K9 Operational Emergency Medical Support

20/02/2025

Great day with some amazing dog handlers. Lots of mutts mended 😉

20/02/2025

We are deeply saddened to hear the news that retired US Secret Service Dog, Hurricane, has passed away. Hurricane was awarded the PDSA Order of Merit in 2019 for protecting the then President, Barack Obama, and First Family from an intruder who attempted to gain access to the White House.

Hurricane was famed within his Unit for his outstanding drive, determination and courage. He may have been small in stature, but his power and tenacity knew no bounds. He spent retirement helping other working dogs receive subsidised veterinary care, and is recognised as the most decorated dog in U.S. history.

We send our heartfelt condolences to his handler turned owner, Marshall, and his family, during this difficult time. Hurricane was a true hero, and his legacy will continue ❤️

Rest in peace, Hurricane 🏅

[Visual description: Hurricane, a Belgian Malinois dog, wears a PDSA Order of Merit medal around his neck, looking to the right. Light shines on his head, illuminating his dark fur.]

27/01/2025

The respiratory system of a healthy human who breathes spontaneously is considered a negative pressure system.Tension pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space through means that prevent its escape. This leads to a progressive increase in intrapleural pressure, causing lung “collapse” on the affected side and potentially shifting the mediastinum toward the opposite side. A mediastinal shift compresses the contralateral lung, heart, and great vessels, impairing venous return to the heart and reducing cardiac output. This results in severe respiratory distress, hypotension, and potential cardiovascular collapse if left untreated...
Immediately checking for signs of an open or closed chest injury change the dynamic between provider and patient from reactive to proactive and potentially prevent further damage secondary to the injury.

27/01/2025

21/09/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/LQFNJxQxww17iiTd/?mibextid=WC7FNe

As summers continue to get warmer year-over-year, new research from the Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC) reveals the best way to prevent dogs from overheating.

After comparing various cooling methods, researchers found when a dog voluntarily submerged their head in clean, room-temperature water to retrieve a treat or toy, they not only cooled off faster, but also avoided dangerous post-exercise temperature spikes.

“During heat stress, blood flow to the head, nose, tongue, and ears is increased,” said Cynthia M. Otto, VMD, PhD, lead author of the study and executive director of the PVWDC. “Cooling the tissues of the head allows for rapid cooling of the whole body with limited amounts of water.”

🔗 Learn how to correctly teach your dog this game-changing method by visiting: https://bit.ly/4eajKuy

21/09/2024

Some important info on emergency heat injury treatment in canines

15/09/2024

Great time with some legends at Impact Working Dog Conference 2024. Can’t wait to see what 2025 holds for it.

14/09/2024

🎉🎊We are delighted to announce the IMPACT Working Dog Conference 2025 🎊🎉

🎂2025 sees the 10th anniversary of the IMPACT Working Dog Conference & we are proud of the long running history of our conference🎂

🤗Once again we will be bringing like-minded people together to share ideas, network & enhance the capabilities of our working dogs🤗

🎓Confirmed speakers so far are Cameron Ford & Nando Brown, who will bring some insightful presentations & learning opportunities🎓

🎫Early Bird tickets at just £119 are available at www.impactk9.co.uk🎫

14/09/2024

Starting Day 2 of the IMPACT Working Dog Conference with some biomechanics with . A crucial part of working with dogs, to avoid injury & maintain physical performance in handlers & instructors

14/09/2024

In full swing

31/07/2024

They’ve arrived 🤗as always outstanding service and quality from Challenge Coins UK. Big thanks for getting this order back to me for going to the USA and Canada.

11/07/2024

Lesson learnt evidenced based medicine, ‘stop the cooking’

Working in ER this past week: We had four heat injuries each day for two days straight. Four of these were French Bulldogs, which happens to be the most common US breed these days. The others were three Rottweilers (brachycephalic by exam) and one Pit X.

Only ONE survived. NOT a Frenchie. Not a brachycepahlix breed. The Pit X.

Why? He happened to be playing in a pond. He ran and played with kids on land and then in the shallow pond water in 95 F 85% humidity weather until he collapsed. The humidity at his breathing level was probably a lot more, since it was approx 12 inches above water level.

They recognized a problem and brought him in… from one hour away.

On arrival
he was HYPOTHERMIC. Low body temp. Typical of heat injury. We warmed him up, treated his other abnormalities and within a
few hours he waa normal. Like NORMAL. No kidney failure. No coagulopahty. NO PROBLEMS.

Why is this? Probably because this dog reached critical heat injury when he happened to be in the best environement for treatment… IMMEDIATE cooling in water that was colder than him.

RAPID cooling with the coldest source available is what saves dogs with heat injury.

It’s time ro let go of the old wive’s tales of how ice water causes vasoconstriction or that rapid cooling is bad. HEAT is what causes death in heat inrjury, not the coolong method.

26/06/2024

26/06/2024

Please read and take onboard

Here's a repost of our fast facts on heat injury. There's a lot of bad info going around out there right now. Everything we state in this list is backed by scientific evidence and lessons learned in the field. Feel free to share!

12/04/2024

Great day instructing the instructors with a specialist unit. Some great handlers, wanting to learn how to care for their partners.