How to Perform CPR on the Family Pet

You are playing outside with your dog and he seems to get dizzy and passes out cold with no signs of life. You rush over to his side in a complete panic. Your dog has gone into cardiac arrest and without immediate first aid he might not survive. Your dog needs Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR. Cardiac arrest in pets can occur for many reasons including car accidents, heat stroke, choking or other diseases or conditions like heart worms or low blood sugar. Even if you are not formally trained in CPR you can perform the lifesaving maneuver for your pet.

First, stay calm. You must assess the situation to determine if CPR is required. CPR is required when your pet is not breathing, shows no sign of a pulse and he is not physically responsive. It is fairly easy to determine if your pet is breathing or not by leaning down and putting your ear to his nose and mouth. If your pet is breathing on his own you will be able to hear or feel it. Next, check for a pulse. Chances are you will not be able to feel it in the ceratoid artery in his neck as you might with people.

Try applying your index, middle and ring fingers to the crease where his thigh meets his body to check for a pulse in his femoral artery. Finally, you should check his reflexes. Try checking the reflexes by tugging slightly on his leg to see if he pulls back or pinching the skin between his toes to see if he blinks. If there are no signs of breathing, no pulse and no reflex responses then he needs CPR.

There are several techniques to use when administering CPR and they depend on the size of the pet that needs it. When dealing with cats or small dogs lay them flat and cup your hand over their chest just behind the elbows. Compress the chest about one half inch with your thumb on one side and fingers on the other. Repeat five times and then perform artificial respiration by closing his mouth and blowing quickly into his nostrils two times. Avoid blowing too hard for these small pets because you could rupture their lungs. Blow only hard enough for the chest cavity to rise. Resume compressions and continue at a rate of 15 to 20 breaths per minute with five chest compressions in between breaths.

If you have a medium sized dog roll him over on his side on a hard surface to perform CPR. If you can, roll up a towel or use a small pillow under his chest to aid in compressions. Place one open hand on his chest near the highest point of the chest wall and then place the other hand over it and begin compressions. For these medium sized dogs you should compress the chest cavity 25 to 50%. Do not be concerned about pressing too hard. While you don’t want to intentionally break any bones, they will heal! Continue compressions at the same rate as previously described.

For very large or barrel-chested dogs you need to use a different technique altogether. First, lay him on his back and straddle him. Next, cross his paws across his breastbone. Finally, hold his paws with both hands and perform vigorous chest compressions. You should perform artificial respiration and chest compressions at the same rate as you would for smaller dogs; however, it will take more effort to perform both functions. Do not be concerned with blowing too hard; it will take quite a bit of effort to raise the chest cavity of these larger canines.

When performing CPR on all animals remember to stop each minute to check for a pulse or signs of breathing. If your pet’s pulse has resumed, but he is still not breathing then stop chest compressions and continue artificial breathing. If breathing resumes then you can discontinue first aid until medical treatment can be administered. If neither a pulse nor signs of breathing return, have someone drive you and your pet to the Veterinarian while you continue CPR in the back seat. Always remember to stay calm; if you are not calm you will not be able to help yourself or your pet.

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