Vet Visit

Dealing with hypovolemic shock in a canine

All forms of shock share a common concern: inadequate perfusion.” – Garret E. Pachtinger, VMD, DACVECC

Sometime in 2008 while on duty, I took a look at our patients and wondered who needed special attention. Among those confined at the time was a Boston Terrier who had what seemed to be a respiratory condition. The Dog was brought in because of

an infection that caused dehydration.

I checked the others to see how they were. At around 10 in the evening, I proceeded to the office and went

over our notes to relax a bit.

After an hour, I went out again to

take note of that particular Dog.

He seemed to be suffering from respiratory embarrassment, with rapid and shallow breathing. His heart was racing, too.