Unconscious Dog: How to Help
Pet unconsciousness can be a very scary situation leading you to make swift actions that may harm your dog. At Brentwood Animal Hospital in Pensacola, we understand how important your dog is to you. That is why we provide exceptional pet emergency care and first aid steps to help your dog when he or she is unconscious.
Neurological and Cardiac problems Cause Unconsciousness
Neurological issues can cause your dog to become unconscious. Common conditions are abnormal brain activity and seizures. Cardiac problems can also cause unconsciousness. This is usually caused by ventricular fibrillation, A-V block, ventricular tachycardia, or abnormal heart rhythms like sinus syndrome.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Unconscious
Step 1. Evaluate Your Dog Before You Take Any Action
Pet unconsciousness is an emergency and can be frightening but do not rush because you might harm your dog. Keep calm and assess your dog before you utilize the first aid’s ABC. If you are not able to perform first aid, get your pet to our team as soon as possible.
Step 2. Check for Airway Blockage
Observe if your dog’s chest is pounding and listen keenly to his or her breathing. When you are sure that your dog is unconscious, check for an airway block. To achieve this, extend your dog’s head and neck, then pull its tongue in front to look inside its mouth. Do not place your fingers in your dog’s mouth.
Lightly pull on the tongue’s tip while restraining the dog’s jaw for a better view. In case your dog resists, this is a sign that he or she is no longer unconscious and could bite you. If you are sure your dog is still unconscious, go ahead and shake their head down to remove the obstruction.
For seizures, you do not need to carry out this procedure. You only need to keep the environment around your pet safe, and it will eventually pass. If your dog starts having multiple seizures, bring him or her into our office right away. Feel free to consult our team at Brentwood Animal Hospital if you are struggling with the process.
Step 3. CPR May Be Needed
If your dog is not breathing and his or her airway is clear, you will need to perform CPR. You can breathe into your dog’s nostrils cautiously as a last option.
Step 4. Check for Cardiovascular Issues
Listen to your dog’s heartbeat. If you do not hear anything, try to execute CPR chest compressions. Since this is a pet emergency, make sure to take your dog to our office even after these procedures are done. We will check to make sure your dog is functioning well and can help you avoid issues like these in the future.
Visit Us at Brentwood Animal Hospital for a Suitable Diagnosis
If your dog is unconscious and is not responding even after first aid, then contact our team at 850-434-2646 as soon as possible. We at Brentwood Animal Hospital in Pensacola are committed to providing quality health care for your pet when they need it most. Contact us today to see how we can help.
