Know how to observe the vital functions and recognize the symptoms of serious problems.
The body is made up of cells for which oxygen is indispensable: three functions help to distribute the oxygen within the organism:- nervous function;- respiratory function;- circulatory function.
Vital emergency is the term used for the weakening of one or more of these functions that can lead to death.
It is important then to recognize the symptoms of these weaknesses immediately in order to react appropriately before it is too late.
State of vital functions
1 - Assess the state of consciousness:- call the dog, snap your fingers, clap your hands. If the dog reacts (turns its head, raises its ears...), it is conscious;- complete the assessment by surveying the dog.
Otherwise - the dog is unconscious -, assess the respiratory function.
2 - Ensure that the air passage is clear:- remove the collar and slowly and carefully adjust the dog's head backwards.
3 - Assess the respiratory function:- while leaning over the dog, place your ear or cheek over the dog's muzzle. The air flow may be normal, increased, weak, or absent. Also observe the respiratory movements by ensuring the lifting of the thorax (flank movements).
If the airflow is absent, give two breaths before assessing the circulatory function.
The average number of breaths by minute should be 15 to 20.
4 - Assess the circulatory function:- this procedure is carried out by taking the femoral pulse. The femoral artery is located on the internal thigh. Establish the presence or absence of the pulse, if it is strong or weak.
Equally assess the frequency of the heartbeat by placing the hand on the left thorax behind the elbow (precordial shock).
The average heartbeat varies according to the size of the dog:- small dog: 100-200 beats per minute;-medium dog: 70-100 beats per minute;- large dog: 60-70 beats per minute.
The frequency of the heartbeat can, amongst other things, increase because of stress or hemorrhaging, or decrease because of shock.
Finally, observe the color of the mucosas (pink = normal, red = congested, white = signs of hemorrhaging, blue = cyanotic) and the time of capillary recoloration (push for several seconds on the gums until they become white and observe the time that it takes for them to become red again once the pressure is released), less than 2 seconds in normal conditions.
These observations are based on either the mucosa covering the pupils when lifted, the mucosa of the the gums, or on the mucosa of the vulva or the sheath.
Even if it is not an emergency, observation should continue.
Depending upon:- consciousness;- respiratory frequency;- frequency of the femoral pulse (regular and strong);- the mucus coloration and the capillary recoloration time.
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