Accidents and Artificial Respiration

Street accidents can be divided into two main groups:

1. Superficial injuries (varying degrees of bruising, skin lacerations and possibly minor bone fracture.

2. Severe injury (fractures, profuse haemorrhages, possibility of damage to internal organs).

Superficial Injury

The patient is usually more frightened than hurt and is generally more difficult to handle than the badly injured dog. Restraint is the most important factor; a semihysterical dog in a crowd is not only distressing but also dangerous. If possible, handling should be left to the owner, whom the dog will usually trust. A lead slipped over the dog's head as a noose is a useful method of catching an hysterical animal. A few minutes spent soothing the animal before endeavouring to see the extent of the injuries are not wasted; he will be given a chance to get over the initial shock and surprise of the accident.

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Remove him to a quiet spot as soon as possible and, if he can walk or be carried, take him indoors. If the injuries seem to be confined to the extremities, and there is no sign of bleeding from nose or mouth, a sedative should be given if the dog is still excited. Attention may then be paid to his injuries. A dog capable of getting up and running off after an accident is usually only slightly injured. Any wounds should be gently bathed and a clean handkerchief or bandage applied to wounds on extremities.

Severe Injury

The animal may be unconscious or unable to rise. Do not try to lift him as this may cause pain and he may snap or bite unintentionally. In addition, further damage may be done. Get a sack, blanket or coat, lay-it on the ground and gently and gradually slide it under him. Then, using this as a stretcher, carry him into a quiet spot or room, or place him on the back seat of a car. Profuse haemorrhage should be stopped or stemmed. This can best be done in an emergency by wedging a handkerchief, the cleaner the better, into the wound. If on a limb, a handkerchief tied round the wound will help. If there is no external sign of injury, but haemorrhage is seen from the nose or mouth, keep the animal as quiet as possible until help arrives, or until he is taken to the veterinary surgeon. Keep the animal as still and as warm as circumstances permit. Cover him with a blanket, rug or coat and, if possible, place a hot water-bottle along his spine

If there is any suspicion of internal injury, or if there is any blood round the mouth or nose, or if the animal is unconscious, do not give any stimulant or sedative. With a severely injured dog the best action is to check local haemorrhages and keep the patient warm and quiet until skilled help is obtained.

Artificial Respiration

The object of artificial respiration is to provide the animal with sufficient air (oxygen) when respiratory failure (i.e., stoppage of natural breathing) has occurred. Respiratory collapse, or failure, is found mainly during surgery, when an animal is anaesthetised, but poisoning by narcotics, coal gas or smoke may produce this state.

Action must of course be prompt as, if the heart is still functioning but respiration has ceased, it is a matter of minutes before the animal suffocates. If there is no heart action discernible the animal is almost certainly already dead, but artificial respiration should always be tried where there is any hope.

Procedure

Put the animal on a table, its left side uppermost and with the head hanging down over the edge, open the mouth and pull the tongue well out, if possible having an assistant to keep the mouth open and the tongue out during the attempts to restart respiration. If no assistance is to hand, a roll of bandage, a cotton reel or similar object may be used to wedge the mouth open. Always make sure there is no mucus in the throat, by wiping the back with a handkerchief or cotton wool. Grasp the left foreleg firmly just above the elbow (i.e., where the leg is attached to the body) and with the leg grasped in the hand, "pump" downwards and slightly towards the back end of the dog. This should be done firmly, and then the pressure released. The action should be repeated every 5 seconds. This has the effect of compressing the chest cavity when the ribs are pressed by the fist, and then the natural elasticity of the tissues will result in their expansion when the pressure is temporarily removed.

If respirations begin, a bottle of smelling-salts held underneath the head will rapidly improve their strength and regularity. A few drops of neat brandy on the back of the throat are useful as an additional stimulant.

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