First Aid – Collapse

from DOG WORLD MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021

by Dogs Queensland

Rates Guide

COLLAPSE

Joanne Bibby – Fursafe®

You’re walking along with your dog and out of the blue your pup collapses!

If your dog collapses, the last thing you want to do is assume their heart has stopped and you fly into CPR.

If your dog’s heart is beating, you could actually stop it by administering CPR.

CPR is only to be used on a dog after you have ascertained that there is no pulse!

What we need to do is follow a set of protocols and leave the rest up to the Vet.

CAUSES OF COLLAPSE The following substances may cause an allergic reaction within your dog: • Medical condition; • Allergic reaction to insect sting or bite (e.g., bees, wasps, ants); • Electric shock; • Heat stroke; • Poisoning, i.e., ticks, chemicals including fumes; • Seizure; • Choking; • Snake bite; • Cane Toad toxin; • Excessive exercise.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Where medical conditions are known your Vet will advise the best precautions for your dog, however assuming no known conditions exist, consider the following: • Limit exercise to cooler parts of the day and where possible keep to the shade as much as possible; • Assess the area where your dog is exploring, what can you see that may be out of place, unusual or toxic; • Keep chemicals out of reach; don’t leave them around the garden; • Fence off any area where you use pesticides or rodenticides; • Check for ticks after your dog has been to the park, played in long grasses or bush lands; • Identify the plants in and around your home and remove if they are toxic; • Check out where your dog is walking or what they are standing on to reduce the risk of being stung or bitten; • Lock away medications; • Talk to your Vet about other potential allergies; • Vaccinate as scheduled by your Vet.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Your dog may show some or all of the following: • Your dog may appear confused, disorientated or dazed. • Eyes do not seem to focus. • Breathing speeds up. • Gums have altered in colour; pale even, possibly dark pink / red or blue. • They begin to wobble as they walk. • Involuntarily falling over. • Collapsed out of the blue.

a. Check the airway for blockages or foreign objects; remove if there is. If your dog has been vomiting finger swipe or use a tongue depressor to scoop out the vomit. Keep airway open; extend neck, pull tongue forward. b. Check the breathing (respirations) e.g., count the rise and fall of the chest – start artificial respiration if not breathing. Is the breathing normal or shallow, fast or not breathing?

Monitor all the way to the Vet! c. Check circulation (pulse) – does your dog have a pulse? Start CPR if no pulse.

2. Undertake a secondary assessment. Work your hands and eyes head to tail – don’t forget to include in between paws, in ears, mouth, genitals, tail. 3. If your dog vomits or defecates report description of contents to Vet.

4. Treat for shock.

5. Assess for possible spinal injury; secure to stretcher. 6. Monitor / manage for seizures. 7. Assess for possible snake bite and treat as required.

8. Assess and treat for possible heat stroke.

9. Assess for possible tick paralysis and remove ticks as required.

10. Assess and treat for possible cane toad poisoning. 11. If dog is breathing, try rubbing a little honey into gums or on lips. 12. Wrap dog in blanket securely and place in create or box.

13. Speak soothingly and stroke to keep calm and quiet.

14. Transport to Vet.

15. Monitor breathing during transport to vet. If you can get someone to drive you: • Sit in the back with your dog. • Monitor during transport to vet to make sure your dog is breathing. • If your dog stops breathing, begin artificial respiration. • If your dog’s heart stops beating, begin CPR.

References: Fursafe® Emergency Dog First Aid Kit, Fursafe® Emergency Dog First Aid Guide and Fursafe® Emergency Dog Heat Relief Kit