shock
EARLY STAGES:
- Bright red gums
- Rapid capillary refill time
- Pet can be excited or subdued
- Rapid heart rate
- Pulse easy to locate
MIDDLE STAGES:
- Gums pale or "muddy"
- Abnormally long capillary refill time
- Heart rate elevated
- Pulse weak and hard to locate
- Breathing often shallow and rapid (but can be normal)
- Rectal temperature often below normal (but may be normal or elevated)
LATE STAGES:
- Gums very pale or bluish, can be blotchy
- Capillary refill time very prolonged (3-4 seconds)
- Heart rate elevated and likely irregular, but may be normal - heart muscle is failing
- Pulse weak and difficult to locate
- Eyes appear glazed and appear unfocused
- Mental condition deteriorates from depression to stupor to coma
- Rectal temperature critically below normal
- Respirations my be slow or rapid, shallow or deep
- Check your dog's vital signs and perform CPR if needed
- Control any bleeding
- Keep your pet warm with a blanket
- Prevent any fractures from further injury
- Take your pet immediately to a veterinary hospital
- Do not allow the injured pet to move about on his own. Walking or jumping into a car can increase any internal bleeding present and expend energy in the muscles unnecessarily.
- Do not apply a heating pad to a sick or injured patient - this could cause a burn. Also, it will dilate the blood vessels of the skin and pull blood out of the central vessels where it is needed.
- Do not pour water into the animal's mouth. A weak animal can accidentally inhale water into the lungs.
- Do not administer any medications, including aspirin, unless directed to do so by a veterinarian.
- Do not assume the pet is not in shock after a traumatic accident because they appear to be normal; early stages of shock are very difficult to recognize.
- Do not delay in seeking veterinary care. Many traumatic injuries that cause shock can cause problems that cannot be corrected after just minutes. Hesitation in seeking care can be the difference between life and death.