Page 205 - 2022 Ranger Medic Handbook

Canine Patient Assessment
General Guidelines
Medics should perform only procedures necessary to treat life-threatening emergencies and prepare multipurpose ca-
nines (MPC) for MEDEVAC. Canine patients differ slightly in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology from injured adult
humans, but the same trauma principles apply. Knowledge of these key differences will increase success of resuscitative
efforts to our MPCs. Routine care of MPCs requires guidance from veterinary personnel. Veterinary care is not always
available within your AO; it is often limited to major transport hubs.

Canine Vital Signs And Normal Values
1. Temperature: Normal Rectal Temp is 99.5°F to 102.5°F
a. May increase up to 106°F after exercise/work without deleterious effects.
b. An acclimated and conditioned dog should recover to a normal temperature within 10–15 minutes after exercise.
2. Pulse: Normal pulse rate varies from 60 to 120 bpm in conditioned dogs and increases with exercise/excitement.
a. The femoral artery, or grasping the chest at the heart, are the easiest locations to feel a pulse. The femoral artery
is located on the inside of a dog’s rear limb at the division between the sartorius muscle and gracilis/adductor
muscles. In simpler terms, it is generally just behind the femur on the inside of the hind leg. Apply light pressure
and you should feel the pulse with two fingertips.
b. Alternate distal sites include:
1. Medially above the large foot pad on the backside of the front limb.
2. Medially two finger widths below the hock on the front/inside of the hind limb.
c. Variations will exist between individual dogs.
d. Count the number of beats for 15 seconds and then multiply by 4 to get beats per minute. Alternatively, you can
count for 10 seconds and multiply by 6 or count for 6 seconds and multiply by 10.
e. Pulses should be strong, succinct, and synchronous with heart beats.
3. Respiration rate: 10–30 respirations per minute. Controlled panting is normal, meaning panting should stop with any
significant stimulus (Ball, Kong, treat, tug, smell of isopropyl alcohol).
4. Capillary refill time (CRT): less than 2 seconds.
5. Mucous membranes (MM): generally pink and moist. Many dogs will have pigmented membranes.
6. Skin turgor: pinch the skin between the shoulder blades and lift up, pulling out any slack. Release and the skin
should immediately fall back into place if properly hydrated. SECTION 6
7. EtCO 2 : normal 35–45mmHg
8. Pulse Ox: >95% SpO 2 . Place the probe on the tongue or any highly vascularized, nonpigmented area (lip, vulva,
prepuce, between toes, etc.). Nonin finger probes only work on the tongue. Sedation with dexmedetomidine lowers
SpO 2 reading on the tongue.
9. Indirect blood pressure (BP): > 90mmHg systolic, > 60mmHg MAP, > 40mmHg diastolic. Use pediatric-sized nonin-
vasive blood pressure cuffs (neonate 5, pediatric 6–8). The cuff should be tight without overlapping. Use pediatric
settings on BP machine. Placement options below in order of ease.
a. Tail: place at the tail base (closest to body) with the artery indicator zone on the bottom side.
b. Front limb: place above the carpus with indicator zone on the back side.
c. Hind limb: place below the hock over the metatarsals with indicator zone on top of the foot and slightly off-center
medially.
10. Labs: human analyzers may be used for canines.
a. Chemistry, HCT, and ABG parameters similar to humans.
b. Canine albumin values are falsely low using human analyzers, and not accurate for diagnostic purposes.
c. Urine output 1–2mL/kg/hr. Urinalysis results comparable to humans.
Canine CPR
1. If MPC is unresponsive, not breathing AND the tactical situation permits, then begin CPR. Lay the animal on either side.
2. Hand placement can be directly over the heart (where the elbow crosses the chest above the sternum when the
forearm is pulled caudally) or over the widest part of the chest.
3. 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Sustain compressions for at least 2 minutes per cycle before checking status.
Compress one-third to one-half the chest width. Check status – palpate femoral pulse (Radial pulse is not easily
palpable in a dog.)
4. Establish airway as rapidly as possible (Intubate or tracheostomy without interrupting compressions).
5. Ventilate at 8–10 breaths per minute; use oxygen if it is available.
6. With more help or higher level of care you can begin advanced life support procedures.

2022 RANGER MEDIC HANDBOOK 191