Premium
Field treatment of search dogs: lessons learned from the World Trade Center disaster
Author(s) -
Otto Cynthia M,
Franz Marc A,
Kellogg Barry,
Lewis Rick,
Murphy Lisa,
Lauber Gerald
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of veterinary emergency and critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.886
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1476-4431
pISSN - 1479-3261
DOI - 10.1046/j.1435-6935.2002.00004.x
Subject(s) - search and rescue , medical emergency , disaster response , medicine , specialty , disaster area , service (business) , front line , disaster medicine , plan (archaeology) , emergency management , unit (ring theory) , operations management , business , poison control , suicide prevention , family medicine , computer science , marketing , engineering , geography , political science , robot , meteorology , mathematics , mathematics education , artificial intelligence , law , archaeology
Objective: To provide a synthesis of information learned by the veterinary community during the care and treatment of search and rescue dogs in a large‐scale urban disaster. Summary: Disaster medicine requires several stages. The most important stage is the planning stage. To function effectively and safely in a disaster situation, a disaster response plan and prior training in disaster response are essential. The execution of a disaster plan requires coordination and communication with multiple agencies. Treatment of search and rescue dogs involves front line field care for life‐threatening emergencies, a first aid station or MASH unit in close proximity to the disaster and/or base of operations for stabilization and general medical care, and local full service veterinary hospitals for specialty and extended care. New or Unique information provided: This report is a summary of experiences gained in preparing for and implementing veterinary care in a major disaster. Medical conditions that affected search and rescue dogs and were treated by veterinary disaster responders at the World Trade Center are presented.