emergencies pt2 Flashcards
(26 cards)
how to assess/triage a CNS emergency patient
- level of consciousness
- does the animal know its surroundings
- can it visually focused
- walking normally
- pupil size
- seizure activity
- pain response
common causes of CNS emergencies
trauma
contusions
lacerations
hemorrhage
edema
hypoxia - decreased perfusion
brain damage
initial treatments for CNS emergencies
- correct hypoxia and hypovolemia
- o2 supplementation
- IV fluids
- mannitol - osmotic diuretic
when are seizures an emergency
continuous unrelenting seizure activity (status epilepticus); lasts more than 10 minutes
causes and initial treatment for seizures
Infectious, head injuries, liver disease, OP toxicity, epilepsy,
neoplasia, metabolic disorders
◦ Focus on stabilization of major organs (CV, RSP, CNS)
◦ IV catheter
◦ Diazepam or Midazolam
◦ Phenobarbital
◦ Propofol
common clinical signs for GI emergencies
◦ Dysphagia, regurgitation, gagging, vomiting
◦ Nonproductive retching, abdominal pain
◦ Diarrhea, flatulence, dyschezia, hematochezia, constipation
what is a GDV
Stomach fills with gas (Dilatation) and twists/rotates (volvulus)
common signalment for GDV
Compression of the vena cava, decreased venous return, decreased cardiac output, decreased blood pressure & tissue perfusion including the heart
clinical signs of a GDV
nonproductive retching, abdominal distention & restlessness
treatment for GDV
◦ IV catheter with crystalloid & colloid boluses
◦ Antibiotics & analgesics
◦ Pass stomach tube to relieve distention
◦ Can trocarize
◦ Emergency surgery
how can a GDV be prevented
Gastropexy (stomach tack)
common causes of ocular emergencies
◦ Foreign bodies
◦ Corneal ulcers
initial treatment for ocular emergencies
◦ Analgesia
◦ Sedation & anesthesia
◦ Surgery
◦ Topical ophthalmic meds
◦ Topical antibiotics
some ways to communicate with a client during a potential reproductive emergency
◦ When is the pet due?
◦ Do you notice any discharge What color? Foul odor?
◦ How long been having contractions?
◦ How long between delivery?
◦ Do you see a pup or kitten coming out? How long?
◦ Can you take a rectal temperature?
criteria to determine if labor and delivery has become an emergency
◦ Strong labor lasting more than 30 minutes with no puppy/kitten produced
◦ More than 2 hours between puppies or kittens without contractions
◦ Fetus stuck in birth canal
◦ Green tinged discharge without a fetus
◦ Excessive amount of bright red blood
what is a pyometra and why can it be an emergency
pus filled uterus; can cause septic shock
causes of anaphylaxis
Drugs, vaccines, food, snake bite, insect bites, blood products
clinical signs of anaphylaxis
Severe - Hyperthermia, hypotension, bronchoconstriction,
tachypnea, seizures, laryngeal & pulmonary edema
Less severe – Vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, hives, pruritis
initial treatment for anaphylaxis
◦ Ensure patent airway - O2 supplementation
◦ IV fluids
◦ Antihistamines, corticosteroids, epinephrine
◦ Monitoring
common venomous snakes in US
coral snake
copperhead
water moccasins (cottonmouth)
rattlesnakes
do those snakes produce hemotoxin or neurotoxin in venom
coral - neurotoxin
copperhead - hemotoxin
water moccasins - hemotoxin
rattlesnakes - both
clinical signs and treatment for hemotoxin
swelling, discharge, pain, hypotension, thrombocytopenia,
petechia, bruising, coagulation abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias
- antivenin within first 4 hours, IV catheter & fluids, antihistamines, antibiotics
clinical signs and treatment for neurotoxin
paralysis & CNS depression, Muscle fasciculations, spasms, paralysis & respiratory failure
O2 supplementation, supporting clinical signs - No current antivenin
most common poisonous spiders in US
black widow
brown recluse
