Page 206 - 2022 Ranger Medic Handbook

Canine Trauma & Shock Management

S/Sx OF CANINE TRAUMA & SHOCK
S/Sx of Shock: Advanced:
1. Pale, gray, blue MM 1. Loss of consciousness.
2. Prolonged CRT, > 3 seconds 2. Dilated pupils.
3. Weak, “thready” pulses 3. Dyspnea.
4. Tachycardia, > 160 bpm 4. Hypothermia, < 98°F.
5. Tachypnea, > 30 bpm (differentiate from panting) 5. Mechanism: Often seen with penetrating wounds
6. Decreased consciousness of the neck, chest, abdomen, and hip
7. Hypotension
8. Collapse
Canine TCCC Management
Canine trauma management follows the same TCCC/MARCH principles as for humans. This section covers specific de-
viations and/or requirements from human protocols, which may improve survivability of MPC trauma patients. Handlers
are trained in these principles and will usually be the first to initiate aid.
Safety. Injured MPCs may bite from fear and/or pain, even with decreased consciousness. Wounded MPCs must be
muzzled when performing assessment and procedures unless presenting with respiratory distress. Sedation/pain meds
are authorized for MPCs not amenable to physical exam or treatment.
Care Under Fire:
Handler is okay: Handler will move himself and injured MPC to cover. Handler and/or Medic perform quick head-to-toe
check assessing level of consciousness and correcting life-threatening hemorrhage if the situation permits.
Handler Wounded: Wounded Rangers are first priority. Remove the injured MPC to cover if tactically feasible. Every
handler should have members of their platoon identified and comfortable working with the MPC. This person will help
maintain control of the injured MPC while another Medic or ARFR provides care.
SECTION 6 Tactical Field Care: MPC moves to CCP with other casualties. Medic triages other casualties before attending to MPC’s
wounds. Handlers and/or other EMT/RFR will provide initial care until Medics can divert their attention. Remove equip-
ment and tactical vests to fully assess the chest area. Provide sedation/pain meds (dosages on MPC Card) as needed
in conscious patients to complete exams and treatments. Communicate MPC casualty status and evacuation require-
ments through normal C2 channels.
Tactical Evacuation: MEDEVAC per usual manner according to precedence (Urgent, Priority, Routine). However, MPCs
will not precede other casualties of the same category. Handlers or trained representatives must remain with the MPC
throughout transport. Always reassess the patient and all interventions after movement. Always complete a K9 Casualty
Card and maintain with the patient throughout transport. Complete a casualty AAR in the normal manner and include
the RVET on all communications. MPC casualty information is maintained in the Prehospital Trauma Registry the same
as Rangers.
Point of Injury:
M 3 ARCH Always try to consider what is killing the animal and treat that first. Use the algorithm when you are not sure.
1. Muzzle: Although our dogs are generally sociable with other Rangers, any dog in pain will likely bite. These dogs bite
really hard . . . Muzzle them first. Generally our handlers carry a medical muzzle in their lower leg pocket.
2. Massive hemorrhage: Control extremity bleeding with combat gauze and pressure bandages. CAT tourniquets are
large and effectiveness can be tricky. If used, place above the stifle or elbow for injuries distal. SOF-T tourniquets are
100% useless on dogs. Pack GSWs to the neck, hip and shoulder with combat gauze using hemostats or Rochester-
Carmalt 8” (curved) or Rochester-Pean (curved) 8” forceps. X-stat has been ineffective at staying in the GSW track of
a hip and did not create tamponade or effective hemostasis in one Ranger MPC.
3. Medication: (Consider) an alert injured dog may need its pain managed and sedated just to pack a wound/treat an
injury, catheterize, bandage, etc. Unconscious dogs do not need sedation. In an alert dog, start on M 3 ARCH and if
necessary sedate. The following are protocols that may be used based on the medications available to Ranger Med-
ics and handlers in combat:

192 SECTION 6 MPC/CANINE TRAUMA & TACTICAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS