Electrocution in Dogs: Causes and Prevention

Electrocution in dogs is a medical emergency that occurs when electrical current passes through the body, potentially causing burns, breathing problems, heart abnormalities, and even death. If you think your dog has experienced an electric shock, seek immediate veterinary care—even if they seem normal at first, because serious lung complications can develop hours later. 

Dogs most commonly experience electrocution after chewing electrical cords, though downed power lines, lightning strikes, and contact with electrified water can also cause injury. Young dogs are especially at risk because they explore their environment with their mouths. Knowing the signs of electrocution and how to prevent it can help protect your dog from a potentially life-threatening accident. 

What Is Electrocution in Dogs?

Electrocution in dogs happens when an electrical current passes through the dog’s body. Electrocution can cause thermal burns, fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and heart rhythm abnormalities. In some cases, the heart stops and electrocution is fatal. 

If you believe your dog has been electrocuted, this is an emergency. Contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to an emergency veterinarian.  

Keep your own safety in mind! Do not touch a dog who is still experiencing electric shock. The source of electricity needs to be disconnected before you touch your dog. 

Symptoms of Electrocution in Dogs

When a dog is electrocuted, there is usually a burn at the site of the electrical current’s entry. In most cases, this is the mouth. The current then passes through the body, affecting the heart and lungs. 

The following are potential signs of electrocution in dogs: 

• Burns, especially in the mouth 

• Facial swelling 

• Coughing 

• Fast and/or labored breathing 

• Crackling sounds in the lungs 

• Foamy liquid from the nose or mouth 

• Weakness and/or collapse 

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea 

• Seizures 

• Blue tinge to the skin or gums (cyanosis) 

• Death 

Importantly, lung issues may not show up immediately after electrocution. Fluid buildup in the lungs can take 12 to 36 hours to develop. 

Causes of Electrocution in Dogs

The most common cause of electrocution in dogs is chewing on an electrical cord. Phone chargers, Christmas lights, kitchen appliances, TVs, computers, lights, and fans all have electrical cords that could pose a risk to your pet. 

Less common causes of electrocution in dogs include: 

• Touching downed power lines 

• Stepping into water that has contact with electricity 

• Lightning strikes 

Electrocution is most common in dogs under two years old. This can be due to teething, behavioral immaturity, or curiosity about the environment. Remember, dogs explore their surroundings with their noses and their mouths! 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Electrocution in Dogs

Most veterinarians will rely on the history that you provide to diagnose electrocution. You must let them know if you’ve seen your dog chewing on a cord, have found frayed or broken cords, or know of any other potential exposure to electricity. 

Physical exam findings, such as burns in the mouth and labored breathing, can also suggest electrocution. 

Other tests your veterinarian will likely run include: 

• Blood work and urine testing to check your pet’s systemic health 

• Chest X-rays to look for pulmonary edema  

• Electrocardiogram to look at your dog’s heart rhythm 

• Blood pressure measurements 

Keep in mind that pulmonary edema—fluid in the lungs—can take a while to develop. Repeat chest X-rays may be needed to watch for delayed development of this symptom. 

Treatment of Electrocution in Dogs

Treatment for electrocution in dogs is usually supportive and depends on their clinical signs.  

If your dog has only thermal burns, treatments may include: 

• Pain medications like buprenorphine, gabapentin, and carprofen 

• Antibiotics like cephalexin 

• Bandaging of wounds 

• Topical ointments like silver sulfadiazine (SSD) or an antibiotic cream 

Dogs who have pulmonary edema or breathing issues will need to be hospitalized. 

If the dog’s difficulty breathing is due to swelling in the face or mouth, a tracheostomy may be needed. This allows the dog to breathe through an opening in their neck.  

If breathing difficulties are due to pulmonary edema, the dog will likely need supplemental oxygen. This is usually given in an oxygen kennel or cage. In severe cases, the dog may need a mechanical ventilator. 

Other treatments include: 

• Giving intravenous (IV) fluids 

• Bronchodilators like terbutaline to open the small airways in the lungs 

• Injectable pain medications like methadone 

Dogs who have cardiac arrest from electrocution are unlikely to survive. If your dog isn’t breathing and doesn’t have a heartbeat, do CPR on your dog.  

If you are successful at resuscitation, they need to be taken to an emergency veterinarian immediately for further monitoring. In most cases, CPR will not be successful. 

Recovery and Management of Electrocution in Dogs

If your dog has burns in their mouth, they may do better with soft foods and treats, such as Purina Pro Plan wet food.  

These burns may take 10 to 14 days or longer to heal, depending on severity. 

Your dog will likely be hospitalized for two to three days while the veterinarian watches for and treats fluid buildup in the lungs or heart arrhythmias. If the dog survives the first 24 to 48 hours, they are likely to survive without permanent effects. 

Prevention of Electrocution in Dogs

Even if you do everything right, accidents can still happen. Still, the following steps can decrease your dog’s risk of electrocution. 

• Unplug appliances, electronics, and charging cords that aren’t being used. 

• Wrap cords and tuck them out of reach of your pet. 

• Keep your dog inside during thunderstorms. 

• Do not approach downed power lines on walks.