Introduction
Anaphylactic shock in dogs is a medical emergency that must be treated as quickly as possible. In severe cases the condition needs to be treated within a matter of minutes. This type of condition cannot be treated at home- veterinarian medical attention is required. Once a dog in anaphylactic shock has arrived at a veterinarian clinic, emergency treatments are given to stop the reaction, treat the shock, and address any additional conditions in the body that occurred as a result of the anaphylactic condition.
Treating Anaphylactic Shock
The intravenous administration of epinephrine is the initial treatment for anaphylactic shock. Epinephrine increases the heart rate, constricts the blood vessels, and helps to inhibit the further release of compounds in the body which are running the anaphylactic shock reaction. After epinephrine has been given, a large amount of intravenous fluids are administered in order to combat shock.
In severe cases, oxygen therapy is administered in addition to intravenous anti-histamines and steroids. Additional symptoms of shock such as low body temperature are addressed as well. Injectable antibiotics are often administered to prevent secondary bacterial infections which often develop after an anaphylactic episode.
Due to the fact that anaphylactic shock in dogs attacks the liver and gastrointestinal system, continual monitoring after the episode is normally recommended. Blood tests are taken to check the liver’s function and the health of the other organs, and the dog’s gastrointestinal tract is monitored for damage. The large amounts of fluids that must be given to combat shock can also lead to water retention; in many cases a recovering dog is not released from the clinic until he or she can urinate and the effects of water retention decrease.