Common Emergencies

Question 1

Gastric Dilation and Volvulus

Answer 1

• Often described as being unsettled, bloated/tympanic abdomen, hypersalivation, retching, collapse
• Primary survey may show tachycardia, dyspnoea, poor peripheral pulses, pale MM and slow CRT
• Pain relief, bilateral IV access, abdominal rads, blood sample for analysis (incl lactate reading)
• Prep fluid therapy, supportive care, stomach tubes and large gauge caths for stomach decompression
• At presentation 25% of patients have an abnormal ECG, in some cases it takes over 74h before its abnormal

Question 2

Urethral Obstruction

Answer 2

• Primary survey can show vocalisation, O reports straining or constipation, altered mentation, lethargy or collapse
• Tachy or bradycardia
• If bradycardia and hypothermia, they have 98% chance of serum potassium being over 8 mEq/L
• Use ECG to ID changes with hyperkalaemia

Question 3

Seizures

Answer 3

• Most present in the post ictal stage
• Primary survey can show altered mentation, hypersalivation, tachycardia, bounding pulses, injected MM, often hyperthermic
• Brachy breeds likely in respiratory distress, give O2 therapy

Question 4

Toad Toxicity

Answer 4

• Depending on severity, may show hypersalivation, foaming at mouth, injected MM (red from irritant of toxin), tachycardia, bounding pulses, hyperthermia, altered mentation, muscle tremors and generalised seizures, ECG may show abnormal traces
• IV access and decontamination of MM , use wet chux and take care not to get bitten
• Diazepam may be given rectally until IV secured