First Aid For Dogs: How To Diagnose Shock In Your Dog

Shock is often far more serious an ailment than is commonly believed in
both humans and animals, as any dog owner who has had to administer first
aid for dogs for shock to their beloved pooch will tell you. Most
individuals seem to think that shock occurs whenever man or beast is
frightened or has a slight accident. However, this is not the case because
neither of those may even warrant getting a first aid for dogs kit out!

Shock in a dog can be identified in several ways, all of which will
indicate that first aid for dogs is extremely necessary, followed by a
visit to the vet! The symptoms are unconsciousness, sudden collapse,
weakness, discolouration of the lips and eyelids, clammy skin, rapid
respiration, weak pulse, elevated pulse and dilated pupils. If several of
those symptoms are combined then the likelihood is that your dog is in
shock and in desperate need of first aid for dogs.

It is likely that stress, accident or illness can bring on shock in a dog
and first aid for dogs should always be administered on the spot. In fact,
dog first aid should be administered on the way to the vet’s surgery.
Always make sure that the airways are open and free from blockages. If they
are clear and your dog stops breathing then first aid for dogs should take
the form of heart massage to keep the blood pumping as long as possible.

Always be sure to wrap your dog in thick blanket if he goes into shock
because this can prevent loss of body heat. It may also be necessary to
massage the body too so that circulation is still maintained as far as
possible. As you can see, there is more to good first aid for dogs than
meets the eye, but you should always be aware of the possibility of shock.