Page 127 - PJ MED OPS Handbook 8th Ed

Management:
1. Shade or AC
2. Wet down or submerge in room temperature water. If possible, fan dog afterwards.
Do not put a wet dog in the kennel. This will create a sauna like effect upon the dog.
3. Alcohol on pads
4. Cool ice packs under groin and arm pits
5. IV fluid therapy
6. Continuous monitoring until temp drops to below 103°F, then stop cooling, dry animal and con-
tinue to monitor temp at 15 minute intervals until stabilized.

K9 High Altitude Sickness and Pulmonary Edema

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Typically not seen in dogs, but may occur.
Signs and Symptoms:
1. Reduced appetite
2. Listlessness
3. Reduced activity levels
4. “Mildly dusky” tongue color/pale gums
5. Brown or pink tinted fluids from mouth or nose
6. Lung sounds (fluid in lungs)
PROPHYLAXIS:
1. Acetazolamide (Diamox)
a. 250mg PO bid 24 hours prior to ascent and continued for 48 hours after maximum altitude
is reached
b. If the 500mg sustained release tablet is used, dose is 500mg PO q24hr

TREATMENT:
1. Descend from altitude and treat symptoms
2. Oxygen
a. Example of blow by oxygen administration
b. Put O2 line in a cage/Vari kennel and cover with a poncho line, rain coat, etc.
3. Dexamethasone, 4mg IV/IM/PO q6hr
4. Albuterol inhaler can be attempted
a. Apply field expedient muzzle as shown.
b. Improvise a nebulizer by using a plastic bag or paper bag.
Open the bag, squirt the albuterol into the bag. Place the
bag over the muzzle and let the dog breath a few breaths
from the bag.

Chapter 8. Tactical Medical Emergency Protocols (TMEPs) n 125