King County Search Dogs

CPR on Dogs

By Jon Wieringa, B.S., RVT
January 1999

Now that you've checked all your K9's vital signs while he/she is healthy and uninjured, we can look at some of the more common injuries to which dogs are susceptible. Unless you actually saw an injury happen, remember that it may be more serious than it first appears. Examine your dog thoroughly, just to be on the safe side.

As with any accident scene, your safety is paramount. Scene safety comes first, so be aware of possible dangers to you. This includes the danger your K9 partner may now pose. It is always a touchy subject with owners, who are certain their dog would never bite them, but a dog who is painful and frightened may not even be aware of who you are until the bite occurs. An owner who brought an injured black lab into our clinic had received bites which resulted in thirty-six stitches and a broken finger. The lab, who wasn't normally aggressive, had only minor injuries, but was terrified after being struck by a car. Handle your dog carefully when it is injured.

With any injury, you should check your K9's ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), and check for shock. Shock, briefly, is a body's response to changes in circulation or oxygenation of blood. The degree of blood loss needed to precipitate shock varies, but keep in mind that this bleeding can be internal or external. Blunt trauma that leaves no external signs of injury can trigger shock which, if untreated, can kill a dog. Early signs of shock are increased heart rate and increased intensity of pulses. The dog will often appear restless, nervous, and may pant. Here is where it is important to have a good idea of your dogs normal resting pulses and heart rate. Your dogs mucous membranes may also look more red than usual. As shock progresses, body temperature will start to fall, pulses will weaken nd feel "thready", mucous membranes will become pale, and CRT will slow down. At this point, it is critical that the dog be taken immediately to your vet for treatment. Shock is a downward spiral, and minutes can count.

Assuming the dog has no difficulties breathing and is not in shock, a brief, thorough physical exam should be performed. Check all the dogs vital signs, then run your hands all over its body, starting with the head, moving down to the chest. Feel both front and rear legs at the same time to check for discrepancies between the two sides that may not be apparent if only one leg is palpated. Work you way back along the dogs chest, back, and groin area. Check the toes and in between pads for hidden cuts, lacerations, or foreign objects.

Dogs who have suffered any significant blunt trauma, such as being struck by a car or falling from a significant height, should be taken to the vet even if they don't have any obvious injuries. Such trauma can cause bruising on the lungs which may not be evident for 8-24 hours, but which can cause significant problems with breathing. Abdominal trauma may result in bloody stools (which look dark and "tarry"), blood in the urine, ruptured bladder, or abdominal bleeding, which can result in shock. Lameness which does not resolve in 12-24 hours should be examined by your vet.

After any injury, watch your dog closely for 24-48 hours. If you have any concerns, as always, call your vet.