Page 588 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

266.e4 Disaster Working Dog Management and Health

helpful are routine handling of the mouth, Baby wipes could be used periodically, flush sterile saline for flushing eyes and wounds,
feet, brushing, bathing, clipping or shaving, • Knowledge of the type of agent(s) at the apomorphine and/or hydrogen peroxide
eyes regularly.
VetBooks.ir Positive reinforcement training in these scene and regular re-evaluation. Try to with a cathartic, naloxone injection or nasal
for inducing vomiting, activated charcoal
rinsing of eyes, and teaching to sneeze.
areas could be lifesaving in an emergent
keep in well-ventilated area and upwind
spray, EpiPen, hemostatic agent, resuscitator
+/− upgrade area.
situation, especially if the handler is unable
to accompany the working dog. Low-stress • Prevent drinking unknown source water. bag and mask, stethoscope, thermometer,
ophthalmic ointment, booties, moist toilettes,
(fear-free) handling is important, as is Consider home water source or bottled water, liquid dish soap for decontamination of skin
involving the handler in treatments whenever electrolyte solutions, and/or flavoring of the and coat, towels for drying, water supply
possible. water, which may encourage drinking. • Knowledge of normal vital signs
• Person(s) providing treatment should use • Prevent ingestion by using basket-type • Canine field cardiopulmonary cerebral
proper PPE, including gloves, eye protec- muzzle. resuscitation
tion, mask, apron, and so forth. Disasters • Reflective safety vest, bullet proof vest, GPS • Obtain or locate ample source of safe
with mass casualties may include human tracking device water for hydration and decontamination.
contamination as potential risk (e.g., human • Canine flotation device Be sure food is stored safely, and avoid
immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis). Dogs • Appropriate holding/traveling area environ- contamination.
may carry infectious disease agents, endo- ment: fans/air-conditioning or heat, water • Knowledge of possible risks in animal’s line
parasites or ectoparasites, zoonotic diseases, for cooling and bottled drinking water and/ of work: define ahead of time or search out
or topical chemicals. or electrolyte solution, crate, good footing/ site safety officer or official site disaster
• Knowledge of chronic medications’ effects bedding while traveling or at staging area. veterinarian.
on work (e.g., prednisone, metronidazole Consider vehicle alarm for excessive vehicle • Save vomitus, urine, and/or feces if dog is
may affect odor detection) and interactions temperatures. acting abnormally: may be diagnostic. Save
with toxicants (e.g., hydrocarbons and certain sample of material or liquid the animal
medications) is important. When in doubt, Technician Tips ingested or drank (keep sample bags or
avoid medications that have unknown effects • Working dogs can be aggressive, fearful, or sterile plastic sample containers in vehicle
on performance. highly stressed. Communication with the or jump-pack). Save water and food sample.
handler is essential (if available), and their • Long-term health of disaster-working
Prevention presence and assistance is helpful. Safety is dogs does not appear to be significantly
• Heat index guidelines are not established critical for you, the canine, and the other compromised by their work (e.g., response
but should be considered. Rest and hydra- people assisting. Low-stress handling is to 9/11 terrorist attacks), although working
tion at least every 30-60 minutes. (FEMA helpful. dogs may have evidence of inhaled matter
guideline: equal rest time for every 20-45 • Working dogs are used to being muzzled, in pulmonary tissues (anthracotic pigments
minutes worked). Cooling by convection and handlers do not associate this with a or refractile particulate material).
and evaporation (tepid water soak of body; negative stigma. Use muzzles for safety. • If working dog dies, save body in cool area for
not extremities, not ice [causes peripheral Request chemical restraint as appropriate. necropsy as soon as possible at a veterinary
vasoconstriction], not alcohol). Flavored • PPE: always wear gloves and assume contami- teaching hospital, by military pathologist, or
electrolyte solutions have small but mea- nation or zoonotic threat (see Acute General as available to the site. Cooling can include
surable benefits in maintaining hydration. Treatment above); decrease ongoing exposure refrigeration unit, ice bags, or wrapping in
Subcutaneous fluids before work in stressful and absorption; focus on decontamination, blankets to prevent deterioration of tissues
environments are not likely to be beneficial. human safety, and personal protection. for analysis; do not freeze.
• Working dogs should be in top health, • Training: work in hospital to set up disaster
conditioning, and have excellent nutrition plan, train/volunteer with local and national SUGGESTED READING
to work at their best ability and without groups for disaster veterinary medicine (see Otto CM: Working dogs in the emergency room.
distraction. Client Education) In Drobatz KJ, et al: editors: Textbook of small
• Ample time for play, rest, and recovery from • Save samples (e.g., blood, urine, fur, vomitus, animal emergency medicine, Hoboken, NJ, 2018,
stressful work situations is essential. feces, food/water) from working dogs in case Wiley-Blackwell, pp 1298-1303.
• Routine veterinary preventive health care is needed for further diagnostics. If animal dies,
paramount, with appropriate vaccinations save for necropsy. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
for anticipated infectious diseases.
• Acclimation of dogs to PPE such as goggles Client Education READINGS
and foot protection before fieldwork is • Search for veterinary and disaster assistance: Altom EK, et al: Effect of dietary fat source and
important. Masks may not be appropriate NVRT (federal resource), Department of exercise on odorant-detecting ability of canine
because of panting and need for olfactory Health and Human Services, NDMS; state athletes. Res Vet Sci 75:149-155, 2003.
sense. and county animal response teams; local DeClementi C: Emergency management of lacrimator
• Decontamination procedures (e.g., bathing, Veterinary Medical Association and veteri- exposure for canine and equine handlers, Urbana,
IL, 2004, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
ocular and nasal flushing) are particularly nary emergency hospitals; Society for the DeClementi C: Issues of concern for drug and
important in disaster situations. Dogs should Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); explosive detection dogs, Urbana, IL, 2004, ASPCA
be accustomed to bathing and trained Office of Emergency Preparedness, state and Animal Poison Control Center.
for mass-decontamination procedures; county emergency management resources. DeClementi C, et al: VMAT decontamination
may include muzzle (prevent drinking of • Employer should have access for handlers to standard operating procedure. Presented at the
decontamination effluent), crate or kennel the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Disaster Medical System conference,
for decontamination protocol, separation (1-888-426-4435; keep number accessible) Dallas, TX, 2004.
from handler, and handling by people in with established account. Fitzgerald SD, et al: Pathology and toxicology
full PPE (e.g., level A or B suits). • PPE for handler and dog. Keep extra supply findings for search-and-rescue dogs deployed to
• Regular cleaning during work of nose, of working-dog equipment; may be difficult the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites:
initial five-year surveillance. J Vet Diagn Invest
muzzle, and body to prevent licking (includ- to decontaminate and need to be discarded 20:477-484, 2008.
ing licking the nose, where material may • Training in first aid procedures and kits: Fox PR, et al: Assessment of acute injuries, exposure
collect on the nasal planum) and ingestion. include bandaging and splint materials, to environmental toxins, and five-year health

www.ExpertConsult.com