Electric shocks often affect the mouth as they are frequently due to puppies chewing electrical cables. The animal may have burns on the lips, tongue and across the roof of the mouth, so don’t forget to open the mouth and have a look inside if you find a damaged electrical cable within your dog’s reach. It is not unusual to find a burn line along the tongue of puppies prone to chewing cables.
If a high voltage supply is involved (non domestic, for example, power lines), do not approach. Call the police.
In the home, turn the power off first, at the mains. If breathing and the heart has stopped, you may wish to give resuscitation. Call the vet immediately.
How will I know if my dog has received an electric shock?
Dogs may be found chewing something electrical or may jump as if they have just received a static shock. It is not uncommon to find pets unconscious close to a source of electricity, often still in contact with the source of electricity. Animals who have received a lightning strike are usually found dead, often with charring or other burn marks present.
However mild cases may not be discovered until a day or two later when your dog starts showing signs of pain or secondary infection of burns.
Electricity can cause muscular spasms which means jaws can end up clamping shut around electricity cables. In these cases the animal is often unable to let go. The live current may still be present and will shock you too if you touch your dog, so the first step is to turn the power off at its source if possible.
A dog showing any of the following signs needs urgent veterinary attention:
- Evidence of burns
- Signs of pain or distress
- Increased drooling
- Irritation at the site of contact (e.g. pawing the mouth)
- Coughing
- Breathing difficulties
- Collapse
- Unconsciousness
Dogs may show a delayed onset of signs. Dogs that have experienced a mild to moderate electric shock may show any or all of the following:
- pain at the site of shock (mouth pain, lameness etc.)
- Coughing
- Difficulty eating
- Increased drooling
- A foul odour to the breath
Pets showing these symptoms should be checked by a veterinary surgeon at the first possible opportunity.
Dogs with breathing difficulties or heart rhythm abnormalities may deteriorate suddenly during the first few days. They require a high level of care in a veterinary hospital if they are to make a full recovery.
Prevention
Prevention is key. Most electric shock injuries in the home are preventable. Dogs should always be discouraged from chewing cables. Bitter tasting sprays from the pet shop can be used to discourage chewing.
Always ensure that the area is safe if your pet has been electrocuted. Do not touch them until you have turned the electricity off at the mains. Electrical burns have an entry and exit and burn all the way through the inside. Therefore the electrical burn is unlikely to be the most important injury and should not be a distraction when they may be losing consciousness and could stop breathing as a result of the shock affecting their heart.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
I have a 3 month old puppy and she got electrocuted. She lost a part of her mouth and tongue. She’s been drooling and have an odour from the mouth. She seems to be normal though. I’m just wondering how I can clean it at home. There’s no vet around where I live and the closest one is 4 hours away. Is there anyway I can clean it?
Your pet has been very seriously injured and needs to see a vet asap.
Hi my dog is about 3 months old and he got electrecuted he received a cot From my father and now he is still alive although his heart is rapidly beating and he has a bad breath he has paler gums but he is active and I am still worried. Is there any chance that he would have problems with studding when he is electrecuted and what are the things we should look out for after he is electrecuted, is he allowed to take a bath drink water ?
Dear Chazlyn, I do hope your dog is okay. It sounds like they should definitely be checked by a vet. Once they are away from the source of the electricity, there is no problem with them drinking or getting wet. However, it sounds like they need to be seen by a vet quickly as electrocution can cause internal damage.
My one year old dog bit an extension cord. She jumped back which brought my attention to what she had done. I see no burns on her tongue. She ate a treat and a little bite if ice cream. Should I be worried?
Dear Tracy, I would always recommend that you get them checked out by a vet as an electric shock can cause heart arrythmias. Best wishes Emma
my puppy was sniffing at an outlet and all the sudden jumped and yelped very loudly. did he get shocked? he seems to fine now, he’s cuddling with me. he doesn’t seem to be pawing at the area, and there are no burns or any visible injuries. is he okay?
My puppy is an eight week old puppy and she bit onto the cord of our vacuum for a second and began to foam from the mouth and started to have a extremely small seizure, more of a collapse actually, and after that she was fine and eating and playing and licking. Is she okay or do I need to take her to the vet?
I would always get her checked by a vet. It could have caused more damage to her mouth than you can currently see.
My puppy was doing fine all day but a couple of hours ago she started throwing up her nose is dry looks sad but no signs of pain she is not eating or drinking anything as of yet er belly feels hot and she just wants to lay down she also seems to want to be alone she is a 4 mo american bulldog any ideas
Mark, I would take her to the Vet if I were you as she may have swallowed something toxic or be suffering from something more serious. Hope all is okay, Emma
My 8 month old dog got an extension cord and I found her under the tree I picked her up and she didn’t seem to be breathing so I started to breathe I’m her mouth and beat on her chest after a while she came to and than started to drink water She is a little weak when she walks she burned her Tongue that seems to be doing OK I’ll get her to the vet first thing in the morning it’s close now do you think she’ll be OK
So sorry to hear about your dog and very glad you are taking her to the vet. Please get her seen asap.
nMY 3 MONTH OLD PUPPY CHEWED ON A TV WIRE, SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TO BE GIVEN CPR ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL. HER MOUTH IS BURNED, BUT HER TONGUE IS BADLY BURNED. SHE PREENTED FLUID IN HER LUNGS BUT ALL OTHER SIGNS WERE GOOD. IF HER TONGUE CANNOT HEAL, AND HAS TO BE REMOVED CAN SHE LIVE WITHOUT HER TONGUE. IS THERE HOPE WHEN A TONGUE IS BADLY BURNED.
My Min Pin was electrically shocked by a 220 outlet her collar touched a live wire and she seems to be fine she only has three burn marks on her not bad didn’t didn’t get you her skin but she seems very lethargic today this was two weeks ago she seems not B her bouncy bubbly self
I have not already sent this question My Min Pin was electrically shocked by a 220 outlet her collar touched a live wire and she seems to be fine she only has three burn marks on her not bad didn’t didn’t get you her skin but she seems very lethargic today this was two weeks ago she seems not B her bouncy bubbly self
Hello. I have a 6 month puppy. She bit a cable and was electrocuted. Her mouth has been swollen and just today her mouth started to bleed. At first she had problems breathing but later she was able to eat and sleep and go outside but her mouth started to bleed and she is drilling excessively. She’s been laying and not her usual self. Her mouth is still swollen. The emergency clinic right now is full.
My dog got zapped on the outlet that we plug the lamp into and was stuck there for probably 5-10 seconds. She was obviously scared and she did pee and poop when she was in that state. Her mouth doesn’t look swollen and she is acting like her normal self this morning, not as hyper though. I checked her breathing all last night and nothing abnormal. She has no burn marks and ate treats but would not eat ice. Should I take her to the vet?
My dog chewed into my electric cord and bit down on it ! I panicked but managed to get the cord out of her mouth!! She appears to be okay but after reading these comments I’m definitely going to monitor her! Should I be concerned?
I have a 3-month-old blue American Staffordshire mix and I have another one but the brother of that one either ate something bit into Accord I don’t know it ran into my bedroom yelped a lot came running out and was biting his brother’s profusely and we calmed him down and he is now got his Jaws clamped and it’s barely moving it’s shaking a lot have no emergency vet or hospital near us what can I do to make sure my 9-year-old’s dog is going to be okay I need to know ASAP