COMPRESSIONS / RESCUE BREATHING TECHNIQUE CHART
HEAT EXHAUSTION / HEATSTROKE
Heat Exhaustion
CAUSES
Often related to prolonged exposure to excessively hot and humid environment.
SIGNS
- Weakness and unsteady gait
- Skin cool to touch
- Pupils dilated
- Gums and tongue are bright red at first followed by pale grayish-pink
- Body temperature subnormal
- Nausea and vomiting
ACTION TO TAKE
- Remove to a cool area
- Try to give small amounts of water to drink
- Take to veterinarian immediately
Heatstroke in Dogs
CAUSES
- Usually induced by confinement to a poorly ventilated cage or vehicle in hot weather
SIGNS
- Rapid panting and/or grasping
- Skin, especially ears, very warm to the touch
- Tongue dry (may be purplish-blue)
- Prostration (collapse)
- Loss of consciousness
ACTION TO TAKE
- Cool immediately in shower, bath or other source of running water
- Fans or cool air blowing on wet fur aids cooling
- May place rubbing alcohol on skin of ears and feet to enhance cooling
- May use ice-water but do not cool below 104°F, as measured by rectal thermometer
- Give small amount of water to drink
- Always transport the animal as soon as possible to the veterinarian, even if the animal appears to have been successfully resuscitated.
COMPLICATIONS
- Heatstroke in dogs is associated with seizures and possible brain damage
- Diarrhea is commonly associated with heatstroke; it may be bloody
- Kidney failure can occur as long as weeks after the heatstroke
- Fatal bleeding problems may occur as a result of heatstroke
Bloat
Bloat in dogs is a medical emergency which affects large breed dogs and is due to gas or food stretching (and then twisting), the dog’s stomach so that the gas cannot exit. Dilation of the dog’s stomach occurs first and usually occurs many times in dogs without any outward signs. Only when the stomach twists does the problem occur.
CAUSES
- Once a day feeding predisposes to bloat.
- Exercise after feeding predisposes to bloat.
ACTION TO TAKE
Transport to veterinarian as soon as possible.
Note: The following are recommendations to be done only when veterinary care is not available.
Release of the gas is the most important first step.
- Place a roll of tape into the dog’s mouth and tie the mouth shut with gauze.
- Measure the tube from the front teeth to the last rib and mark the tube at this distance.
- Pass a large bore well-lubricated tube into the stomach. Use a water hose or siphon hose. Do not pass tube beyond mark.
- Firm gentle pressure is used to pass the tube. Entry into the stomach is aided by rotating the tube slightly while pushing.
- If unable to pass tube, then force the patient to sit up to reduce pressure on the stomach and allow tube passage.
- If passage still not possible, then needle decompression is used to release pressure and allow passage of the tube.
- The right side behind the last rib is scrubbed and a 14 to 16 gauge needle is quickly place through the skin and into the stomach.
- Transport to the veterinarian with the tube still in place for treatment of shock and heart damage caused by the event.
To prevent bloat: Feed small meals frequently through the day and do not allow exercise after over-eating.