Dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds can experience electric shock, also known as electrocution, which is most frequently seen in puppies and young dogs after chewing electric cables. Defective wiring, downed transmission cables, busted electrical circuits, and, incredibly infrequently, lightning strikes during thunderstorms outside are additional potential sources of danger.
If you are concerned about your pet, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian or, after hours, your local Vets Now pet emergency clinic or Vets Now 24/7 hospital.
Symptoms of Electric Cord Bite Injury in Dogs
We frequently overlook the risks that our pets may face because electricity is such an integral part of our lives that we take it for granted. Due to their curiosity and love of chewing, which is a natural part of their growing-up exploration of the world, puppies in particular are vulnerable. Depending on the circumstances of the bite, different electric cord bite injuries can cause different symptoms.
Types
Biting an electric cord can cause damage to the oral cavity that can range from a superficial burn that will cause soreness and discomfort to damage that will cause excruciating pain and the formation of scar tissue. Tissue injury is typically most severe at point of contact. Complications from the electric cord bite include a very real risk of mortality from cardiac arrhythmia or noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Treatment of Electric Cord Bite Injury in Dogs
It’s likely that your furry family member will require hospitalization so that the veterinary staff can monitor them. In order to administer medication to lessen the physical shock and the emotional trauma your pet is going through, low volume intravenous will be started. To aid in clearing the lungs, diuretics will be added to the intravenous mixture. As the tissues start the healing process, antibiotics will be administered to prevent infection in the mucous membranes.
Oxygen therapy will most likely be necessary. The discomfort that your pet might experience in the mouth and on the tongue will be treated with pain medication. If the incident caused muscle contractions, he might also experience muscle soreness.
The severity of the injury and your dog’s response to treatment will determine how long he needs to be monitored in the clinic.
Worried about the cost of Electric Cord Bite Injury treatment?
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FAQ
What happens if a dog chews through an electrical cord?
The most frequent type of electrical injury suffered by household pets is electrocution as a result of chewing on an electrical cord. Burns to the surrounding areas can result from these kinds of injuries (e g. or because the current modifies the electrical conduction in the heart, muscles, and other tissues
How do I know if my dog got electrocuted?
When a dog receives a mild to moderate electric shock, it may exhibit any or all of the following symptoms: pain at the shock site (such as mouth pain or lameness); ) Coughing. Difficulty eating.
What happens if a dog eats an extension cord?
If your puppy or dog chews on an electric cord, it could lead to life-threatening complications like pulmonary edema, mouth and tongue lacerations, and even death.
What happens if a dog eats copper wire?
This results in severe gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain), hepatitis (liver inflammation), and dehydration. If not treated in the first day or two, the copper begins to destroy tissues, the liver, and red blood cells after three days. Protect yourself and your pet.