A guide to deal with electric shock injuries in your dog

If you have ever suffered electric shock injuries in your life, then we don’t think you need any explanation. Even if you have not, you might have seen or read about the intensity of the electric shock injuries and how people have lost their lives in such accidents.

It’s not just about you, electrical shock injuries can easily happen to your dog, especially to the puppies. It’s because puppies like to chew on everything, which also includes the electrical wires.

Though the situation is frightening, you should be prepared to deal with it. If you are not prepared and ready to take the right action, you might lose your furry friend forever.

In this post, we will discuss the impact of electric shock, symptoms, steps to deal with electric shock, and further treatments. 

Impact of Electric shock on your dog

If the shock is minor, your dog will produce mild discomfort. However, the shock can cause burns. In most cases, the minor shock isn’t fully evident. You will get to know days later when the injured tissues will die.

If the electrical shock is severe, it can seriously injure the organs and the nervous system. Sometimes, the convulsion and spasms are so strong that your dog can injure himself and possibly break bones.

Electrical shock majorly impacts the two organs in your dog- the heart and lungs. It damages the heart and leads to abnormal heart rhythm. Your dog might faint or experience cardiac arrest after heart damage.

In the lungs, fluid gets filled immediately or after several days and makes it hard for your dog to breathe. In both situations, you should take your dog to a veterinary hospital in Dubai immediately.

Common symptoms of electric shock in your dog

• trouble breathing
• coughing
• unconsciousness
• collapse
• burns
• pain
• distress
• excessive drooling
• Skin irritation

Steps to deal with electric shock in your dog 

To protect your dog from electrical shock injuries, you should stay calm and try to keep yourself away from electrical dangers. And you should follow the following steps.

• You shouldn’t grab your dog when you find he is experiencing electric shock because the current can shock you. You should him once he is removed from the electrical danger.
• You should immediately turn off the electricity from the main source. Take precautionary steps when flipping the switch off or unplugging the cord. If it’s difficult, call for emergency help.
• Cool the mouth and tongue of your dog using ice if he is alert and not showing signs of major distress. It means he is fine or suffered from a mild shock.
• If your dog has suffered seizures with electrical shock, you shouldn’t touch him. You should turn off or dim the lights and reduce noise.
• In case your dog has experienced a cardiac arrest and is unable to breathe, you should perform CPR. Learn the technique beforehand.
• Finally, you should take him to an emergency veterinary hospital. While carrying him, you should keep your dog calm by placing him in a dark carrier, box, or wrap him in a towel. If your dog is large, get a blanket or stretcher.

Treatment (s) for your dog

At a veterinary hospital in Dubai, the vets will administer drugs to steady an irregular breath. For eliminating and preventing fluid buildup in the lung, they will administer diuretic drugs. For infection, they will prescribe antibiotics.

In the case of severe burns or other problems, your dog might find it difficult to eat. So you should try feeding him soft food. If things do not go well, the vet will insert a feeding tube.

The life and death of your dog after experiencing an electric shock depend on your knowledge and preparedness. So keep learning and practicing imagining the situation.