GotoAID Dogs - Gunshot Wound

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

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Gunshot Wound

Pets can get injured during hunting season. Even more common is that they are shot intentionally for trespassing or animal cruelty. The wound will depend on the type of gun used and the distance it was shot from as the closer and larger caliber bullet used will cause serious damage. Usually the exit wound is typically much larger than the entry wound. This is an extremely dangerous wound and requires immediate emergency medical assistance.

Symptoms

Bleeding	Shock
Pain

Steps

Check ABC’s of life support--Airway, breathing, circulation. Can you see, feel, or hear your pet breathing? If your pet is not breathing, begin rescue breathing immediately.

If your pet is non-responsive 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.

Check for bleeding.

Apply a clean cloth or gauze pad to the bleeding wound with firm direct pressure. If blood soaks through the pad, apply another pad over it and apply pressure. Do not remove the pad or cloth underneath it.

If the lung is punctured, you will hear a “sucking sound.” Apply gauze to the bleeding puncture wound. Secure the gauze with adhesive tape.

Place a plastic bag over the gauzed area of lung puncture. Secure the plastic bag on 3 sides only with tape.

Treat and check for signs of shock. (Signs of shock include weakness, pale or grey gums, body temperature changes, & rapid breathing.) Slightly rise your pet’s back end to increase blood flow to the heart. Keep your pet warm with a blanket if cold. If your pet is hot, cool down with cold compresses to the chest and abdomen.

To prevent drying of any organs exposed wet a towel or pillowcase with water or contact lens solution and hold it against the organs and use saran wrap to wrap around your dogs body to keep the padding in place

If there is any blood in the eyes, nose, or mouth and if he can't or refuses to get up could have a back injury, in this case move him as little as possible by laying a flat rigid object like a board under him and place a blanket over him to hold him in place during transport

Warnings

DO NOT place a muzzle on your dog if he is having trouble breathing

DO NOT remove initial cloth as it will remove the clot trying to form

Pets can die from shock in 10 – 20 minutes unless they get veterinarian help

Tips

Signs of shock may include weakness, collapse, pale or grey colored gums, irregular breathing, high heart rate, weak pulse and body temperature changes (e.g. very cold or very hot)

Apply a muzzle if necessary to administer first aid

Make sure to get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible

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