CANINE FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY CARE

By: Dr. Mike Lappin, DVM

ELECTRICAL BURNS **** YOUR SAFETY MUST COME FIRST ****

Usually results from chewing electrical cords or being struck by lightening. Affects local tissues as well as the heart.

Symptoms:
1. May be local tissue (if chewing a cord) of the mouth or may involve deep underlying tissues
2. Full extent of tissue injury may not be evident for several weeks when all of the burned
tissue sloughs off
3. May have initial swelling as well as pulmonary edema
4. May have affected heart rate and rhythm
5. May be unconscious, not breathing, and/or without a heartbeat

First Aid Treatment:
1. If unconscious and/or not breathing or without a heartbeat, begin rescue breathing and
CPR if necessary
2. If conscious and breathing, safely move animal away from danger and transport to hospital ASAP
3. Veterinarians will monitor heart function and administer medication to prevent infection and
other side effect conditions
4. And monitor tissue damage over the next few weeks to determine if surgical
debridement is necessary