Signs of shock include rapid breathing that may be noisy, rapid heart rate with a weak pulse, pale (possibly even white) mucous membranes (gums, lips, under eyelids), severe depression (listlessness), and cool extremities (limbs and ears). The dog may vomit. Shock requires immediate emergency treatment.
Systolic blood pressure is normal in early shock. In late (decompensated) shock, perfusion is profoundly affected. Signs include low blood pressure, tachypnea, cool/clammy skin, agitation, and altered mental status.
Signs of shock can include: weak, rapid pulse. cold, clammy skin. faintness/dizziness.
Systolic hypotension, oliguria, metabolic acidosis and a cold clammy skin are late signs of shock.
Physical examination can show subtle changes like cool or pale extremities with delayed capillary refill, restlessness or agitation, narrow pulse pressure, or relative tachycardia.
For some, shock recedes very quickly. For others, shock lasts for hours or days. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way to experience shock. As shock fades away, emotion gradually makes its way to the surface.
Remember, shock can cause irreparable damage or death in minutes, so it's vital to get your dog to the vet immediately.
Electricity from an electric shock can damage the lungs and cause them to fill with fluid, making it difficult for your dog to breathe – this life-threatening condition is called pulmonary oedema. This may develop within minutes or can take up to 2 days to develop.
Depending on the severity of illness, it may take only a limited amount of time — 30 minutes — or a prolonged amount of time — several days — to stabilize a dog or cat. Prognosis is generally guarded with shock, and some patients may not be able to rebound, depending on age and severity of compromise.
Signs of shock include rapid breathing that may be noisy, rapid heart rate with a weak pulse, pale (possibly even white) mucous membranes (gums, lips, under eyelids), severe depression (listlessness), and cool extremities (limbs and ears). The dog may vomit. Shock requires immediate emergency treatment.
Shock commonly occurs following a traumatic injury and blood loss; however, it is important to understand that shock can also be caused by things such as heart failure, anaphylaxis, and several other disease processes. Therefore, recognizing the signs of shock, although tricky, is important as a pet owner.
Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or further injury. Keep the person still and don't move the person unless necessary. Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as not breathing, coughing or moving.
The most common clinical features/labs which are suggestive of shock include hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, obtundation or abnormal mental status, cold, clammy extremities, mottled skin, oliguria, metabolic acidosis, and hyperlactatemia.
Shock involves ineffective tissue perfusion and acute circulatory failure. The shock syndrome is a pathway involving a variety of pathologic processes that may be categorized as four stages: initial, compensatory, progressive, and refractory (Urden, Stacy, & Lough, 2014).
Shock is a continuum of events that progresses through several stages, including compensated, decompensated or progressive, and irreversible shock.
A major symptom of psychological shock is when you feel a surge of adrenaline. You may feel physically sick and find it hard to think straight. Your chest might feel tight, and you may experience a disconnection from what is actually happening—like watching a movie of events, compared to actually being there.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly.
If liquids are swallowed they may also enter into any open wounds, which increases risk for infection and further tissue damage. Additionally, some injuries such as severe spinal cord trauma could cause aspiration (inhalation) of liquid into the lungs leading to pneumonia or other respiratory issues.
If left untreated, hypovolemic shock can lead to ischemic injury of vital organs, leading to multi-system organ failure and death. The first step in management is to rule out other forms of shock, which will dictate treatment. Hypovolemic shock may be due to loss in total body fluids versus bleeding.