GotoAID Dogs - Electrical Shock

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GotoAID does not provide any medical advice or treatment, it is solely for informational purposes only

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Electrical Shock

Since your pet is a curious creature and loves to play with everything in sight, they may end up playing with an electrical cord. Playing with this can result in an electrical shock and can trigger a seizure or stop the heart. Usually a clear cut sign that your pet has been shocked is a burned strip across the tongue called an "electrical bite." Even if your pet seems fine it can cause an erratic heartbeat or problems with breathing in a few days, it is crucial to have your pet checked out by a vet immediately.

Symptoms

Burns Inside Mouth	Panting
Singed Hair or Whiskers	Blue Gum Color
Coughing	Muscle Tremors
Difficulty Breathing	Collapse

Steps

Make sure to disconnect the power before touching your dog by shutting off the main circuit breaker or pull the power cord and/or move the dog to a safer place

Make it easier to breathe by extending and aligning your dog’s head and neck.

If your pet is non-responsive (loses consciousness) and has stopped breathing, be prepared to give artificial respiration by closing your dog’s mouth with one or two hands and gently breathe into your dog’s nostrils.

Administer 5-10 breaths per minute for large dogs and 10-20 breaths per minute for small dogs. With each breath, one should see the chest slightly rise.

Keep breathing for your dog until he/she is able to breathe on its own or until veterinary help is available.

Check that your dog’s heart is still beating by feeling for the heart on your dog’s chest and/or feeling for your dog’s pulse. (The pulse is easily felt in the femoral artery located on the inside of the thigh.)

If no pulse or heart beat is felt, begin CPR outlined below.

With pet on its side locate the heart which is easily found at the point where the elbow bends to meet the chest

For small dogs, begin chest compressions over the point of the heart by squeezing with one hand with the dog laying on its side.

For medium & large dogs, begin chest compressions over the point of the heart using a hand over hand technique over the highest point of the chest and locking your elbows as you go with the dog laying on its side.