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It seems inevitable that, no matter how well we watch over our pets, or provide a safe environment, we can never completely prevent harm from finding our pets. When that unfortunate occasion presents itself, we must be prepared.

A well-stocked first-aid kit should include gauze pads, rolls, and bandages. A rectal thermometer, tweezers, Hydrogen Peroxide, antibiotic ointment, instant cold packs, rags or towels, a tourniquet, custom splints, a muzzle, and all your pet's paperwork and necessary numbers.

If your pet is sick or has been severely injured, you must approach them carefully and quietly, because even the friendliest pet is capable of biting or scratching its owner. It's necessary to muzzle your pet when taking care of them to prevent both injury to you and him.

The first thing you need to do is assess the situation of your dog. Are they suffering from a broken bone, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, severe bleeding internally or externally, snake or insect stings or bites or have they collapsed or are seizuring.

Once you have addressed your pet's situation, you'll need to take their vital signs. To check your pet's pulse, place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg, then slide your fingers upward, until the back of your hand is touching the abdomen and you can feel the pulse of the femoral artery with your fingertips. To get an accurate count of the beats per minute (bpm), count the number of beats every 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. The normal number of beats per minute for a dog at rest is between 60-160.

If your dog has sustained a broken bone, you'll need to seek veterinary care immediately. In order to transport your dog, you'll need a hard, flat surface padded with blankets. Do not attempt to set the broken bone, or push a protruding bone back into place. Your pet will need to be lightly, but securely secured to the stretcher. You'll need to secure your vet's broken leg, before getting them to the vet. To do this, wrap the broken limb in gauze padding, then wrap with a towel, or some type of cloth and two stiff pieces of wood. Your homemade splint should extend above and below the fractured joint. Wrap the splint with tape, making sure not to cut off blood flow.

If your dog is bleeding, either internally or externally, you need to get them to a vet. Firmly press a gauze pad over the wound, until the bleeding stops and clotting occurs. If your pet is bleeding profusely,

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