Learning About Dog Breeds

If you have a new puppy in the house, you'll need to give it as much supervision as possible. Puppies are naturally curious, which means they can get into trouble just about anywhere. Some things around your home can pose serious threats to your puppies safety, and health. Electrical cords are particularly dangerous for puppies, especially if they like to chew. If your new puppy is a chewer, you should take extra precautions to ensure that it can't get to the electrical cords. If your puppy does happen to chew on a cord, and receives a jolt of electricity, you'll need to act fast to prevent serious injury, or death. Here are four steps to take if your puppy chews through a live electrical cord.

Shut the Power Off to the House

If your puppy has bitten through an electrical cord, and is being shocked, don't try to touch it. You could receive a jolt, too. Instead, locate the main electrical box for your home, and shut the power off. This will cut the power to the outlet, which will stop the electrical current from continuing through your pup. Once you've shut the power off, you'll be able to safely touch your puppy.

Check for Breathing

Once you've turned the power off, you'll need to carefully remove the cord from your puppies mouth. Next, you'll need to check for breathing. Gently place your puppy on a flat surface, and place the palm of your hand on its chest. If your puppy isn't breathing, you'll need to perform CPR. Continue performing CPR until your puppy begins breathing on its own.

Watch for Seizures

If your puppy has received an electrical shock, it may begin having seizures. If it does, you'll need to keep it as calm as possible. During a seizure, your puppy may begin to moving its paws in a paddling motion, much like it would if it were swimming. It may also lose control of its bowels and bladder. Try not to move your puppy until it stops seizing.

Get to the Veterinarian

Once your puppy is stable, place it in a pet carrier, and transport it to the nearest veterinarian, like http://www.gulfportveterinarian.com. Be sure to let them know that your puppy has suffered an electrical shock, so that they'll be prepared with the proper care. It's important to note that if your puppy doesn't start breathing right away, or it continues to experience seizures after several minutes, you should get to the vet as soon as possible.