Unexpected Trauma: Managing Shock, Injuries, Cuts, Wounds, and Fractures in Pets

Sometimes your loving pets and their pups may run over by cycle, rickshaw, auto, car or bus resulting in serious accident with shock and bleeding etc. Cuts and bite wounds are common features in household pets. Sometimes these accidents are so serious that your dear pet may leave you forever either at the spot or on the way for veterinary aid. 

What to do when such accidents occur?

After accidental injury the pet is totally exhausted. The patient may become completely unconscious due to shock with thready pulse and haemorrhage. In such a condition try to contact your nearest veterinarian as early as possible. The body of the pet may be kept warm by hot water bottle or rapping in a towel with proper care of free respiration. In case there is possibility of delay in getting the doctor, given him inhalation of liquor Ammonia Forte or smelling salt (calcium and ammonium chloride). 

Massage his chest gently and blow air by your mouth in his nostrils. Surface bleeding can be checked by the application of Tincture Benzoin Compound or Ferriperchloride dipped cotton wool on the part affected. External bleeding can be controlled by pressure bandage. For nose bleeding cool the part with ice cubes or cold water. Internal haemorrhage can be checked by oral or injection therapy of Styptovit, chromostat or vitamin K. 

In case of more blood loss arrange for intravenous infusion of Dextrose saline solution. Severed vessels may be clamped with artery forceps or ligated if so desired. Drugs like adrenaline, sylron and calcium gluconate are also effective in checking the bleeding from the body. Coramine injection is good in coma, shock and collapse. Cortisone preparations such as Dexona or Betnesol are life saving drugs in such emergencies. If animal regains consciousness at home, feed him glucose with water and calcium gluconate powder. Give him complete rest with least disturbance.

Shock in Dogs

Shock is a clinical state resulting in inadequate tissue perfusion leading to death of tissue. Shock may be caused by trauma, overwhelming infection, toxaemia or haemorrhage. These stimuli initiate either directly by toxins or indirectly by causing the release of adrenaline and other vasopressor substances and generalized constriction of blood vessels which reduces the volume of blood returning to the heart. 

This stimulates the release of more vasopressors and, in attempt to maintain blood pressure, further vasoconstriction occurs. If this self-perpetuating circles is not halted, death will ensure as the tissue received a progressively inadequate supply of blood. The main symptoms of shock include pale mucous membrane, weak pulse, shallow and irregular breathing, subnormal temperature and cold feet. self-perpetuating

Treatment

• A high concentration glucocorticoid is the suitable treatment for this trouble. Dose rate is 20-30 mg/kg by I/V or I/M. The required dose should be given slowly over several minutes.
• The drug is contraindicated in dogs suffering from viral infection, Cushing’s syndrome, congestive heart failure, diabetes or severe chronic nephritis.
• Once tissue perfusion has been restored, fluid therapy or antibiotic treatment may be given and the patient can be treated for the primary cause of shock. The pain can be controlled by the use of analgesics.
• In case of fits, stings, bleeding, electric shock and heat stroke keep the pet in darkroom, sponge the neck and head with cold water. Try artificial respiration by squeezing the ribs.

Care and Treatment of sprain and dislocation

Examine the part carefully. If it is a case of dislocation of any joint, try to set it by mild traction in its original position.

For sprain and muscular rupture apply Relaxyl ointment or Iodex on the affected part and rub it nicely for few minutes. Dry and hot fomentation is also useful. Feeding of a ½-1 tablet of Tendril twice a day for 3-4 days assists in early recovery in such cases. Supportive bandage can also be applied, if required. Give analgesics, anti- inflammatory drugs for checking pain and inflammation.

Treatment of small cuts and wounds

• For small cuts apply Betadine lotion after proper cleaning with Dettol, spirit or Savlon. Application of tincture of iodine is very effective for bruises.
• Wounds on the body of pets may be of two types: (a) Fresh wounds; (b) Septic wounds

In case of fresh wounds, if bleeding is there, check it by applying tincture Ferriperchloride or Tincture Benzoin Co. after proper cleaning with suitable antiseptic lotion and seal it with a thin layer of cotton wool. In severe haemorrhage with large wound contact the doctor immediately and get it stitched. In more blood loss infuse Dextrose saline I/V.

