Shock

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Cost considerations, Special risks (e.g. anesthetic), Pathogenesis, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Monitoring, Prevention, Prophylaxis, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Kyle Braund BVSc MVSc PhD FRCVS DipACVIM
Dr Elisa Mazzaferro MS DVM PhD DipACVECC

Introduction

  • Cause : multifactorial syndrome where cardiovascular system is unable to maintain adequate blood flow to tissues.
  • Signs : poor circulatory function (decreased blood pressure, prolonged capillary refill time, pale mucous membranes, cool extremities, weak pulses).
  • Diagnosis : signs.
  • Treatment : circulatory support; address underlying cause.
  • Prognosis : good if appropriate therapy given immediately and underlying cause can be treated.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Cold extremities.
  • Tachycardia.
  • Poor peripheral pulse quality.
  • Increased respiratory rate.
  • Depression.
  • Coma.
  • Weakness/collapse.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other causes of shock:
    • Septic Shock: septic.
    • Cardiogenic Shock: cardiogenic.
    • Vascular.
  • Cardiac failure Acute heart failure.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Can be good if aggressive therapy given immediately before organ damage has occurred.
  • To a large extent depends on underlying cause.

Expected response to treatment

  • Reduction in heart rate.
  • Improving circulatory function, ie improving peripheral pulses and blood pressure; increased temperature and perfusion to extremities.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Therapy not sufficiently aggressive.
  • Overwhelming underlying cause.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Girard C & Higgins R (1999) Staphylococcus intermedius cellulitis and toxic shock in a dog. Can Vet J 40 (9), 501-502.
  • Shaw N et al(1997) Massive gastric hemorrhage induced by buffered aspirin in a greyhound. JAAHA 33 (3), 215-219.

Other sources of information

  • Macintire D K (2000) Hypotension. In: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5th edn. Eds S J Ettinger & E C Feldman. Philadelphia: W B Saunders Co. pp 183-186.

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