What is electric shock in dogs?
While we usually never think about our devices and lights, they can be very dangerous for playful and curious puppies. Electric shocks caused by chewing on a power cable are the most common type of electrical injury among pets. These types of injuries can result in burns in the area (typically in the mouth), damage to the heart, lungs, and other tissues, and death.
Possible complications of electrical cable bite injuries include fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and heart rhythm disturbances. In addition, it was reported that animals developed cataracts (an eye abnormality) following such injuries.
Symptoms of electric shock in dogs
The most obvious sign of an electrical injury is burns in or around your dog’s mouth. If either the whiskers or the hair surrounding the mouth are scorched, this could also be an indication that your dog was burned at some point.
Other serious symptoms are related to your dog’s breathing and heart rhythm. Muscle tremors, seizures, and collapse are also possible. Some signs of a serious electrical injury include:
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Burns
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cough
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Abnormally fast breathing
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To be able to breathe properly, you must be upright
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Crackling noises in the lungs
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Breathing difficulties
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Bluish colored skin and mucous membranes
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Weakness
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Collapse
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seizures
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Sudden death
Any dog that may have been electrocuted must be examined by a vet immediately.
Causes of electric shock in dogs
The most common cause of electric shock in dogs is that a young puppy chewed on a household electrical cord—usually Christmas lights, fans, TVs, or other appliances.
Most electrical injuries occur in animals that are less than 2 years old. Whether it’s teething because your puppy naturally has a tendency to chew on things, or whether your dog is simply curious about strings, it is in these younger years that injuries are most likely to occur.
How vets diagnose an electric shock in dogs
Dogs that come to the veterinary clinic in critical condition are immediately taken to a treatment area. For example, if your dog has severe breathing difficulties, he can be put in an oxygen cage and closely monitored.
Once the animal’s condition is stable, your vet will do a thorough physical exam and ask you a few questions about what you’ve seen at home. While the above symptoms may indicate a power cable injury, there are other options.
The vet will examine your dog’s mouth for burns and listen to the heart and lungs. They could also take chest X-rays and an electrocardiogram to further assess heart and lung function. You can also do some blood tests to look for damage to other areas of the body, such as the kidneys and liver.
Pulmonary edema may occur in the hours following an electric shock in a pet. Therefore, the vet may recommend that you hospitalize your dog for monitoring and for any additional diagnostic tests and treatment that may be needed.
Treatment and treatment of electric shocks in dogs
If you witness an electric shock, turn off the power before moving your dog. If your dog isn’t breathing and doesn’t have a heartbeat, clean his airways as much as you can and help him with CPR. Any dogs that may have been electrocuted should be taken to a vet as soon as possible.
Depending on a dog’s condition, treatment for an electric shock may include:
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Pain relief for burns
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Antibiotics to prevent infections
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oxygen therapy
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fluid therapy
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Nutrition support
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Medication to normalize heart rhythm, remove fluid from the lungs, and treat seizures
Your dog must be closely monitored until his condition has stabilized. They may not feel well eating their normal food because of the pain associated with mouth sores. As a result, you may need to switch to soft foods or liquefy your dry food until your wounds heal. Your vet can help you create a diet plan until your dog is comfortable eating normal food again.
At home, monitor burn wounds for infections and proper healing. Surgery is sometimes required when burnt tissue is unable to repair itself.
Preventing electric shocks in dogs
The most important step to preventing electrical injuries is to keep your dog away from electrical cords and outlets. Also, check all the cables in your house and throw away any damaged cables, as even minimal contact with a bare cable can seriously harm your dog.
Many pet owners find that using baby safety measures helps protect their pets from injury. Most hardware and full-service department stores carry household child protection tools.
Beitragsbild: iStock/Freemixer