Management and prevention of toxicoses in search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters

Abstract

Despite this, problems may occur,and provisions must be made for prompt and appropri-ate treatment of SAR dogs exposed to toxic substances aturban disaster sites. The purpose of the present article isto describe diagnostic testing for and basic treatment ofSAR dogs exposed to specific toxicants and to providerecommendations to minimize potential risks.Patient AssessmentEach patient should be individually assessed, and anylife-threatening situation (eg, dyspnea or bleeding)should be addressed before specific treatment for a sus-pected toxicosis is initiated. Clinicians should not wait forconfirmation of a toxicosis before starting treatment, andlack of a confirmed diagnosis should not interfere withthe responsibility to “treat the patient, not the poison.”General principles of emergency medicine should be fol-lowed, and vital signs should be stabilized. Hydrationshould be assessed along with metabolic status. Once anyurgent problems have been corrected, decontaminationand antidotal treatment may be instituted as required.Hydrocarbons