Artificial Respiration and CPR For Dogs (and Cats)

The dog days of summer are definitely here – 96 fahrenheit in the shade. It may be that “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun” but sensible canines will find a cool and comfy spot to nap away the hot hours. Unfortunately, too many of their humans are not so smart and leave their pets outside with no shelter, or take them walking on searing pavements, or encourage them to chase balls at wide open parks. The result can be heatstroke, which can cause unconsciousness that can lead to respiratory arrest that usually occurs before cardiac arrest.

This is the time to begin artificial respiration (rescue breathing) if you are to save your dog’s life. If the heart stops, you will have to give chest compressions to keep the blood pumping. The combination of these two actions is CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Thanks to Chris Petescia (http://carrotcreative.com) for this image.

Artificial Respiration

1. Lay your dog on its side on a flat surface.

2. Be sure your dog has stopped breathing; watch for the rise and fall of the chest, feel for breath on your hand, look at the gums – they will turn black from lack of oxygen.

3. Check the airway – it must be clear. Open the mouth and look for foreign objects. If an object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it forward. If this does not dislodge the object then use your fingers, pliers or tongs to grasp it. If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, use the Heimlich maneuver.

4. Once the airway is clear, begin rescue breathing.

5. With your dog on its side, lift the chin to straighten out the throat.

6. Use one hand to grasp the muzzle and hold the mouth shut.

7. Put your mouth completely over the nose and blow gently; the chest should expand. Blow just enough to move the chest (be gentle for small dogs and cats).

8. Wait for the air to leave the lungs before breathing again.

9. Repeat, giving 20 breaths per minute (one breath every three seconds), until your dog breaths on his own or as long as the heart beats.

10. Continue to monitor the heartbeat.

CPR

If your dog’s heart has stopped beating, alternate artificial respiration with chest compressions using one breath, then five compressions. For two people performing CPR together, alternate one breath then the second person should do three compressions.

For Small Dogs and Cats (under 30 pounds)

1. Lay your dog on its side on a flat surface.

2. Lay the palm of your hand on the rib cage over the heart. Place your other hand on top of the first. (For puppies or kittens put your thumb on one side of the chest and the rest of your fingers on the other side).

3. Compress the chest about one inch. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 80 to 100 compressions per minute.

For Medium and Large Dogs (over 30 pounds)

1. Lay your dog on its side on a flat surface.

2. Place one hand on top of the other over the widest portion of the rib cage, not over the heart.

3. Keeping your arms straight, push down on the rib cage. Compress the chest 1/4 of its width. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 80 compressions per minute. Continue until your dog breathes on his own and has a steady heartbeat.

It should go without saying (but I’ll say it anyway), get your pet to the vet as fast as possible or you may still have a dead dog on your hands!

“Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun” ~ Noel Coward.

Additional resources: Dog and cat anatomy images.