Emergency: What to Do If Your Dog Gets Shocked by Elect

What to Do If a Dog Gets Electrocuted?

It's not uncommon for dogs to be curious and sometimes end up in dangerous situations, like touching live wires. The severity of the injury depends on the voltage and the part of the body the dog comes into contact with. Many dogs, for instance, might bite into a wire with their mouths, allowing the current to enter their bodies.

When this happens, the voltage level is crucial. With lower voltages, the dog may only suffer tongue damage, leaving behind burns from the electric current. However, if the voltage is higher, the current can travel through the mouth into the lungs, potentially bursting capillaries and causing the lungs to fill with fluid. The dog might experience difficulty breathing, coughing, and anxiety within 1 to 2 days after the incident.

At an even higher voltage, the current can directly affect the heart, causing irregular heartbeat and potentially permanent damage to the central nervous system, leading to seizures and other complications.

So, how likely is it for a dog to get electrocuted? It's not very common, but it can happen. While many household voltages might only cause a minor tongue burn, dogs can still find themselves in tricky situations.

What should you do if you find a dog that has been electrocuted?

1. Turn Off the Power Source

This is the most critical step. Do not attempt to pull the dog away from the wire, as the current can "hold" the dog's mouth, making it difficult to disengage. First, turn off the power source, and always wear rubber gloves (it's essential to have a pair of rubber gloves at home for various situations).

2. CPR

After an electric shock, the dog may stop breathing, so you'll need to perform CPR. The technique is quite similar to human CPR, and I'll provide a detailed guide in the coming days. It's important to learn how to check the dog's heartbeat; their heart is located on the left side, so placing your hand over the chest near the left elbow can help you feel for a heartbeat.

3. Seizures

Due to the shock to the brain, the dog may experience seizures, incontinence, and erratic movements of the limbs. There's no specific method to deal with this, but ensure the dog is in a calm environment with no additional stimuli. Cover its face with a dark cloth to help it remain still during the seizure, which typically lasts between 2 to 5 minutes.

4. Calm the Dog

Once the dog has returned to normal, it may still be anxious due to the traumatic experience. It's crucial to comfort the dog, especially if it was exposed to high voltage. Dogs with lung damage may have difficulty breathing, and without reassurance, they can become more stressed, which can worsen their condition.

5. Use Ice

If the dog's mouth has been burned, applying ice can numb the pain temporarily and help the dog remain calm.

What kind of treatment will the vet provide?

Most dogs will survive this ordeal with timely intervention and medical attention. There are medications to help clear the fluid from the lungs, and the most challenging aspect is the burn on the tongue, which can heal slowly and may require surgical removal of necrotic tissue in extreme cases. The wound can also affect the dog's appetite for food.

How can you prevent your dog from getting electrocuted?

Firstly, be aware of a tool called a wire binder. This not only makes a mess of wires look neater but also ensures that the bundled wires are placed out of reach for the dog, preventing it from getting tangled. It's especially important in smaller homes.

Secondly, prepare for your departure by either locking the dog in a cage or ensuring it's accustomed to staying out of the cage from a young age. This reduces the dog's interest in household items like wires.

Lastly, consider flipping the circuit breaker as a last resort for particularly mischievous dogs. However, this means losing home security monitoring, as you won't know what the dog might do.

So, in summary, preventing your dog from getting electrocuted is relatively straightforward. The key is to avoid panic and mistakes in case of an emergency. Remember, never attempt to pull the dog away by hand!