COLLAPSE Joanne Bibby – Fursafe®
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You’re walking along with your dog and out of the blue your pup collapses!
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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:
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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:
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DOG WORLD October 2021
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;
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Keep chemicals out of reach; don’t leave them around the garden;
Fence off any area where you use pesticides or rodenticides;
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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;
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Check out where your dog is walking or what they are standing on to reduce the risk of being stung or bitten;
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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:
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Your dog may appear confused, disorientated or dazed.
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Eyes do not seem to focus.
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They begin to wobble as they walk.
Breathing speeds up. Gums have altered in colour; pale even, possibly dark pink / red or blue. Involuntarily falling over. Collapsed out of the blue.
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First Aid:
