How will I know if my dog needs first aid?

Sudden changes, whether the dog has collapsed or is now bleeding—in those cases, first aid definitely should come into play, and usually by a veterinarian.

That's a tricky one to answer because there are so many medical conditions that can happen to a dog. It’s difficult and bordering on impossible to tell you if your dog does this or that, they need first aid. First aid is providing medical care in an emergency, so I think things like lacerations and blood loss are the most obvious and common things that you as a pet owner would see, be able to recognize immediately, and administer first aid to.

Maybe if your dog has a history of seizures, and you already have anti-seizure medications, then you might argue that giving that animal a higher dose of anti-seizure medications might be administering first aid. I can’t argue with that. That might be something that would be good too, but it just depends on what's going on as to what kind of first aid that could be remedied or used. If there's any question of what's going on or what needs to be done, get on the phone and call your veterinarian, and they can walk you through what needs to be done more accurately.

You'll know because you're observing them. Indications such as bleeding, limping, or clear cuts signal that first aid is necessary. A bone stuck on the lower jaw also requires immediate attention. If your dog appears to be choking, inspect their mouth for blockages. This should be done quickly as there's limited time for resuscitation if they lose their airway. If your dog's behavior isn't normal and mirrors a situation where a child would need first aid, it's likely that your dog needs first aid too.