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Falls
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Pets have the potential to be seriously hurt even when falling from heights as low as 2-3 feet (0.5 - 1 meters). Dogs are commonly injured jumping out of beds of moving pick up trucks or pups jumping off furniture or their owner’s laps. The most common injuries are broken bones and internal injuries.

Symptoms

Steps
1   Check ABC’s of life support--Airway, breathing, circulation. Can you see, feel, or hear your pet breathing? If your pet is not breathing, begin rescue breathing immediately.
2   If your pet is non-responsive and has stopped breathing, be prepared to give artificial respiration by closing your dog’s mouth with one or two hands and gently breathe into your dog’s nostrils.
3   Administer 5-10 breaths per minute for large dogs and 10-20 breaths per minute for small dogs. With each breath, one should see the chest slightly rise.
4   Keep breathing for your dog until he/she is able to breathe on its own or until veterinary help is available.
5   Check that your dog’s heart is still beating by feeling for the heart on your dog’s chest and/or feeling for your dog’s pulse. (The pulse is easily felt in the femoral artery located on the inside of the thigh.)
6   If no pulse or heart beat is felt, begin CPR.
7   Check for bleeding.
8   Apply a clean cloth or gauze pad to the bleeding wound with firm direct pressure. If blood soaks through the pad, apply another pad over it and apply pressure. Do not remove the pad or cloth underneath it.
9   If bleeding is not well controlled, one can apply a pressure bandage by wrapping the wound with several layers of gauze and then using an elastic bandage, duct tape, or masking tape over it to maintain pressure.
10   Treat and check for signs of shock. (Signs of shock include weakness, pale or grey gums, body temperature changes, & rapid breathing.) Slightly rise your pet’s back end to increase blood flow to the heart. Keep your pet warm with a blanket if cold. If your pet is hot, cool down with cold compresses to the chest and abdomen.
11   Check for broken bones. If there is an obvious injury occurring below the elbow joint (located on the front limbs) or below the knee joint (located on the rear limbs), a splint can be applied to temporarily stabilize the injured limb until veterinary help is available. Split the injured limb by securing it with a firm material such as a rolled up newspaper or magazine placed on the inside and outside of the limb. Secure the splint with duct tape or rope.
12   Prior to transport if available, you can provide extra stabilization by using plywood or solid object as a stretcher. Ensure your dog does not fall off by securing him to the board with tape or rope.
13   Transport your dog to the nearest veterinary hospital.
Warnings
Be aware of your personal safety. Animals in pain will often bite or hurt their well-meaning owner. Be prepared to restrain your dog by wrapping it in a towel or applying a muzzle so that you can administer first aid care.
DO NOT attempt to apply a splint to a broken bone without proper restraint.
DO NOT attempt to splint a broken bone if you are unsure where the injury is as splints placed incorrectly can cause more injury.
Tips
Signs of shock may include weakness, collapse, pale or grey colored gums, irregular breathing, high heart rate, weak pulse and body temperature changes (e.g. very cold or very hot)
Try to keep your dog calm by speaking with soothing words or gently stroking him

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GotoAID does not provide any medical advice or treatment, it is solely for informational purposes only