeding, check the source of the wound immediately. In some cases, you can treat them at home. Others require a vet’s immediate attention. What you can do may be minimal, but you may be able to help your pet survive.

• If there is bleeding from the mouth or nose monitor the amounts. Substantial blood loss can be life-threatening. You can try applying ice packs or cold compresses to the affected areas. This will slow down the bleeding.

• Cuts and wounds on the skin may be simple. You can wash and let them repair themselves. They usually do so with the passage of time and a lick or 2 of the dog’s tongue. However, if the wounds are deeper gashes, you will need to go to the vet. Until you can, adopt this basic principle of first aid: apply pressure. This will slow down or stop the bleeding.

• If your dog comes in with bleeding foot pads, it may come as no surprise. These bleed a lot when cut. Usually, they are not life-threatening. If these seem to be severe, apply pressure. Use a pressure bandage to stench and stop the flow. Placing a sock over the foot will, theoretically, help hold the bandage in position. Be sure you do not cut off the animal’s blood circulation by keeping the sock too tightly in place.

• In the cases of blood loss, avoid the application of tourniquets. They may result in the loss of a limb. This is because a tourniquet cuts off all blood circulation to that limb.

• If the dog has a bleeding wound higher up on his or her leg, use a pressure bandage.

These are a few ways to help your dog in an emergency. The next part will look at several more.

Information provided by Eric Swantek of ohmydogsupplies.com, check out our cool selection of little dog clothes online.