The following information is provided to help you care for your pet in the event of an emergency and until veterinary help can be provided. Medication should not be administered without first consulting your veterinarian, as human medication may not have the same result on an animal and could cause further problems. Unless you are in an emergency situation please contact your veterinarian for help with any questions you may have or to report symptoms about which you may be concerned.

Shock

Usually brought on by internal bleeding. The dog will be completely prostrate and will have glassy eyes and shallow breathing. His legs and ears will be cold and the gums pale. Cover the dog for warmth and take it immediately to your vet or emergency animal hospital.

Poisoning

Contact the nearest Poison Control Centre. This number should be kept in a place where all family members can find it easily. If you know what poison the dog ingested it makes it easier for the Center or your veterinarian to advise you. Do not induce vomiting without the advice of a veterinarian, as it could be dangerous. Keep poisons out of reach of your pets, as you would do with children. ALWAYS consider antifreeze a very dangerous poison and never allow your animals in an area where antifreeze is being poured.

Common canine poisons

Ibuprofen
(Advil, Nurofen). This over the counter for human use painkiller is extremely toxic to dogs (and cats). As little as one tablet can cause gastric ulceration, liver damage, kidney failure and death. It is the most common cause of poisoning in the pet.

Paracetamol
Another human use painkiller. This drug produces toxic by products as it is used by the body. Dogs (and cats) cannot break these toxins down and so they quickly become poisoned by them. (As little as half a 500mg tablet can be enough to kill an adult cat).
(Tragically both of the above drugs are often given by owners seeking to relieve a pets discomfort without realising the potential consequences - there is absolutely no indication for the use of these drugs in pets).

Metaldehyde (slug bait)
Dogs seem to find these small blue coloured slug pellets tasty. If they ingest enough of this poison they become overexcited, begin to have fits and eventually fall into a coma and die. Whenever you treat your garden with slug bait ensure that you fence off the treated areas to prevent the pet getting access to the poison.

Warfarin (Rat poison)
Pets either eat the poison directly or they find and eat a rodent which was killed by warfarin. Ingestion of this poison will prevent an animal's blood from clotting and they can bleed to death

Cannabis
This recreational drug is quite commonly ingested by pets. Although the relative quantities ingested can be quite high (no pun intended) the drug rarely causes serious side-effects. Overexcitement, drooling and increased sweating. Occasionally an affected pet will seem unaware of its surroundings and it has been reported that these pets are often have an increased appetite.

Chocolate
Typically seen at Christmas when a pet raids the selection boxes. The active ingredient is theobromine and can cause death if eaten in enough quantity.

Anti-freeze
If ingested anti-freeze forms crystals in the kidney rapidly causing kidney failure and death. dogs seem to find the taste of antifreeze appealing so it is vital to keep it stored appropriately. Thankfully as motor vehicles become less serviceable by the lay-man, incidences of anti-freeze toxicity are becoming less frequent.
 

Please remember: The sooner a pet suspected of being poisoned receives treatment, the higher its chances of recovery. If you think that your pet has been poisoned then contact your veterinary emergency service immediately, your pet's life may well depend on it.

 

Heatstroke

Most often caused by confining the dog in a car that is left in the sun. Breathing becomes very rapid and labored and the dog appears to be near collapse. Drenching the dog in cold water to reduce the body heat helps significantly. The best first aid in this case is to leave your dog at home when the weather is hot or you must make stops. Do not leave your dog in an unattended car in hot weather.

Signs of heat stroke
Signs of heat stroke are intense, rapid panting, wide eyes, salivating, staggering and weakness. Advanced heat stroke victims will collapse and become unconscious. The gums will appear pale and dry. If heat stroke is suspected and you can take the animal's temperature rectally, any temperature above 106 degrees is dangerous. The longer the temperature remains at or above 106 degrees the more serious the situation. If you return to your car or the area in which the animal was confined and find your pet seems to be highly agitated, wide-eyed and panting uncontrollably... start for the nearest animal hospital right away with the air conditioning at full blast. Otherwise get the dog to a cool area and begin the treatment for heat stroke.

Treatment for heat stroke
Take the pet's temperature rectally if possible. A body temperature of about 105 degrees or higher is probable evidence for heat stroke. Place your pet in a tub of cool running water or spray with a hose being sure the cool water contacts the skin and doesn't simply run off the coat. Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs. Run the cool water over the tongue and mouth. Take a rectal temperature if possible to know when to stop cooling. A safe temperature is about 103 degrees. A small dog will cool down much faster than a large dog. Once the temperature gets to 103 or 104 degrees do not cool the pet any further because the cooling effects will continue to bring the temperature down even further. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

If you are near an animal hospital, go there right away. At the animal hospital they may administer oxygen, cortisone and dextrose to help protect the traumatized cells. The staff can provide proper cooling measures and monitor the dog's temperature, heart rate and provide oxygen which some evidence indicates may help protect stressed body cells. Providing intravenous fluids and anticoagulants may be utilized as well.

What does heat stroke do?
In severe cases, the elevated body temperature triggers chemical reactions in the cells of the body... highly active cells such as brain, intestinal and liver cells are at greatest risk for heat trauma. The metabolic disturbances brought on by excessive heat instigate the release of chemicals within the cells that cause the ultimate destruction a breakage of the cell. Most heat stroke victims are dehydrates, as well, and their blood thickens to the point that the heart has severe stresses placed on it in trying to pump the abnormally viscous blood through the blood vessels. The result is stagnation of blood, blood clotting and eventual death of tissues due to what is termed ischemic necrosis. Wherever a clot forms, the tissues nourished by that clogged vessel die from metabolic starvation. The dying cells give off chemicals that further damage surrounding tissues and a point is reached beyond which no recovery is possible. In some unfortunate situations where the heat stroke victim has experienced a dangerously high body temperature for a length of time such that too many brain and other body cells have been damaged, no matter what life saving measures are employed and bioprotective medications are administered, death will result.

How to avoid heat stroke
Always be careful about leaving pets in vehicles or tied out in the direct sunlight during warm, sunny days... even a few minutes can be critical. And flea markets and other outdoor activities are often the worst place to bring a dog on a hot summer day. Factors that increase an animal's risk of developing heat stroke include:

* water deprivation
* enclosed space
* excessive humidity
* obesity * exercise
* age
* cardiovascular disease
* lack of acclimatization

Remember the information given is only a guide

and you should always check with your veterinarian if you think

there is a problem or before administering any medication.

 

 

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Thanks to Cliff Sheardown, Brian Owen, Ian Cook, Jackie Smart, Tina and Mark Walker and Urko.