Dog CPR: Everything you need to know

We all want our dogs to be healthy and happy throughout their lives. However, medical emergencies can strike at any time. That is why it is important to learn Dog CPR.

Most of us are familiar with CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for humans and might have learned about it in school or watched it on television.

We all know how crucial CPR can be in times of need.

Know how to perform CPR on your dog so that you’re ready for any emergency life throws at you. In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about dog CPR.

Let’s get started.

What is Dog CPR? Understanding the Fundamentals

CPR for dogs works the same way for dogs as it does for humans.

The life-saving procedure helps revive a dog that isn’t breathing or doesn’t have a pulse through chest compressions and artificial respiration. When a dog’s heart stops beating, you don’t have a lot of time to rush to the emergency facilities.

The oxygen level in the blood starts to rapidly decline, which, in turn, can cause vital organs such as the liver and kidney to fail. The chances of brain damage increase once a dog stops breathing. So, when it comes to CPR, every second counts.

Emergency Can Strike at Any Time

Whenever we think of a medical emergency, we think of doctors and first responders tending to the people we love or to us.

However, emergencies can happen anywhere and anytime.

Sometimes, it could take first responders 30-40 minutes to show up on the scene. This, however, may be too late.

So, we recommend every pet parent to learn CPR.

Dog CPR: What to Do In an Emergency?

If your pet has stopped breathing or doesn’t have a pulse, call the emergency services first and ask them to come immediately.

Once you’re off the phone, you’ll need to tend to your dog. Start by checking the ABCs that is, Airway, Breathing, and Cardiac.

Make Sure Your Dog’s Airway is Clear

Before starting CPR, make sure your dog’s airway is clear and doesn’t have any obstructions. Open the dog’s mouth and check the throat for obstructions. Remove the foreign substance if you find one.

An obstruction can cut off your dog’s air supply and won’t let your CPR efforts be fruitful. So, always check for them before you start.

Figure Out if Your Dog is Breathing

Observe your dog see whether or not his chest rises and falls. If you can’t see any movements, try placing your head on his chest and determine if your dog is breathing.

Finally, check your dog’s nose to feel the air going in and coming out.

It is important to note that your dog could just be unconscious. If that is the case, you may not need to perform CPR on him.

Is There a Heartbeat?

The last thing you need to check for is the heartbeat. Place your hand on the right side of your dog’s chest. If you can’t feel a heartbeat, try listening for it by placing your ear on the chest.

Performing CPR on a Dog

We hope that you never have to experience performing CPR on your dog. However, it is one thing that you should know to be prepared for any curveball life might throw at you.

If your dog is not breathing and you’re unable to find a heartbeat, you’ll have to perform CPR.

• Start by laying your dog on his back and aligning his head with his spine to clear the airway.
• Place your mouth on your dog’s mouth and cover his nose and the sides of his mouth to prevent the air from escaping outside.
• Begin blowing into your dog’s mouth. You’ll be able to feel the air go inside your dog’s lungs as they expand and come out as the contract. 30 breaths per minute is a good number to aim for.
• Start chest compressions by placing your hands on the right side of your dog’s chest (near his forelimb) and putting pressure on the area. Aim for 10-12 compressions in five seconds.
• Keep repeating until your dog starts breathing on his own.

For large breeds, you will need to perform compressions on the abdomen instead of the chest. Joining a CPR class held by a professional will help you understand the process and gain practical knowledge.

The directions are different for various dog breeds. So, you should have a conversation with your vet about dog CPR to understand what you’ll need to do.

In Conclusion: Dog CPR

Did we answer all of your questions?

You never know when a medical emergency can strike, but you can always be prepared for it. Knowing dog CPR can be the difference between life and death. We recommend all pet parents to sign up for pet CPR classes taken by experts.

After all, CPR can save your pet’s life.

What’s more, is you should always have a dog first-aid kit handy for other emergencies.

It’s always good to remain prepared.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Leave them in the comments, and we’ll get back to you soon.