What is shock?
Shock is a life
threatening condition defined
as a lack of blood flow which results in the body not receiving
enough oxygen & nutrients. Any condition which affects the
heart, vessels or blood volume can induce shock. [1] If not
recognised & treated immediately it can be fatal.
There are several
different 'types' of shock including; hypovolemic, cardiogenic,
septic & anaphylactic shock, and also many are many
causes of shock, some common causes include blood loss, dehydration (from prolonged vomiting &
or diarrhoea), heat stroke, blood infection (sepsis) & poisoning.
The most common type of shock is hypovolemic shock, which is
caused by loss of fluid from the circulation.
What are the
symptoms of shock?
-
Weak & rapid
pulse
-
Pale skin &
mucous membranes
-
Difficulty
standing
-
May be unaware
of their surroundings
-
Gums first turn
dark pink or red, then become grey
-
Shallow but
rapid breathing (greater than 40 per minute)
-
Slow capillary
refill time
-
Hypothermia
Home care:
-
Keep yourself &
your cat as calm as possible
-
If your cat is
not breathing, proceed with artificial breathing
-
If no heartbeat
or pulse, administer
CPR
-
If unconscious,
check that the airway is open. Clear secretions from the mouth
with your fingers. Keep the head lower than the body.
-
If bleeding,
control by applying direct pressure to the wound
-
Place a towel or
blanket on your cat to keep him/her warm
-
Don't give
anything to eat or drink
-
Proceed to your
vet immediately
To summarise:
Shock is
incredibly serious & can quickly kill if not treated
immediately. If your cat has been hit by a car but appears happy
& well it is still important to take it to the veterinarian for
a check up because it may be in shock without you knowing.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
References:
[1] Cat Owner's
Home Veterinary Handbook - Delbert G. Carlson
