When Your Pet Cannot Breathe
Difficulty breathing is also called dyspnea.
Respiratory distress is recognized by increased effort to breathe; noisy breathing; cyanosis
(a bluish tinge to the lips and mucous membranes); and an inability to inhale or exhale.
What to Do
** Keep the pet calm.
** Suction the mouth free of any fluid that interferes with breathing.
** If the pet has choked on a foreign body, perform the Heimlich maneuver and/or a finger sweep (see choking).
** Perform rescue breathing if necessary (see rescue breathing in the First Aid for Choking section).
** If the pet is overheated, wrap him in a wet towel.
** Seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
What NOT to Do
** Do not upset the pet.
** Do not perform rescue breathing on a conscious pet.
** Do not give anything by mouth.
Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a serious sign. Causes include heart failure, severe asthma (yes, dogs and cats do get asthma), allergic reactions, bronchitis, pneumonia, paralysis or obstruction of the trachea, poisoning, and many other conditions. It is imperative to get the pet examined to determine the cause.
A special condition called ineffectual panter syndrome warrants mention for dog owners who live in warm climates. It affects brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (e.g., English Bulldog, Pekingese, Chinese Pug). Because of the short nose, the soft palate can interfere with breathing. On hot days or in hot environmental conditions these dogs try to cool by panting vigorously and the soft palate interferes even more. This cycle continues until the dog is severely dyspneic and overheated. Cooling these dogs is imperative. Wrap them in a wet towel and move them to a cool environment. This syndrome is managable only by protecting these breeds from heat or by surgically reconstructing the soft palate.
Wounds
A wound is any break in the continuity of the tissues of the body, either external or internal.
What to Do
Deep Wounds
** Stop the bleeding (see the bleeding section).
** Do not attempt to clean the wound unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian.
** Protect the wound from contamination by applying a water- or saline-soaked compress. Do not remove it until instructed to do so by a veterinarian.
** Immobilize the wound to prevent further damage.
** Provide shock care if necessary.
** Obtain professional veterinary care. Transport the animal with the affected area facing up.
Superficial Wounds
** Stop the bleeding. Clean and bandage the wound as instructed in bandaging section.
What NOT to Do
** *Do not apply materials (other than those mentioned) to the wound unless specifically instructed to by your veterinarian.