Continuing Education

The annual Western Veterinary Conference held here in Las Vegas offered hundreds of opportunities to earn annual continuing education units that are required to maintain a professional license in medicine; in our case, veterinary medicine. I was lucky enough to get a whole day in this year, although in the past I have attended most every day, gone to the special Veterinary Technician concerts and events, and participated in the hands on labs that are not at the convention center but at the designated Oquendo Center, an affiliate of Western Veterinary Conference itself.
The Oquendo center is a fantastic facility, newly completed, with a theater, barn, conference rooms, and concierge service for groups.  Among the annual events are interspersed regular opportunities to advance knowledge for medial professionals. There is a 12 table surgery suite, with 12 prep stations; a formal dental suite (for animals) that includes 5 wet tables; classrooms, radiology with digital equipment, a freezer and necropsy room; lab stations.
A learning session at Oquendo is nothing to pass up. 
But I digress to the labs, when I spent most of my time at the lectures this year. I had an opportunity to hear about wild animal diseases, behavior, training, and emergency care for patients in shock, this last one being what I wanted to discuss.
SHOCK:  life threatening condition where oxygen isn't getting to the tissues.  It can be caused by many events, trauma being the primary reason most pets are seen at he emergency center.  What can you do if your pet is in shock?  Know the signs/symptoms of shock (cats and dogs).

• Profuse bleeding that cannot be stopped (don't forget about internal bleeding)
• Fainting, Unconsciousness
• Bright dark red or white/blue gums 
• Fast heart beat (varies, but generally above 200 beats per minute)
• Weak pulse (feel at neck or inner thigh)
• Fast breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute)

For the pet caretaker, or owner, these are the things to look for.  Your job is to get your animal to the veterinarian as quickly as possible; minutes count.  Wrap the pet in a warm blanket and apply pressure to stop arterial bleeding (press the artery against the bone on the inner thighs or
just above the "elbow", inside, of the front legs).

What causes shock, besides being hit by a car or other obvious trauma?  Heartworms can cause shock by blocking blood flow to and from pulmonary systems.  It can be induced by severe dehydration or diarrhea.  Poisons can cause shock.  Heart disease can cause shock.  Shock is a general term for several different pathologies that result in the tissues not receiving adequate oxygen, which can cause damage and eventually death.  It pays to keep an eye on your pets' condition every day, and don't let little problems mount in huge ones.

I'll post some photos on the website for you to reference.