Most people move through their days with their dogs happily playing with, caring for, and contentedly thriving on the unbridled, fun energy that a dog inevitably brings to our lives. We tend to take their health and well-being for granted, so when an emergency arises, we often panic. Wouldn't it be comforting to know that you are equipped to handle a sudden crisis if one should pop up? The first aid care suggested in this article is meant to be used as a general guideline to help get you through an emergency until your dog is able to receive proper medical attention. The topics and their solutions are designed to help you feel better prepared in an unfamiliar situation, and can also help you decide what to keep on hand in your "emergency dog care kit" that should be in every household.

1. Sudden Physical Trauma: (such as getting hit by a car or other heavy object, or any similar impact or impalement)

Important: Your dog will need to get to a veterinarian right away, no matter what condition he is in. Even if the dog has no visible signs of bleeding, is conscious, alert, and acting normally, it is essential to get him checked out thoroughly. You can't always tell what internal damage has occurred when a dog is hit hard, and immediate action can prevent further damage. If your dog is conscious, restrain him in a crate or pet carrier during the trip to the veterinarian. Keep the dog calm and quiet, and if possible, let somebody sit in the car with him while another person drives.
If the dog has lost consciousness, secure him to a flat board while moving him in the car, if you can. Otherwise lay the dog out on the back seat with someone sitting with him. If the dog is bleeding, see the section below.

2. Bleeding/Open Wounds:

Apply a clean piece of gauze or cloth over the wound with firm pressure. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 5 minutes or so, call your veterinarian immediately. If the cut is minor and the bleeding slows down and stops soon, make sure to keep the area clean and dry until the wound heals or the dog can get medical attention. If the bleeding is severe, try to get someone to drive you to medical care while you keep firm pressure over the wound in the car at all times.

3. Obstructed/Labored Breathing

First check carefully for any objects that may have gotten stuck in the dog's throat. If you can see something when you fully open your dog's mouth, try to remove it with your finger. If it's too difficult to remove, or you just can't see anything, get the dog medical attention immediately. If your dog loses consciousness and/or stops breathing, immediately call your veterinarian. Knowing emergency CPR can come in handy at times like these; check with your vet about local courses available to you.

4. Exposure To Extreme Temperatures:

If your dog is exposed to severe temperature changes, whether hot or cold, the situation can become very dangerous. Heat: If there is a prolonged exposure to heat, and heat stroke starts to develop, you'll need to cool the dog off right away. Take the dog out of the heat and into a cool environment. Next, wet down the dog's body with cool, not cold, water. Offer water for the dog to drink. If symptoms persist and your dog can't cool off, contact your veterinarian right away. Cold: If your dog is exposed to the cold for a considerable period of time, frostbite and/or hypothermia can set in. Once exposed, wrap your dog snugly in warm blankets to raise the body temperature, then call your veterinarian.

5. Vomiting:

If your dog vomits just once or twice throughout the day, hold off on feeding him for the rest of that day. Offer only small amounts of water, but don't try to force the dog to drink. If the dog stops vomiting, then you can give him small portions of food the next day. Slowly build back up to regular meals. If the vomiting won't stop, becomes severe with dry heaving, or brings up blood, seek medical attention.

6. Trouble With Urinating or Bowel Movements:

If you notice your dog straining either while urinating or during a bowel movement, or he tries to go but can't, get him examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause. There could be several underlying reasons, some quite serious. If your dog cannot urinate at all (you'll see him trying frequently and unsuccessfully to go), this can quickly become a life-threatening condition. It's best to call your vet with any unusual excretion problems. If your dog develops diarrhea, give him foods to help solidify the stool, such as boiled rice and chicken. Make sure your dog stays hydrated - offer water continuously. If the diarrhea is severe or won't get any better, contact your vet. Mild diarrhea can usually be controlled through diet and waiting. With chronic diarrhea, children's Pedialyte works wonderfully to help replace lost fluids and minerals to the body. Be sure to get advice from your vet, first, however. If you find blood in the stool or in the urine, get your dog checked out. It could be a sign of infection, among other things. The veterinarian will probably want you to collect a stool sample, so be prepared.

Other considerations:

Poisons: Don't fool around with any accidental ingestion. There are many common products around the home that can be poisonous to a dog, from certain household plants, to daily cleansers, to antifreeze. Symptoms may not always appear right away, or may disappear and fool you into thinking your dog is fine. Contact your vet immediately when your dog comes into contact with any poison. Better safe than sorry.

Medication: Never give medicine to your dog unless instructed to by a veterinarian. Don't give your dog human medicine such as aspirin or cough syrup without a veterinarian's approval, either. Some can seriously harm, or even kill, a dog if taken improperly. Consult your vet first.

Emergency Dog Care Kit: Last but not least, keeping a fresh supply of health care items in a convenient location (maybe even a kit in the car, too) can help give you peace of mind. Clean bandages, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a thermometer, some blankets, maybe a bottle of water - all can come in handy. Tailor your emergency kit to your own personal needs.

When anything unusual happens to your dog, pay attention to your gut instinct. You know your pet better than anyone, and dog owners have been known to have "sixth sense" about their dog's health. If you feel something is wrong, keep a close eye on your dog and contact your veterinarian. It's important to know where your local emergency animal clinic is in case of an emergency during the night or other odd hours, such as holidays. Keep the phone number handy, in case you are away from home when something happens. With a little common sense and some preparation, you will feel much more confident should an unexpected situation arise.