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EXAMINATION OF HYPOTHERMIC ANIMAL
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To examine a hypothermic animal, one should proceed as follows:
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Brief history (e.g. duration of exposure, regarding circumstances in which animal found etc.).
- Brief physical examination including
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Depending upon the availability of staff and equipment, chest x-ray, urinalysis, complete blood work, and arterial blood gases are also recommended.
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If there is a high probability that the animal is severely hypothermic, breathing and heart rate may be slow, shallow and very hard to detect, therefore, take a full minute or more to measure these vital signs.
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Hypothermic patients with any measurable pulse or respiration obviously do not require Cardio - pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). However, if both pulse/heart beat and respiration are absent then commence CPR.
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Evaluate the animal's level of consciousness, size of pupil, ability to respond if conscious and ability to walk.
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When any of these characteristics are abnormal, suspect severe hypothermia and treat accordingly.
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While treating the hypothermic animal, also check the animal for other possible injuries. The best chances of recovery are as a result of early diagnosis and treatment.
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In accidental hypothermia, the animal should be brought into a heated environment and allowed to warm slowly to its normal temperature. Rewarming and maintenance of normal body temperature can be accomplished externally or internally (see Rewarming techniques).
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Neonates not only require rewarming but careful attention to nutrition should also be given.
Mild Hypothermia
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Prevent further heat loss, insulate from the ground, protect from the wind, cover the head and neck, and move the animal to a warm environment. Rewarming through the application of insulated heat packs to high heat loss areas such as head, neck, between legs, side of chest wall to prevent heat loss. Consider warm showers and warm bath, if the patient is alert (see passive external and active external rewarming techniques)
Moderate Hypothermia
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Keep the patient warm e.g. warm bottles, blankets, immerse patient in tub of warm water.
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Continue rewarming efforts until animal's core temperature is restored to normal (see active external rewarming methods).
Severe Hypothermia
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Animal in severe hypothermic state, can erroneously thought to be dead as no pulse, no heart rate, and no respiration is apparent. It is wise to follow the same criteria as in human medicine which suggests " the hypothermic patient is not dead until the patient is warm and dead."
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Animals with severe hypothermia should be treated by putting heat directly into the core areas (see active rewarming methods).
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If the heart beat and respiration is not detectable after checking for up to 1 minute then commence CPR: Mouth to mouth or mouth to mask breathing during CPR is best because this provides warm, humidified air or oxygen.
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One can also use an apparatus to ventilate the animal with 100% heated, humidified air or oxygen.
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Reassess the animal's physical status periodically while performing CPR.
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