An emergency involving your dog is every dog owner's fear.
If your dog experiences an emergency, will you know what to look for? Will you be able to help? Learn about some of the more common emergency medical situations that can affect dogs so you will be prepared if one ever happens to your dog. s
You should always call your vet in the case of ANY potential emergency, but some incidents are much worse than others. Here are some of the more common and serious types of emergencies you may encounter with your dog at home or in the field.
Medical Emergencies in Dogs:
Respiratory Distress A dog can develop breathing problems for a variety of reasons. Sometimes there is no known cause. In some cases, the pet is choking. If your dog is having trouble breathing or has stopped breathing, know this is one of the most serious of emergencies and it requires attention immediately. Signs of respiratory distress include increased respiratory effort (such as gasping for air or making gagging noises) and gums (and other mucous membranes) that are blue, purple or gray instead of pink.
Trauma Any type of injury or accident that happens to your dog is considered a trauma. Major types of trauma include being hit by a car, getting in a fight, falling from your truck or experiencing any other traumatic event. Minor injuries can also be considered traumas, such as cutting a paw on something sharp or tearing a toenail. Pets that have undergone traumas may experience shock, wounds, broken bones, head injury, internal injuries and more. Shock is especially common in trauma victims.
Seizures A seizure is the result of abnormal brain activity. Seizures can have a multitude of causes and various manifestations. However, they are always accompanied by altered or loss of consciousness. The most serious of seizures will be violent and long-lasting. Heat Stroke When a dog overheats, heatstroke may occur. More serious than heat exhaustion, heatstroke can quickly leas to death, The most common signs of heatstroke include elevated body temperature (rectal temperature of 106°F or more is heat stroke, but anything over 104°F requires some kind of medical attention).
I had this happen to me one-year dove hunting, the dog went down, so I put my dog in the back seat of my truck, cranked the air conditioning. Thankfully I was close to home so I put him in the dog shower on cool until he came around. Thank God he was fine.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Commonly called bloat or GDV, gastric dilatation-volvulus is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the stomach expands and then rotates, trapping gas inside the stomach and cutting off blood supply to the stomach and spleen. Symptoms typically include a distended (bloated) abdomen, retching or heaving (unproductive), extreme lethargy, excessive salivation, heavy panting, restlessness or pacing, and pale gums.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest A cardiac arrest means that the heart is no longer pumping. The dog typically collapses, loses consciousness, and stops breathing. Dogs do not suffer from heart attacks in the same way humans do. There is usually an underlying condition that stops the heart. If the unthinkable happens and your dog's heart suddenly stops, the only thing you can do is attempt CPR as soon as possible.
Toxins Many substances can be toxic to your dog. Your dog may ingest something poisonous or simply come into contact with a dangerous chemical. Symptoms depend on the type of toxin and the type and amount of exposure.
What to Do in Case of Emergency
When your dog has a medical emergency, the first thing you should usually do is contact the vet. However, there are times when you will need to take immediate action to save your dog's life before you get to the vet.
Please familiarize yourself with some basic first aid for dogs, and invest in a good emergency kit too for your pup.
It could save a dog's life someday.
WWL
Pick a feather
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