Electric shock

Electric shock happens when a pet's body becomes part of an electrical circuit, almost always because they've bitten through a live cord such as a phone charger, fan, or string of holiday lights. Less often it comes from chewed appliance wiring, a downed power line, or, rarely, a lightning strike. The electricity converts to heat where it contacts the tissue, so the first visible sign is often a burn on the tongue, lips, or gums. But the real danger isn't always what you can see.

Puppies and kittens are the most frequent patients, simply because young animals explore the world with their mouths. While all companion animals live in an environment with cords readily available, it's young dogs and cats aged 8 weeks to 2 years that are more commonly affected because electrical cords look like chew toys.