http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/rss Emergency en http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_How_to_save_a_dog_from_suffocation Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:24:23 +0000 46 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digestive/e_multi_antifreeze_poisoning Antifreeze poisoning is one of the most common forms of poisoning in small animals, and this is because it is so commonly found in households. Antifreeze poisoning typically happens when antifreeze drips from a car’s radiator, where it is licked off the ground and ingested by a pet. Your dog may also come into contact with antifreeze that has been added to a toilet bowl. This occurs in homes where the residents will use antifreeze during the cold months to "winterize" their pipes. Even if you do not take this action in your own home, it is something to be aware of when ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:18:30 +0000 520 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_artificial_respiration_for_dogs Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:03:55 +0000 43 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation_and_artificial_respiration_for_dogs Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Artificial Respiration (AR) are the two basic life support techniques used to save your dog’s life.
 
What is Artificial Respiration and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?
Artificial Respiration is given to help a dog begin breathing again if it had stopped. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is given when the dog stops breathing and its heart stops beating, as well.
 
When to Give Artificial Respiration and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?
These live saving techniques can be used in the following emergencies:
1. Electric shock
2. In ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:55:08 +0000 42 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_dangers_of_hypothermia_for_dogs Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:18:16 +0000 44 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/skin/e_multi_contact_poisoning Poison can be defined as any substance that is harmful to the body upon contact, whether it is internal or external. Internal poisoning can occur through inhalation of a substance, which can be in chemical form, like sprays or powders, but a toxic reaction can also occur simply by breathing in a material as innocuous as dirt. Other forms of internal poisoning take place when an animal has a physical reaction, or allergy, to a plant or food that has been ingested.
 
Contact poisoning occurs when an animal's coat or skin comes into contact with a substance containing chemicals tha ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:33:26 +0000 521 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation_for_dogs  
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is a combination of chest compression and artificial respiration. It is normally used when you cannot feel or hear the dog’s heart beat. Once the dog stops breathing the heart will go into cardiac arrest and cease beating.
 
Before performing this procedure please keep in mind that Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is hazardous and can cause physical complications or fatal damage if performed on a healthy dog. It should only be performed when necessary.
 
If you would like to learn how to perform CPR ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:52:43 +0000 41 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_Emergency_Treatment_For_Dog_With_Burns Burn injuries in dogs can occur as the result of several factors. Burns can be due to heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Dogs can also be scalded by hot liquids, or injured by caustic chemicals. Sunburn is an example of a radiation burn, and happens to dogs that have noses with insufficient pigmentation or have bare skin due to short hair.
 
Types of Burns
 
Burns are differentiated and graded by the amount of body burned and the depth of the burns, into first degree, second degree and third degree burns.
 

First Degree burns are minor or sup ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:49:48 +0000 40 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_first_aid_for_dog_with_broken_bones Fractures or broken bones can result from a car accident, falling from great heights, or many other types of accidents. In dogs, the femur, pelvis, jaw, skull, and spine are the most commonly broken bones.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
There are several signs of a broken bone:
 

Severe pain
Swelling
Inability to bear weight on the bone broken
Open wound with bone sticking out
Deformity of the bone structure
Shortening of the leg

 
Apart from the break or fracture, the do ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:46:25 +0000 39 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digestive/e_dg_grape_raisin_toxicity  
Grape and raisin (dried grapes) toxicity is well documented in dogs. Although the exact substance that causes the toxic reaction is not yet known, it has been shown that even small amounts of grapes or raisins can prove to be fatally toxic for a dog.
 
Dogs of any age, breed, or gender may be affected. One of the most serious complications of grape/raisin toxicity is acute (sudden) kidney failure with lack of urine production (anuria). However, kidney failure is not seen in all dogs after ingestion of grapes or raisins, and again, the reason wh ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digestive/e_dg_grape_raisin_toxicity#comments Emergencies Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:47:09 +0000 5491 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_heat_stroke  
Much like in humans, heat stroke occurs when the dog's body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. Dogs do not tolerate heat well, as they can only sweat through their paws and dissipate excess heat by panting. Therefore, heat stroke is an emergency that requires immediate attention and prompt treatment, especially if the dog is exposed to environmental temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or above with no shade or water.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
Heat stroke begins with heavy panting and difficulty breathing. The tongue and ...read more]]> Emergencies Tue, 19 May 2009 19:45:41 +0000 4143 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_how_to_recognize_and_treat_dehydration_in_a_dog When a dog loses the ability to replace lost fluids, a state of dehydration occurs. The fluids lost are water and electrolytes.
 
What are the signs of dehydration?
 
The most common symptom of dehydration is the loss of elasticity in the skin. When pulled lightly, the skin does not readily come back to its original place.
Another alarming symptom is xerostomia, where the gums in the mouth lose moistness and become dry and sticky. Saliva becomes thick and sticky.
In advanced dehydration the eyes sink in and the dog may collapse with shock.
 
What are the reasons ...read more]]> Emergencies Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:55:42 +0000 192 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digestive/e_multi_hypercalcemic_agent_poisoning Hypercalcemia is defined as abnormally elevated calcium levels in the blood. Of the various types of substances that are poisonous to dogs, there are those that include hypercalcemic agents. Hypercalcemic agents contain vitamin D, medically known as cholecalciferol, which works by raising the calcium content in blood serum to high toxic levels, resulting in cardiac arrhythmias, and then death. Hypercalcemic agents are popular for use in rodent poisons, since rodents do not have resistance to cholecalciferol. In most cases, poisons containing cholecalciferol must be directly consumed by ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:52:57 +0000 523 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digstive/e_multi_rat_poison Many people use poisons to kill rodents, roaches and other common house pests. In order to be appealing to the pests they are aimed at, some poisons are made to taste good, making them appealing to dogs and cats as well.
 
Poisoning by pesticides and rodenticides is one of the most common household dangers to your pet. In this case, zinc phosphide poisoning will be explored as a potential culprit for your pet's health condition. Zinc phosphide is an ingredient used in some rat poisons, and is also commonly used by pest control professionals. One of the effects zinc phosphide ha ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:59:17 +0000 524 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_what_to_do_when_the_dog_nearly_drowns Drowning occurs when a dog’s head is submerged in water long enough to cause suffocation. The dog’s lungs fill with water and are deprived of oxygen long enough to cause hypoxia (oxygen deprivation in tissues). This may cause death, if the dog is not saved in time. 
 
When does drowning occur?
Most dogs know how to swim, so it is unusual to find a dog that cannot. Yet even the best swimmers can experience difficulties in the water. A dog can drown in the fol ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:26:41 +0000 47 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/e_dg_what_to_do_when_your_dog_has_frostbite When any part of your dog is exposed to subzero temperatures for long time, it can freeze, causing frostbite to that area. Frostbite is most common after hypothermia or near hypothermic conditions. 
 
Body parts affected by frostbite are those which have little or no fur protection, like the:
 

tail
scrotum
foot pads
tips of the ears

 
Signs of frostbite
 
The usual skin hue of a healthy dog is pale pink. The body part affected by frostbite will have blue or white color due to a lack ...read more]]> Emergencies Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:20:15 +0000 45 at http://www.petmd.com