First Aid:
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Burns
Joanne Bibby – Fursafe® This article provides an introduction into the identification and immediate action required when a dog experiences a burn trauma. Given the many ways a dog can be burnt and the size of the subject matter, the article cannot cover all variables. Please call your Vet if ever your dog is burnt, impacted by toxic fumes, has ingested toxic liquids, experienced electric shock or has experienced a vehicle accident.
BURN TRAUMA Burn trauma is when the tissue on a dog’s body is damaged from coming into contact or exposed to:
• Thermal Burns: When the dog comes into contact
with heated objects or liquids e.g., boiling water, hot steam, flame, heated appliances including BBQ hotplates and walking on hot roads.
• Chemical Burns: If a dog ingests, absorbs or inhales
caustic chemicals there is the risk of burns in the mouth/throat, skin, nasal passages and lungs.
• Electrical Burns: Electric shock where electricity passes through the body of the dog causing potential cardiac arrest and damage to other organs.
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DOG WORLD July 2021
Other Burns:
• Friction Burn: If a dog falls out of a moving car the
dog may experience a serious burn from being dragged or skidding on the pavement or roadway. Another way to experience a friction burn is constant rubbing of rope.
• Cold Burn: Frostbite is a cold burn from ice
exposure. The skin blackens and dies usually on the extremities such as ears, toes, paws, tail for example. Frostbite has the potential to cause the loss of the affected extremity.
• Radiation Burns: Overexposure to the sun. Laying
too close to radiators.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS The best way to mitigate the risk of your dog experiencing a burn is to:
• Keep your dog out of the kitchen if you are unable
to stop them from getting under feet or too close to the appliances.
• Keep all wiring and electrical appliances in good
working order and out of reach.
• Don’t leave a hot BBQ unattended. • Ensure that all household and garden chemicals
