Bleeding: Put direct pressure on the wound by using a clean cloth directly on the wound. If the blood soaks through, apply more cloths, but do not remove the first cloth. You can also apply pressure to the arterial pressure points on the inside of the front and rear legs.

Fractures: Stabilize with cardboard, rolled up towels or newspaper to make temporary splints. Do not allow the dog to stand.

Chemical Spills: Flush affected areas with lots of water. Chemicals in the eyes should be flushed for 10 minutes.

Heat Stroke: Body temperature can go over 105 degrees.  Early signs are: rapid panting and fast heart rate. Cover pet with a cool, wet blanket and get pet to well-ventilated area.  Proceed to Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic or the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital.

Poisoning: If the dog has swallowed a non-caustic poison (one that does not burn going down) within the last hour, induce vomiting by forcing pet to drink ½ to 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide depending on body size. Go to our page on Pets and Poison for posion control phone numbers and a list of poisonous plants.

Cuts and Puncture Wounds: If your pet has been in a fight with another animal, first get your pet calmed down. Then look for cuts and puncture wounds. These will usually be around the neck, face, ears, and chest. If the skin is puncture, we recommend you clean around the wound and make an appoinment to visit your veterinarian.

• No spontaneous breathing
• No heartbeat or pulse
• Grey-colored mucous membranes
• Dilated pupils that are not responsive to light

Make sure the animal is actually unconscious. Attempt to awaken the pet by talking softly and touching it gently. You can be seriously injured if you attempt to give CPR to a pet who was only sleeping heavily.

Open the airway by tilting the neck and head slightly back. Carefully pull the tongue between the front teeth. Sweep the mouth with your finger (only if you are sure the pet is unconscious).

Check for breathing. Look, listen, and feel for air. Watch for the rise and fall of the chest.

If the pet is not breathing, close its mouth and hold it closed, place your mouth over the animal's nose, and blow forcefully, Give 4 or 5 quick breaths, then check for a pulse. This is rescue breathing.

If the animal has a pulse, give rescue breathing, not CPR. If the animal has no pulse, give CPR

Rescue Breathing Rates:

• Cat or small dog (< 30 pounds): 20 - 30 breaths per minute, or a breath every 2 to 3 seconds.
• Medium or large dog (> 30 pounds): 20 breaths per minute, or a breath every 3 seconds.

1. Lay the animal on its right side and kneel next to the pet with its chest facing you.
2. Place the palm of one hand over the ribs at the point where the elbow touches the chest and place the other hand beneath the right side of the body.
3. Compress the chest 1/2 to 1 inch.
4. If you are alone, give 5 compressions (at a rate of 80 - 100 per minute) to 1 breath of air.
5. If someone is with you, have one person give compressions at a rate of 3 compressions to 1 breath of air from the other person. Stop and check for a pulse. Continue CPR as needed up to to 20 minutes.

CPR for a Medium to Large Dog (30 - 90 lbs):

1. Place the animal on its left side and kneel next to the pet with its back facing you.
2. Place your hands (one hand on top of the other) on the animal at the point where the left elbow of the front leg lies when pulled back to the chest.
3. Compress the chest 1 to 3 inches.
4. If you are alone, give 5 compressions (at a rate of 80 - 100 per minute) to 1 breath of air.
5. If someone is with you, have one person give compressions at a rate of 2 - 3 compressions to 1 breath of air from the other person. Stop and check for a pulse. Continue CPR as needed up to to 20 minutes.

CPR for a Giant Dog (> 90 lbs):

1. Place the animal on its left side and kneel next to the pet with its back facing you.
2. Place your hands (one hand on top of the other) on the animal at the point where the left elbow of the front leg lies when pulled back to the chest.
3. Compress the chest 1 to 3 inches.
4. If you are alone, give 10 compressions (at a rate of 80 - 100 per minute) to 1 breath of air.
5. If someone is with you, have one person give compressions at a rate of 6 compressions to 1 breath of air from the other person. Stop and check for a pulse. Continue CPR as needed up to to 20 minutes.

Continue CPR for up to 15 - 20 minutes, preferably while transporting your pet to professional emergency care, or while waiting for such care.