Cuts/Scratches: Maybe your dog has been fighting with something, or maybe he ran afoul of a fence. Regardless, he has cuts or scratches. For minor scratches, apply an antiseptic (you may also want to trim the hair around the area.) For deeper cuts, take a trip to the vet so he can determine whether or not your dog needs stitches.

Shock: Due to injury or illness, your dog is lethargic and may be shivering. To treat for shock, cover the dog with blankets and keep him warm.

Fleas/Ticks/Mites: A variety of insect pests can infest your pet. A variety of commercially-available treatments are on the market; just make sure that you treat and clean the dog's bedding and the surrounding area as well as the dog

Worms: Heartworms, tapeworms, hookworms... a variety of parasites can infect your pet, putting him in serious danger as time goes by and they grow larger. If your dog begins losing weight, seems ill, or you notice worms in his waste.

Constipation/Diarrhea: Should your dog become constipated, try changing his diet to include more fiber and roughage. If diarrhea is the problem, switch to a bland diet, cutting out a lot of the meat and adding more vegetable protein.

Poison: Call your vet immediately to alert them of the situation and to get advice for immediate treatment. Depending upon the poison, you may be instructed to give the dog milk or some other liquid, or might be told to induce vomiting.

Illness: A variety of illnesses can afflict dogs, including but not limited to distemper, tracheobronchitis, hepatitis, leptopirosis, and rabies. As soon as your dog starts acting strangely or showing any signs of illness, get him to a vet so that he can be examined.

New puppies should be vaccinated with these immunizations :

Distemper - viral disease that damages the liver
Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that damages the liver
Hepatitis - viral disease that damages the liver
Parvovirus - harms the intestinal tract
Parainfluenza - causes respiratory
Rabies - attacks the nervous system
Lyme disease - bacterial infection transmitted by parasitic deer ticks
Kennel cough - respiratory disease
Coronavirus - targets the intestinal tract
Roundworms - intestinal parasites
Heartworm - damages heart tissue

Regardless of how much we wish it wasn't so, our pets can get sick or injured just like we can. If you are in doubt about how serious the issue is, take them to the vet.