COMMON DOG PARK
EMERGENCIES
HELP IS AROUND THE CORNER
Shelby Farms is a great place for dogs to socialize and
exercise, but sometimes, a trip to the park doesn’t go as
smoothly as planned. From heat stroke and pulled muscles,
to snakebites and dog fights, world-class veterinary care is
less than a mile away.
MEMPHIS
VETERINARY
SPECIALISTS
THE OUTBACK
OFF-LEASH DOG PARK
555 Trinity Creek Cove, Cordova, TN 38018
P: 901.624.9002 F: 901.624.9014
www.memphisveterinaryspecialists.com
©2015 Memphis Veterinary Specialists, LLC. All rights reserved.
DOG BITES
SNAKEBITES
DO take your dog to the professionals at an emergency
veterinary hospital immediately for wound cleaning,
closure, and antibiotic therapy.
DO seek immediate medical attention.
Bites are one of the most common dog park-related
injuries. To avoid dog bites, leash your dog when meeting
new friends and closely supervise dogs at play. If a bite
does occur:
DON’T delay care. Small bites can become seriously infected
without the appropriate care.
When snakes feel threatened, they bite. Signs of snakebite
can include mild swelling at the site of injury, bleeding
disorders, circulatory collapse, and death. If your dog is
bitten by any type of snake:
DON’T attempt to capture or photograph the snake. We don’t
need it to treat your pet appropriately.
DIARRHEA
HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke, a life-threatening condition, occurs when
your pet’s body overheats. Although dogs can pant to stay
cool, panting becomes ineffective in temperatures above
70°F and when humidity is greater than 70%. To prevent heat
stroke, avoid midday heat, provide plenty of cool water, and
urge your dog to take breaks. If you see signs of heat stroke,
such as excessive panting, collapse, lethargy, difficulty walking,
wobbly gait, or abnormal behavior:
Many dogs develop a loose stool after drinking from ponds
and puddles containing bacteria, algae, and other infectious
organisms. Always take a supply of fresh water or an empty
dog bowl to fill at the park. Untreated diarrhea can progress
to dehydration and intestinal bleeding (bloody stool). If your
dog has diarrhea:
DO seek veterinary attention.
DON’T delay treatment, as loose stools can quickly progress to
severe illness without proper medication.
DO seek veterinary attention immediately.
DON’T delay treatment by taking your dog home for a cool
bath. Treatment should be done under veterinary supervision
as “over-cooling” can lead to serious side effects as well.
RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES
Difficulty breathing (caused by exercise, excitement,
or heat) can be life-threatening if not rapidly addressed.
To help prevent respiratory emergencies, know your dog’s
limits. Like any athlete, a dog must be conditioned to intense
exercise. If your dog shows signs of excessive panting,
coughing, pale or blue gums, or high-low-pitched breathing:
DO seek immediate veterinary attention, which will probably
combine oxygen supplementation and injectable medications
to stabilize your pet’s breathing.
DON’T delay treatment. Respiratory emergencies can be
immediately life-threatening without treatment and oxygen
supplementation.
INSECT, FLEA, AND TICK BITES
Bites and stings occur commonly while dogs are playing
outside. Some bites and stings cause minor allergic reactions,
and others result in a severe anaphylactic response. Signs of
biting or stinging can include itchy red skin, hives, facial
swelling, excessive scratching, rapid collapse, vomiting,
diarrhea, and extreme weakness. If you see any of these signs:
DO seek immediate veterinary attention.
DON’T delay treatment by giving your pet oral antihistamines
at home. Dogs typically require treatment with injectable
medications under a veterinarian’s supervision to recover
appropriately from allergic reactions.
ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES
Injuries to your pet’s muscles, ligaments, and bones can occur
during exercise or rough play. The professionals at PetMed
Emergency Center and Memphis Veterinary Specialists can
diagnose strains, sprains, dislocations, and fractures, based on
a combination of orthopedic exam findings and X-rays. If your
dog is limping or reluctant to bear weight on a leg:
DO minimize activity and encourage rest, ideally in a kennel or
small room, until your pet is evaluated by a veterinarian.
DON’T try to treat your pet with over-the-counter human
medications – pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. These
may harm your pet. Your veterinarian can prescribe
medications that are safe for canine use.
A SPECIAL NOTE
ABOUT TICKS
When attempting to remove
a tick, wear gloves to protect against
tick-borne diseases. Grasp the tick with
tweezers near its insertion along the
skin to avoid leaving the head
embedded under your dog’s fur.
When in doubt, consult your
veterinarian for guidance.