Why does my dog collapse when being sick? Get Your Pet Thinking

Treatment of Dogs with Acute Collapse

Treatment of acute collapse is dependent upon the underlying cause. Initially, emergency treatments may be necessary if the blood pressure is too low or if bleeding has occurred. The following are possible treatment options that your veterinarian may choose to implement.

  • Reversal of the problem if the cause of collapse is known. Examples include removing an object that is obstructing airflow in the throat, giving an antidote if poisoning has occurred, or administering glucose (sugar solution) in cases of low blood sugar.
  • Intravenous fluids (an “IV”). These fluids can rehydrate and support the blood pressure.
  • Surgery if the underlying problem is operable, such as a bleeding abdominal tumor.
  • Intravenous drugs. The exact drug selection depends on the underlying or suspected problem.
  • Blood transfusion or blood substitute if anemia or hemorrhage contributed to the collapse.
  • When acute collapse occurs, do not panic. Observe your dog carefully. Notice if there has been a loss of consciousness. Remember what – if anything – precipitated the collapse, how long your pet was collapsed, and how he acted immediately afterwards. If your dog is unconscious, see if you can feel the heartbeat on the left side of the chest. If your pet seems dazed or aggressive, be very careful not to be bitten. Call your veterinarian and explain what has happened.
  • If your dog cannot rise, prepare to transport the collapsed animal immediately after speaking with the veterinary hospital personnel. USE CAUTION. Animals that collapse may be disoriented, confused, or aggressive during the collapse and during recovery. Consequently, they may bite aimlessly and can injure even the people most familiar to them.
  • Dogs that have collapsed often act normally within a few minutes. In such cases, a veterinary examination is still warranted to find the cause and try to determine if future collapse is likely.
  • If your pet appears completely recovered, try to make some notes. Remember the events surrounding the collapse. Was there an obvious cause (e.g. choking on a ball or toy)? Did it happen during normal activity or during vigorous exercise? How long did the collapse last? Was there a loss of consciousness? How did your pet behave afterward? These pieces of information can help the veterinarian tremendously.
  • When a collapse persists, generally, it is best to go immediately to the nearest veterinarian rather than spend time on “life-saving” measures. Inappropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), for example, may be ineffective and can also cause internal organ damage if done improperly.
  • Are there any restraint tips that might be useful?

    The majority of animals in an emergency situation will be panicked, disoriented, or injured. The stress of an emergency can cause an otherwise friendly dog to behave aggressively. Although most panicky dogs respond to a calm, soothing voice, it is important to maintain your personal safety by using caution when approaching or touching an injured dog.

    Small panicked dog threatening to bite In some cases, a muzzle may be appropriate. You can create a muzzle out of a leash, belt, rope, or pair of pantyhose. Make a loop in the cord and lasso it around the muzzle of the dog, tightening it to prevent the animal from biting. Dogs have only one muscle to open their jaw so once the jaw is closed, it is relatively easy to hold it safely shut. Dogs can breathe normally through their nostrils unless their nose is injured or obstructed.

    Wrap the dog snugly in a blanket to minimize movement during transportation. Be very careful when wrapping a dog if there is a possibility of broken bones or spinal injury. If you suspect a spinal injury or broken bone, lay the dog on a board and immobilize it with straps, cords, or even duct tape straps over a blanket (do not adhere the tape to its skin). Pay special attention to immobilizing the head and neck.

    It can be hard sometimes to tell when our dogs are having a true emergency, but when a dog collapses, it is always serious! Hopefully this won’t happen to your canine friend, but it’s important to be prepared if your dog suddenly collapses.

    6. Internal hemorrhaging might seem like a strange cause for sudden collapse, but it is all too common. Senior dogs, especially breeds like the Golden Retriever, are prone to developing a silently growing cancer of the heart, liver and spleen. There may be no outward signs until the tumor becomes too large and ruptures. This acute rupture leads to internal bleeding and collapse. The internal bleeding can be within the abdomen or within the sac around the heart (pericardium).

    4. Seizures can cause unexpected collapse. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as paddling, vocalizing, urination and defecation. The hallmark of a seizure is unconsciousness. During a true seizure, your dog will not respond to stimulus. Recovery afterward can be slow, and your dog’s behavior may be very abnormal. This is called the postictal phase.

    1. Heatstroke can occur during hot months secondary to overexertion and dehydration. Dogs pant to cool themselves. Excessive panting is the earliest sign of overheating. Avoiding vigorous exercise and making sure cool water is always available to your canine can help prevent this. Take walks in the early morning and at twilight to avoid the hottest part of the day.

    While this is happening, try to think about anything unusual that might have led to this incident. Was your dog playing in the heat? Were there insects around? Might your dog have been exposed to any toxins? These are questions the veterinarian will ask to try to determine the cause of your dog’s illness.

    Collapsing Trachea in dogs. Three tips from Dr. Dan!

    Small dog running in front of vehicle Pet medical emergencies can occur suddenly and without warning. It is important for all pet owners to have a basic understanding of common veterinary medical emergencies and basic first aid for their dogs. For details on how to perform rescue breathing and canine CPR, see the separate handout, “First Aid for Dogs”.

    Some emergencies are obvious, such as a dog that runs across the road and is hit by a car. Others may be just as serious, but not as obvious. For example, a German Shepherd appears restless after a large meal and tries to vomit; unknown to the owner, this is the beginning of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), one of the most serious medical emergencies in dogs (explained later in this handout). While no one can be prepared for all emergencies, there are some simple steps you should follow and signs to look for if your dog is ill or involved in an accident. Knowing this basic information could save your pets life.