Septic wounds can be cured by daily dressing with any of the following:

• M.C. lotion of Povidone Iodine lotion.
• Sprinkling of Nebasulf, Cibazol, Neosporin or Betadine powder.
• Penicillin, Terramycin, Himax, Healovet ointment. Pets , Soframycin or Placentras

Clean the wound properly with Wokadine, Povidone, Dettol, Cetavlon or Savlon Apply any of the above combination. Insert the sterilized medicated gauze in deep seated wounds. Put surgical cotton over it and apply tight bandage. 

Repeat the dressing daily or on alternate days. Maggots, if present, should be destroyed by oil turpentine and chloroform. Injection of ivermectin at the rate of 0.2 mg per kg body weight is very effective against maggots. Oral administration of Ampicillin, Pentids Septran tablets or I/M injection of Ampicillin for 4-5 days checks further infection and assists in early recovery. 

Provide protein rich diet containing proteinex, meat, eggs and cheese etc.

Care and Management of Fractures

Two types of fractures are commonly met with dogs and cats: (1) Simple Fracture; (ii) Compound Fracture

In simple fracture only bone is found broken or cracked with intact skin. Compound fracture associated with skin muscle injury and bleeding are more complicated and dangerous. Provide assistance as under:

• Do not take chance with such pets for self-correction or treatment.
• Apply splints and supportive bandage to the part affected and rush for immediate veterinary aid.
• Arrange for vaccination against Tetanus in all traumatic injuries.
• Glucose or Calcium gluconate powder dissolved in drinking water may give some strength to your pet during such emergencies.
• Get the part X-rayed for proper diagnosis before plastering.
• Set the affected part in position by proper traction.
• Now apply Gypsona bandage over the corrected injury and then cover desired area or two joints below and above the fracture with plaster of paris. Keep this plaster in position for 45 days by repairing it in between, if so required.
• Provide Calcimax tablet twice daily for 30-40 days for early recovery and better union of the bones.
• Pain killer such as Melobest tablets can be given to reduce inflammation as and when required.
• Give complete rest to the ailing pet and save the plaster from getting wet. Provide protein rich diet to ailing pet.

New material to repair broken bones

1. Indian Scientists have developed a new material that can cement broken bones and repair them without any harmful side-effects.
2. A team from SRNAL Institute for Medical Sciences in Thiruvananthapuram Prepared the new bone cement using calcium and phosphorus-based compounds.
3. The cement set in 10 minutes, hardened in 15 minutes and was safe, studies showed.
4. Latest bone repair materials are based on calcium phosphate bone cements (CPBCs) which generally contain calcium and phosphorus in powder form and on mixing with a watery medium, form a self-setting putty.
5. CPBCs are emerging as the repair material of choice as they offer a lot of advantages.
6. They are biocompatible and are safe compared to other bone cements used for filling and fixing.
7. These mouldable materials can be shaped into any complex form and filled into any intricate cavity within the setting period.
8. They can adapt to the bone cavity, fix well and offer optimum tissue biomaterial contact necessary for stimulating bone growth.
9. In addition, calcium phosphate bone cements can be prepared in an injectable form, which simplifies the bone repair procedures that range from major surgery to keyhole surgery.

Homeopathic Remedies

• Aconite, 30 (for shock)
• Arnica mont 30 (for cut injuries)
• Silicea 30 (for septic wounds)
• Hypericum 30 (for nerve injuries)
• Calendula lotion (for would dressing)
• Symphytum 30+ Ruta 30 + Calcarea phos 30 (for management and healing of broken bones)
• Acid carb 30 (for septic maggot wounds)
• Acid nitricum 30 (for rotten wounds)