Electric shock can be a serious and even fatal injury to animals. It occurs when an animal becomes part of an electric circuit or is affected by the thermal effects of a nearby electrical arc. Electric shocks most often happen when pets chew electric cables, resulting in burns, organ damage, and death. In many fatal cases in livestock, financial compensation is only paid if the cause of death can be conclusively related to a lightning strike. It is important to know what action to take if an animal sustains an electric shock injury. The severity of the injury can range from mild to life-threatening and it depends on the amount of current that passes through the body as well as how long it passes through the body for. Even shocks caused by low and otherwise harmless currents could startle an animal enough to cause them serious harm or even death due to muscular spasms. If your pet has been electrocuted, contact your vet immediately for advice and treatment. First aid measures such as cooling any burned areas with cold water should also be taken while waiting for professional help.