Shock
Shock
Shock is caused by insufficient blood flow and oxygen to meet the body’s
needs. Adequate blood flow requires effective heart pumping, open, intact
blood vessels, and sufficient blood volume to maintain flow and pressure.
Adequate oxygenation requires an open respiratory tract and enough energy
to breathe. Any condition that adversely affects the circulatory or respiratory
systems can cause shock.
The cardiovascular system of an animal in shock will try to compensate for
inadequate oxygen and blood flow by increasing the heart and respiratory
rates, constricting the skin’s blood vessels, and maintaining fluid in the circulation by reducing urinary output. This requires additional energy at a time
when the vital organs aren’t getting enough oxygen to carry out normal activities. After a time, shock becomes self-perpetuating. Untreated, it results in
death.
Common causes of shock are hemorrhage, heart failure, anaphylactic
(allergic) reactions, dehydration (heat stroke, vomiting, diarrhea), poisoning,
and toxic shock associated with sepsis and peritonitis.
Signs of early shock include panting, rapid heart rate, bounding pulses, and
a bright red color to the mucous membranes of the lips, gums, and tongue.
Many of these signs will be missed or considered mild—perhaps regarded as
signs of a dog who overexerted himself. The later signs are when most owners
EMERGENCIES • 11
notice and respond to their dog’s condition. Signs of late shock (the ones seen
most often) are pale skin and mucous membranes, a drop in body temperature, cold feet and legs, a slow respiratory rate, apathy and depression, unconsciousness, and a weak or absent pulse.
Treatment: First, evaluate. Is the dog breathing? Is there a heartbeat?
What is the extent of the injuries? Is the dog in shock?
If so, proceed as follows:
1. If the dog is not breathing, administer artificial respiration (see page 8).
2. If there is no heartbeat or pulse, administer CPR (see page 8).
3. If the dog is unconscious, check to be sure that the airway is open. Clear
secretions from the mouth with your fingers and a piece of cloth. Pull
the tip of the tongue foreword beyond the front teeth to make it easier
for the dog to breathe. Keep the dog’s head lower than his body by placing a blanket beneath his hindquarters.
4. Control bleeding as described under Wounds, page 42.
5. Wrap the dog in a coat or blanket to provide warmth and protect
injured extremities.
6. Transport the dog to a veterinary hospital.
12 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
This is the best way to transport a dog in shock. If you don’t have a stretcher, use a
camp cot, a wooden plank, or even a folded wire crate with a blanket laid on top.
To avoid aggravating the shock:
• Calm the dog and speak soothingly.
• Allow the dog to assume the most comfortable position in which
breathing is easiest. An animal will naturally adopt the position of least
pain.
• When possible, splint or support any broken bones before moving the
dog (see Broken Bones, page 15).
• All dogs who are unconscious or found lying down after an accident
must be considered to have spinal cord injuries and should be handled
accordingly (see Spinal Cord Injuries, page 375).
• Transport large dogs on a flat surface or in a hammock stretcher. Carry
small dogs in a blanket with the injured parts protected.
• Avoid using a muzzle except for short periods, such as when moving the
dog from the scene of the accident into a car, or from a car into the veterinary clinic. Muzzling can interfere with breathing in some situations.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
Anaphylactic shock is an immediate, serious allergic reaction. It occurs when
a dog is exposed to an allergen to which he has been sensitized. Sensitivity
occurs through prior contact.
The most common drug allergen that causes anaphylactic shock is penicillin. The venom in the stings of bees and wasps can also occasionally produce anaphylactic shock. Some dogs have been known to experience shock
after a vaccination, but this is not common.
EMERGENCIES • 13
A dog receiving emergency treatment for
anaphylactic shock, in
this case following a routine vaccination. The dog
responded well, and 30
minutes later was fine.
Anaphylactic shock causes signs and symptoms different from those previously described for shock. Initially there may be local signs at the point of
contact, including pain, itching, swelling, and redness of the skin. With acute
anaphylaxis, the allergic response becomes generalized, either immediately or
over the course of several hours. Signs are agitation, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, stridor (harsh breathing sounds) from a swollen voice box,
weakness, and circulatory collapse. In untreated cases, coma and death follow.
Treatment: Emergency treatment of anaphylactic shock involves administering intravenous or subcutaneous adrenaline, oxygen, antihistamines, IV
fluids, and hydrocortisone—drugs not available in the home. This is why it is
best to have your veterinarian give vaccines—he or she has the drugs and
equipment to treat allergic reactions in time.
A dog who has had an allergic reaction to a drug in the past should not be
given that drug again.
