No one likes to imagine the worst. But what would you do if your dog or cat needed resuscitation and you were the only one around? Knowing the A-B-C’s could save your furry friend’s life.

“A” stands for airway. A gagging or unconscious pet may be choking. Performing abdominal thrusts, aka, the Heimlich maneuver, on your pet can dislodge objects blocking the airway.

Next, “B” is for breathing. Mouth-to-snout resuscitation is certainly not a very efficient form of breathing, but it has occasionally saved lives.

Finally, “C” means circulation, which starts with the heart. If your pet doesn’t have a detectable heartbeat, perform chest compressions to get the heart pumping.

For training, consider a pet first-aid class offered by the Red Cross. Above all, know how to contact and transport your pet to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.