HELP! My Dog Has Been Electrocuted! What To Do If Your Dog Has Been Shocked

The other day I was sitting at my kitchen table (working on a new HUB of course) when I heard the most awful howling sound. Before I could even jump from my chair my Beagle, Sadie, was running towards me with a look of terror on her face.  Now this may sound strange but my beagle rarely howls, therefore, I knew something was wrong. After spending a few minutes comforting my dog I went into the living room to see if I could figure out what had spooked the poor pup. Well, it didn't take me long to notice that the lamp was no longer working due to a chewed up cord. Unfortunately, Sadie had learned a valuable, yet shocking lesson!

After examining Sadie's mouth I called her veterinarian to ask if there was anything in particular I should do or look for. After all, I had never dealt with an electrocuted dog before.  The vet told me to look for signs of swelling and if possible, ice the area that was shocked. Considering the fact that my beagle shocked her tongue, icing was going to be difficult, if not impossible.  She also told me to keep an eye on her for the next few hours to make sure that she didn't act strange or disoriented. To make a long story short, Sadie survived her shocking afternoon and thankfully, only had to deal with a red and irritated tongue for a short period of time.

Sadie's shocking experience got me thinking. Would I know what to do if she had seriously been electrocuted? Would I know what immediate steps to take in order to help her or even save her life? The answer to that question, unfortunately, is no. Therefore, I decided to educate myself so that next time (if there is a next time) I will know exactly what to do.

 It is probably not surprising to learn that electrical shocks usually happen to puppies and kittens. Why? Well, for one thing, puppies and kittens are VERY curious little creatures and will smell, chew and taste just about everything they come across. Therefore, for the safety of your pet, it is very important that you kitten or puppy proof your home! To learn more about this subject, please visit the Bunny Roo Beagle website. It is loaded with valuable (and fun) information!

Thankfully, most household electrical shocks that your pet may experience are not life threatening (just very scary). However, it should be noted that severe electrical shocks CAN happen and they can trigger seizures or even stop your pet's heart. An electrical shock can also cause an abnormal heartbeat or breathing difficulties…two things that you may not notice until several days after the incident. If your pet is electrocuted it would be wise to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. They may want to examine your dog or cat just to make sure that their heart is beating properly and no breathing difficulties are present.

So what do you do if your dog chews on a cord and seriously electrocutes himself? The answer to this question is simple…TURN OFF THE POWER! Why? Well, electrical currents will often cause muscles to go into spasm.  When this happens, your dog will, most likely, not be able to let go of the cord. In fact, he may even bite down harder. If the cord is still in your pet's mouth, you must turn off the power BEFORE touching your pet or there is a great chance that you will be electrocuted as well.

Electricity can cause an abnormal heartbeat. This is because the electric current disrupts the hearts normal electrical impulses. If your pet is seriously shocked, collapses and has stopped breathing, you will need to perform CPR as soon as possible. All you have to do is wrap your hand around your dog's muzzle (so that his mouth is closed) and then blow in to his nose with two quick breaths. Make sure to watch his chest to see if it moves (it should rise).  Give 15 to 20 breaths per minute until your dog begins to breathe on his own. After each breath, it is important that you watch to make sure his chest is rising…then remove your lips so that the air can escape.  Please watch the video below to learn more about performing CPR on your canine companion. As I always say, knowledge is power!

If your dog has a seizure after being electrocuted, do NOT panic! It is important that you stay calm so that you can help your pooch. First of all, most seizures are NOT as serious as they appear. Though they may look incredibly scary they usually stop within two to three minutes.  In the meantime, place a dark towel over your dog's face. By doing this, you will shut out light and noise which can help to end the seizure more quickly. If possible, do not touch or speak to your pet. By doing so, you are stimulating their brain which can possibly cause the seizure to last longer. So let's review. If your pet electrocutes himself and then has a seizure, you should place a small, dark towel over his face (make sure he can still breathe) and do not speak or touch him. Once your dog appears stable, take him to the vet as soon as possible for further examination.

I want to also point out the importance of keeping your pet calm and quiet. Why? Well, dogs that have been shocked may suffer lung damage (which in turn can cause breathing problems). Stress will only increase your dog's oxygen needs and put further demand on already damaged lungs. Speak in a soothing, calm voice, place your pet in a dark pet carrier and get him to the vet's office as soon as possible.

Most dogs suffer only minor burns to the mouth after being electrocuted. My beagle, Sadie, suffered a minor shock after chewing on a lamp cord (no permanent or serious damage done). If your dog suffers a minor shock…ice is the best treatment. Because it is very difficult to ice a dog's mouth or tongue, simply fill his water bowl with ice cubes. The ice cold water will numb the area for a short period of time…bringing some much needed relief. Obviously, it is best to apply ice (in a baggie or wrapped in cloth) directly to the burned area. If your dog allows this…great! It is important to note that mouth burns can take a long time to heal. This is because they are always wet and tend to become infected easily. If your dog's mouth does not heal or he seems to be in pain (due to an infection) take him to the veterinarian as antibiotics may be necessary.

Though most dog owners never have to deal with this shocking subject, it is important to know what to do should your pooch decide to chew on an electrical cord. When my beagle shocked herself, I had no idea what to do! Thankfully, the electrical shock to her tongue was minor and she was back to her old self in no time. Finally, I recommend that you buy a first aid book specifically written for dogs and cats. I have several and I cannot tell you how many times I have referenced them.

Well my dog (and cat) loving friends, that's it for now. If you have a few moments to spare, please visit some of my other pet related HUB pages. Thank you…and here's to happy and healthy dogs (and cats too!).

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