Dog CPR: A Quick Guide
Knowing how to do CPR on humans can often make the difference between whether an individual lives or dies. It is no wonder why pet owners often wonder if it is possible to perform CPR on dogs as well. The good news is that yes, dog CPR is an actual procedure that you can learn.
What to Do First
In an ideal situation, a first responder is present, who is equipped with oxygen to administer to your dog. However, the nature of emergencies is that they don’t often happen under the right circumstances and environment.
A veterinarian or firefighter might not be the first person on the scene. If it ends up that you are the first one to arrive, call a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital right away. It will take a bit of time for them to arrive, so your CPR skills will be appreciated in the meantime.
The ASPCA provides the following instructions on what to do next. ‘Follow your ABCs’, they advise in regards to the dog’s airway, breathing, and cardiac.
A: Ensure that the dog’s airway is completely clear. Open his mouth and check his throat to see if there is anything stuck inside of it.
B: Is the dog breathing? To know for sure, pay attention to the dog’s chest cavity to see if it is rising and falling. Another way is to hold your cheek close to your dog’s nose. This will allow you to feel if there is airflow coming out of it.
C: Is the dog’s heart beating? Begin by laying the dog on its right side. Next, push the dog’s front elbow back to its chest. Locate the spot where the dog’s elbow touches its chest. That is where the dog’s heart is. Look and feel for a heartbeat in this area.
What If the Dog’s Throat Is Obstructed?
Performing the Heimlich Maneuver on dogs is done in a modified way. While manually trying to remove the stuck object, be careful not to accidentally lodge the object further down in the dog’s throat.
If the blockage is out of your reach, here is what to do next:
- Place your hands on either side of the dog’s rib cage.
- Apply pressure.
- If the dog is still not breathing, begin performing CPR.
Performing CPR on a Dog
If the dog isn’t breathing or you are unable to locate a heartbeat, it is time to perform dog CPR. Here is what to do, step-by-step.
Get the dog breathing again:
- Place the dog upon a flat surface, if possible.
- Open the dog’s air passages by aligning its head parallel with its back.
- Your mouth should now be placed over the airway.
- If you have a larger dog, only place your mouth over the nose.
- Blow air into the dog’s airway until you notice its chest rise.
- Producing 20-30 breaths per minute is ideal.
Get the dog’s heart pumping again:
- Locate the dog’s heart and press firmly. Ideally, you should try to perform 10-12 compressions over 5 seconds. These steps should be repeated at a one breath to 10-12 compressions ratio. After two minutes have passed, a new person should take over. This is because performing so many compressions can become overwhelming.
- If your dog is a large breed, you can also gently compress its abdomen. Doing so will help boost its circulation.
Monitor the Situation
Every 2 minutes or so, check to see if the dog is breathing again. If the dog is not breathing yet, keep performing CPR until medical help arrives.