SURGICAL INTERVENTION

Recognizing shock took practice. But as a medical professional, I had already developed a sharp eye for detail. And in any veterinary medical emergency, the general rule is to clear the airway, oxygenate and ventilate, which was what I did.

I checked the heartbeat and it sounded like an overworked machine. With no time to lose, I went ahead and gave the Dog medications. But I noticed the Dog’s IV line was dislodged, and the veins were beginning to collapse.

The Dog was also in a cage, which hampered my mobility. I asked the assistant to move him to a table where I could operate without obstacles.

Still, I couldn’t insert an IV catheter. I had to be swift before the internal organs shut down.

I then knew that it was time for a venous cutdown.