Puppy fell from a bed or sofa: dog first aid

What to do

1. Check that your puppy is breathing normally and responds to you.
2. Look at its gums. Pale or white gums, trouble breathing or any of the signs below mean go to a vet now.
3. If a wound is bleeding, press a clean cloth on it. A nosebleed after a fall can mean a head injury: don't try to stop it, just go to the vet.
4. To carry a small puppy, support it under the chest and in front of the back legs, or slide it onto a baking tray. Keep it as still as you can.
5. Call your vet for advice even if your puppy seems fine. Tiny puppies can get a serious head injury from a short fall.
6. If your vet says to watch at home, keep your puppy resting quietly, for example in a crate, and watch it closely for the next 24 to 48 hours.
7. Call your vet if it gets sleepy, weak or wobbly, stops eating, or hasn't peed within 24 hours or pooped within 48 hours.

Signs

• Trouble breathing
• Pale or white gums
• Dazed, confused or not answering to its name
• Pupils of different sizes
• Wobbling or loss of balance
• Blood from the nose, mouth or eyes
• Seizures or passing out
• Limping, not using a leg, or pain when touched

When signs appear: Right away, or hours to days later

Why

Small dogs can be hurt by much shorter falls than big dogs, including head, chest and leg injuries. Some injuries are obvious right away, but others don't show for hours or days.