Knowing CPR Could Save Your Pet’s Life



No one wants to think about finding their dog unconscious or in need of urgent medical attention, but knowing basic CPR skills could save your pet’s life. The Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care published the following guidelines on how to perform CPR on your pet.

  1. First, evaluate the need for CPR. Check if your pup is breathing by feeling for air near the nose. Also, watch for the rising and falling of the chest. Make sure there isn’t an object blocking your pet’s airway.
  2. Next, check for a pulse. The femoral artery, located on the inner thigh, is the easiest place to do so. If no pulse is present, move to the next step of CPR. If there is a pulse but your dog is not breathing, you can skip the chest compressions and move to mouth-to-snout respirations.
  3. Place your dog on his side on the floor, and kneel behind him or her.
  4. Locate your pet’s heart, and place one hand on top of the other over the heart. Keep your elbows straight and locked.
  5. Press down and compress the chest about one-third to one-half of its width two times per second, or 100 to 120 times per minute.
  6. After every 30 chest compressions, give two quick breaths to your pup’s snout. Close your dog’s mouth; place your mouth over your pet’s nose being sure to cover both nostrils. Give two quick breaths.
  7. Continue with another 30 chest compressions and repeat the process.

Familiarizing yourself with these guidelines now can save your furry family member later.

Source:

Pet CPR. Available from: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/pet-cpr#:~:text=Cover%20your%20pet’s%20nose%20with,Give%20a%20second%20rescue%20breath.&text=Continue%20giving%20CPR%20with%20a,breathing%20again%20on%20its%20own.&text=Briefly%20check%20for%20breathing%20and%20a%20heartbeat%20every%202%20minutes.

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