After any major physical trauma — hit by a car, attacked by another dog, a bad fall — go to the vet even if your dog seems fine.

Dogs are wired to mask pain, and internal injuries, internal bleeding, or shock can develop slowly after trauma. A dog walking around after being struck by a car can still have life-threatening injuries.

Bleeding:

• Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad

• Hold pressure for at least 3 full minutes without lifting to check — lifting the cloth disturbs the clot

• If blood soaks through, add more material on top rather than removing what's there

• Do not use a tourniquet unless you've been trained to

Suspected broken bone:

• Do not try to splint it — incorrect splinting causes additional injury

• Minimize movement; use a carrier or makeshift stretcher (a stiff board, a folded blanket)

• Keep your dog calm and supported during transport

Transporting an injured dog safely:

• For small dogs: place gently in a carrier or box lined with a blanket

• For large dogs: slide onto a rigid surface (a board, door mat, or flat piece of cardboard) with 2 people if possible

• Support the head, neck, and body as one unit if spinal injury is possible — do not twist or bend

Eye injuries: Any eye injury — scratched cornea, something lodged in the eye, sudden cloudiness, or the eye being held shut in pain — needs same-day veterinary attention. Do not rinse with anything other than sterile saline, and do not let your dog paw at it. Put an e-collar on if you have one.