Shock is caused by insufficient blood flow and oxygen to meet the body’s
needs. Adequate blood flow requires effective heart pumping, open, intact
blood vessels, and sufficient blood volume to maintain flow and pressure.
Adequate oxygenation requires an open respiratory tract and enough energy
to breathe. Any condition that adversely affects the circulatory or respiratory
systems can cause shock.
The cardiovascular system of an animal in shock will try to compensate for
inadequate oxygen and blood flow by increasing the heart and respiratory
rates, constricting the skin’s blood vessels, and maintaining fluid in the circulation by reducing urinary output. This requires additional energy at a time
when the vital organs aren’t getting enough oxygen to carry out normal activities. After a time, shock becomes self-perpetuating. Untreated, it results in
death.
Common causes of shock are hemorrhage, heart failure, anaphylactic
(allergic) reactions, dehydration (heat stroke, vomiting, diarrhea), poisoning,
and toxic shock associated with sepsis and peritonitis.
Signs of early shock include panting, rapid heart rate, bounding pulses, and
a bright red color to the mucous membranes of the lips, gums, and tongue.
Many of these signs will be missed or considered mild—perhaps regarded as
signs of a dog who overexerted himself. The later signs are when most owners
EMERGENCIES • 11
notice and respond to their dog’s condition. Signs of late shock (the ones seen
most often) are pale skin and mucous membranes, a drop in body temperature, cold feet and legs, a slow respiratory rate, apathy and depression, unconsciousness, and a weak or absent pulse.
Treatment: First, evaluate. Is the dog breathing? Is there a heartbeat?
What is the extent of the injuries? Is the dog in shock?
If so, proceed as follows:
1. If the dog is not breathing, administer artificial respiration (see page 8).
2. If there is no heartbeat or pulse, administer CPR (see page 8).
3. If the dog is unconscious, check to be sure that the airway is open. Clear
secretions from the mouth with your fingers and a piece of cloth. Pull
the tip of the tongue foreword beyond the front teeth to make it easier
for the dog to breathe. Keep the dog’s head lower than his body by placing a blanket beneath his hindquarters.
4. Control bleeding as described under Wounds, page 42.
5. Wrap the dog in a coat or blanket to provide warmth and protect
injured extremities.
6. Transport the dog to a veterinary hospital.
12 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
This is the best way to transport a dog in shock. If you don’t have a stretcher, use a
camp cot, a wooden plank, or even a folded wire crate with a blanket laid on top.
To avoid aggravating the shock:
• Calm the dog and speak soothingly.
• Allow the dog to assume the most comfortable position in which
breathing is easiest. An animal will naturally adopt the position of least
pain.
• When possible, splint or support any broken bones before moving the
dog (see Broken Bones, page 15).
• All dogs who are unconscious or found lying down after an accident
must be considered to have spinal cord injuries and should be handled
accordingly (see Spinal Cord Injuries, page 375).
• Transport large dogs on a flat surface or in a hammock stretcher. Carry
small dogs in a blanket with the injured parts protected.
• Avoid using a muzzle except for short periods, such as when moving the
dog from the scene of the accident into a car, or from a car into the veterinary clinic. Muzzling can interfere with breathing in some situations.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
Anaphylactic shock is an immediate, serious allergic reaction. It occurs when
a dog is exposed to an allergen to which he has been sensitized. Sensitivity
occurs through prior contact.
The most common drug allergen that causes anaphylactic shock is penicillin. The venom in the stings of bees and wasps can also occasionally produce anaphylactic shock. Some dogs have been known to experience shock
after a vaccination, but this is not common.
EMERGENCIES • 13
A dog receiving emergency treatment for
anaphylactic shock, in
this case following a routine vaccination. The dog
responded well, and 30
minutes later was fine.
Anaphylactic shock causes signs and symptoms different from those previously described for shock. Initially there may be local signs at the point of
contact, including pain, itching, swelling, and redness of the skin. With acute
anaphylaxis, the allergic response becomes generalized, either immediately or
over the course of several hours. Signs are agitation, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, stridor (harsh breathing sounds) from a swollen voice box,
weakness, and circulatory collapse. In untreated cases, coma and death follow.
Treatment: Emergency treatment of anaphylactic shock involves administering intravenous or subcutaneous adrenaline, oxygen, antihistamines, IV
fluids, and hydrocortisone—drugs not available in the home. This is why it is
best to have your veterinarian give vaccines—he or she has the drugs and
equipment to treat allergic reactions in time.
A dog who has had an allergic reaction to a drug in the past should not be
given that drug again.
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