Pet CPR
The following information regarding Pet (cat and dog) CPR is provided by the American Red Cross (ARC) and is reprinted here per tweeter/reader requests for more-encompassing information.
My informed opinion is presented in [ brackets ]. Please also read the disclaimer at the bottom.
The following ARC information applies to cats and dogs. Specific information covering CPR for rodents, birds, and other animals is available on other sites.
It helps to be familiar with your veterinarians' office hours. Always keep their number handy. Many places also have pet emergency clinics. Be familiar with their hours and location.
Always bring your pet to your veterinarian if they have lost conscious, they needed to be resuscitated, or they are behaving strangely.
Please take the Red Cross First Aid course for pets! You won't regret it.
Pet CPR
Pets are part of the family, and just like learning First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills for adults and children allows you to care for your family, learning important first aid for your cats and dogs can help you best care for them.
With that in mind, we have introduced a new Cat and Dog First Aid online course that will help you be prepared to deliver first aid care for your pets – including CPR. To learn more and register for this online course, visit www.redcross.org/catdogfirstaid.
Cat & Dog CPR
1 Check for breathing and a heartbeat…
[ Check your pet's mouth before starting CPR. It isn't uncommon to find the airway obstructed by food, vomit, debris like a rock, etc. All the compressions in the world will not bring that pet back if the airway is blocked! Try to clear the airway by scooping the object out with your finger. I've had only one instance where I could push an obstructing kibble down a very small dog's throat. I don't encourage people to try this; I'm a former vet tech. ]
Check to see if the pet is breathing and check for a heartbeat. If you do not see your pet’s chest moving and cannot find a heartbeat, begin CPR with chest compressions.
[ You can lay your dog or cat on either side on a flat surface. I prefer to lay them on their right side. I then place my ear on their chest, looking towards their belly to see any signs of rise and fall. ]
2 Give chest compressions…
Place your hands on your pet as follows:
- For cats, small dogs and deep chested dogs, place the heel of one of
your hands directly over the pet’s heart and place your other hand
directly over the first hand. [ The landmark is behind the elbow of the left foreleg. ]
- For deep chested dogs, place the heel of one hand over the widest part of the chest and place your other hand directly over the first hand.
- For barrel chested dogs, place the dog on its back, place one hand over the widest part of the sternum, and place your other hand directly over the first hand. Lock your elbows and make sure your shoulders are directly above your hands.
- [ Tiny cats/kittens/dogs/puppies at or under 3 lbs (1.3 kg) may require compressions by hand. Grasp your pet's chest with one hand by placing your thumb and fingers on either side of his chest, behind his elbows and over the heart. For even smaller creatures, encircle the entire chest with your hands and squeeze circumferentially. ]
Then, push hard and push fast at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, compressing 1/3 to 1/2 the width of your pet’s chest. Make sure the chest comes back fully (recoils) before compressing again.
Perform 30 chest compressions
[ The rate of compressions, as I was taught:
- For animals over 60 lbs (27 kg), 60/minute
- For animals 11-60 lbs (5-27 kg), 80-100/minute
- For animals 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or less, 120/minute ]
3 Then give rescue breaths…
To give rescue breaths, [check for obstructions again and then ] gently close the pet’s mouth and extend the pet’s neck to open the airway. Cover your pet’s nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the pet’s chest rise. Give a second rescue breath.
[ SIZE MATTERS! Consider the size of the animal. Few require the same volume as a human would. Some only need a puff. Over-inflation of the lungs can cause them to collapse. The opposite of this is large breeds. You need to make a seal with your hands to keep your breaths from escaping their mouth.
BITEY END! Your dog or cat will be disoriented and may bite you if they come back during this process. ]
4 Continue CPR…
Continue giving CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until your dog or cat begins breathing again on its own.
[ Continue CPR until a) the animal shows signs of life; b) someone of equal or higher training takes over, c) you are too exhausted to continue or d) your pet is too far gone to continue. ]
5 Check again for breathing and a heartbeat…
Briefly check for breathing and a heartbeat every 2 minutes.
6 Get help…
Continue CPR until you reach a veterinary hospital.
[ This may not be available for you. In this case, and after performing CPR for a while, you may have to make the hard decision to let your loved one go. You tried so hard to bring them back. You have not failed them! ]
Learn more by taking a Dog and Cat First Aid online course today.
THE FINE PRINT
The material appearing on this Site is provided for informational purposes only. As with all health and wellness information, always consult your professional healthcare providers before beginning any new treatment or program for yourself, for others, or for pets/wildlife. The information on this website is not intended to serve as medical advice and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or disease. This website is not a substitute for professional medical care. The owners of this website and its affiliates assume no responsibility or liability for any consequence resulting directly or indirectly from any action or inaction you take based on the information found on or material linked to on this site.