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Shock collar: Difference between revisions
→Risk mitigation: Most practitioners -> many practitioners
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From the electric shock itself, nerve damage or burns could potentially result, particularly with extended use at high power levels. The [[electrostimulation]] article provides more detail about the risks associated with electricity and the human body. | From the electric shock itself, nerve damage or burns could potentially result, particularly with extended use at high power levels. The [[electrostimulation]] article provides more detail about the risks associated with electricity and the human body. | ||
One of the most common risks associated with electric shock is not the shock itself but secondary reactions to it. The person who is shocked could potentially have an involuntary reaction being shocked, such as falling or flailing. The surprise, stress, or pain caused as a secondary effect of the shock could potentially result in vasovagal syncope (fainting). | |||
It's important to consider the risks of wearing the collar, even if it is not activated. Ensure that body-safe materials are used such as stainless steel or titanium; contacts made of nickel should not be used as this can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Repeated exposure to nickel can cause an allergy to develop even if one did not already exist. | |||
On dogs, the most common injury resulting from shock collar use is pressure necrosis (a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue as a result of pressure) from the prongs of the collar. This is generally a result of improper fit of the collar or prolonged wear.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Product Safety |url=https://www.pettpartnership.com/product-safety |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=PETT Partnership |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
====== Use on the neck ====== | |||
As the neck is the only connection from the head to the rest of the body, it contains numerous critical organs and nerves. These include, but are not limited to, the vocal cords, vagus nerve, carotid artery, jugular vein, and spinal cord. When a shock collar is worn on the neck, as with any collar, it should fit comfortably and not restrict breathing or circulation. | |||
While vagus nerve stimulation is an an accepted medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, the electrical output of a shock collar is very different than devices used for vagus nerve stimulation and cannot be directly compared. A known risk of vagus nerve stimulation is the risk of bradycardia (excessively low heart rate) or even cardiac asystole (stopping of the heart), but this is considered rare.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Capilupi |first=Michael J. |last2=Kerath |first2=Samantha M. |last3=Becker |first3=Lance B. |date=2020-02-03 |title=Vagus Nerve Stimulation and the Cardiovascular System |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6996447/ |journal=Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=a034173 |doi=10.1101/cshperspect.a034173 |issn=2157-1422 |pmc=6996447 |pmid=31109966}}</ref> With direct stimulation of the vagus nerve, the risk of vasovagal syncope is higher. | |||
Laryngospasm, an uncontrolled or involuntary muscular contraction (spasm) of the laryngeal muscles (including the vocal cords) could theoretically be triggered by electrical stimulation to the neck, but there is limited research about the mechanisms of action or the long-term effects of electrical stimulation on human laryngeal function.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lundy |first=D. S. |last2=Casiano |first2=R. R. |last3=Landy |first3=H. J. |last4=Gallo |first4=J. |last5=Gallo |first5=B. |last6=Ramsey |first6=R. E. |date=1993-12 |title=Effects of vagal nerve stimulation on laryngeal function |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8293068 |journal=Journal of Voice: Official Journal of the Voice Foundation |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=359–364 |doi=10.1016/s0892-1997(05)80259-0 |issn=0892-1997 |pmid=8293068}}</ref> | |||
Other risks associated with shocking the neck could include brain damage via hypoxia (baroreceptor activation at carotid sinus) and brain damage via electroconvulsive seizure. With that said, in medical literature, there are no documented cases of shock collars directly causing fatalities or permanent injury on humans. | |||
=== Wireless security === | === Wireless security === | ||
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To reduce the risk of skin irritation or pressure necrosis, ensure that body-safe materials are used, and ensure that the prongs make good contact without pressing too deeply into the skin. Some manufacturers offer "comfort pads" that can reduce pressure on the skin and increase the contact area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TITANIUM COMFORT PAD |url=https://dogtra.com/products/titanium-comfort-pad |website=Dogtra.com}}</ref> | To reduce the risk of skin irritation or pressure necrosis, ensure that body-safe materials are used, and ensure that the prongs make good contact without pressing too deeply into the skin. Some manufacturers offer "comfort pads" that can reduce pressure on the skin and increase the contact area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TITANIUM COMFORT PAD |url=https://dogtra.com/products/titanium-comfort-pad |website=Dogtra.com}}</ref> | ||
Many practitioners of this kink recommend avoiding the neck if possible and instead placing the collar on other areas of the body. If that is not feasible, avoid the front and back of the neck and instead use the sides. | |||
== Known incidents <!-- Provide a list of links to articles describing incidents involving this kink. --> == | == Known incidents <!-- Provide a list of links to articles describing incidents involving this kink. --> == | ||