Image for article titled How to Perform CPR on a Dog

Humans don't deserve animals. They are beautiful and fun to have around. When something goes wrong with a dog, it's all the more frightening. In the event of a medical emergency, you should be prepared, even if your dog is healthy and happy. There is a way to give your dog cardiopulmonary assist.

How to know your dog needs CPR

If a dog needs to be resuscitated, you shouldn't do it unless you have to, as it can be hazardous and even dangerous for a healthy dog. The goal of cardiopulmonary rehydration therapy for dogs is the same as for humans: if a dog's heart stops beating or they stop breathing, oxygen levels can drop and vital organs can fail, and cardiopulmonary rehydration therapy can provide artificial respiration and blood flow until the heart can be

If your pet is breathing or has a heartbeat, it's time to check them out. If you can't find a pulse, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

How to perform CPR on a dog

Different sizes and types of dogs can be placed in different hands.

Make a mental note of where your hands should go in the event of an emergency by checking out your dog's body mass index. Before beginning cardiopulmonary rescue breathing, you should make sure there is no obstruction to your pet's throat.

  • Small dogs: If your dog is small, make a fist and place the heel of your hand over their heart. Put your other hand on top of your fist.
  • Deep-chested dogs: If the dog is deep-chested, place the heel of one hand over the widest part of their chest and the other hand on top of that one.
  • Barrel-chested dogs: If your dog is barrel-chested, place the dog on their back, put one hand on the widest part of their sternum, and cover it with you other hand. Lock your elbows and make sure your shoulders are positioned directly above your hands.

The Red Cross outlines the next steps.

  1. Push hard and fast, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
  2. Be sure the compressions are one-third to one-half the width of the animal’s chest.
  3. Make sure the chest comes back fully before compressing again.
  4. Give rescue breaths by closing the pet’s mouth and extending their neck, covering their nose with your mouth, gently holding their mouth closed with your hand, and exhaling until you see the dog’s chest rise (for dogs under 30 pounds, cover the entire nose and the mouth with your own mouth).
  5. Continue to give CPR, cycling between 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths, until they start breathing on their own.
  6. Check for breathing and a heartbeat every two minutes after beginning CPR.
  7. Continue the procedure until help arrives or you are able to transport the dog to an animal hospital.

How to do the Heimlich maneuver on a dog

If you find an obstruction in your dog's throat, you may be able to remove the object on your own, but don't do so if you think you'll end up lodging it farther down the airway. If you want to clear the passage, use a modified Heimlich maneuver.

  1. Place your hands on the sides of the dog’s rib cage
  2. Apply pressure.

Make your way to a veterinary hospital if your dog doesn't start breathing after the block is removed.