Pet First Aid: Electric Shock

If your pet is knocked unconscious after making contact with a live wire, before approaching the animal, make sure the electric current is turned off. Immediately check his breathing since this is the first thing to stop. As long as his heart is beating, there is good chance you can revive the dog. If both vital signs are not present, begin artificial respiration.

Usually seen in younger animals, the most common scenario involves the dog chewing directly on the wire. An electric current passes through the tissue, causing injury, and often leading to shock. Burns around the muzzle, and tongue will be present. Exposure to a high voltage usually leads to death.

Stretch out the body so that the dog is lying on his right side, making sure his head and neck are extended. Cup your hands around the mouth keeping it firmly shut. Gently blow into the nostrils two or three times. Check for a heart rate by placing your fingers on the inside of the thigh, directly above the knee. If there is no beat, immediately begin chest compressions. Place both hands on the middle of the rib cage, and firmly push down. Do ten compressions, and check for a pulse. To match natural breathing rhythms blow into the nostrils every three seconds, averaging twenty breaths per minute. To match a heart rate, press down every five seconds, averaging 20-30 pulses per minute. If no else is present to help, use a 2:5 ratio; two breaths, followed by five compressions.

As soon as the animal stabilizes, have someone drive both of you to the nearest clinic. Calling ahead is recommended to alert the staff. During the drive, wrap the dog in a blanket, turn up the heat, do whatever is necessary to keep the animal warm. This is a traumatic incident which stuns the body, making the dog susceptible to the onset of shock, which can kill just as readily as the original injury. If your pet is conscious, keep him in a prone position. Remember to stay calm, and focused. Animals will mirror our reactions, so if we panic, the dog may also. This can lead to thrashing which will exacerbate present injuries.