A dog in shock should be transported lying down on a flat surface or in a ham- mock stretcher to facilitate breathing and to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure. Suspect a broken back or spinal cord injury in any dog who is unconscious or unable to stand after a fall from a height or after being struck by a car. These dogs require special handling. See Treating Head Injuries, and Spinal Cord Injuries for more on what to do in these cases.