Your veterinarian or an urgent care clinic is best equipped to care for your pet in an emergency and you should always attempt to obtain professional care for your pet before attempting to render care yourself. However, in the event of a serious emergency, it may be necessary for you to provide first aid to your pet, including rescue breathing or CPR.
Signs of Cardiac Arrest
No spontaneous breathing
No heartbeat or pulse
Grey-colored mucus membranes/gums
Dilated pupils that are not responsive to light
Is the animal breathing? Do I perform
CPR?
Make sure the animal is actually unconscious. Attempt to awaken the
pet by talking softly and touching it gently. You can be seriously injured
if you attempt to give CPR to a pet who was only sleeping heavily.
Open the airway by tilting the neck and head slightly back. Carefully pull
the tongue between the front teeth. Sweep the mouth with your finger, only
if you are sure the pet is unconscious.
Check for breathing. Look. listen, and feel for air. Watch for the
rise and fall of the chest.
If the pet is not breathing, close its mouth and hold it closed, place your
mouth over the animal's nose, and blow forcefully. Give 4 or 5 quick
breaths, then check for a pulse. This is rescue breathing.
If the animal has a pulse, give rescue breathing, not CPR. If the animal
has no pulse, give CPR. CPR should be continued for up to 15 to 20 minutes
preferably while transporting your pet to professional emergency care, or while
waiting for such care.
Rescue Breathing Rates
For cats or small dogs (under 30 pounds) give 20 to 30 breaths per minute, or a
breath every 2 or 3 seconds.
For medium or large dogs, give 20 breaths per minute, or a breath every 3
seconds.
CPR for a Cat or Small Dog
Lay the animal on its right side and kneel next to the pet with its chest
facing you.
Place the palm of one hand over the ribs at the point where the elbow touches
the chest and place the other hand beneath the right side of the body.
Compress the chest 1/2 to 1 inch.
If you are alone, give 5 compressions at a rate of 80 to 100 per minute, to 1
breath of air.
If someone is with you, have one person give compressions at a rate of 3
compressions to 1 breath of air from the other person. Stop and check for
a pulse. Continue CPR as needed up to 20 minutes.
CPR for a Medium to Large Dog
Place the animal on it's left side and kneel next to the pet with its back
facing you.
Place your hands, one on top of the other, on the animal at the point where the
left elbow of the front leg lies when pulled back to the chest.
Compress the chest 1 to 3 inches.
If you are alone, give 5 compressions, at a rate of 80 to 100 per minute, to 1
breath of air.
If someone is with you, have one person give compressions at a rate of 2 to 3
compressions per 1 breath of air from the other person. Stop and check for
a pulse. Continue CPR as needed up to 20 minutes.
CPR for a Giant Dog (over 90 pounds)
Place the animal on it's left side and kneel next to the pet with its back
facing you.
Place your hands, one on top of the other, on the animal at the point where the
left elbow of the front leg lies when pulled back to the chest.
Compress the chest 1 to 3 inches.
If you are alone, give 10 compressions, at a rate of 80 to 100 per minute, to 1
breath of air.
If someone is with you, have one person give compressions at a rate of 6
compressions to 1 breath of air from the other person. Stop and check for
a pulse. Continue CPR as needed for up to 20 minutes.
Contributed by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association