3 Steps for Emergency CPR on Dogs and Cats

Knowing CPR Could Save Your Dog’s Life 

Locate the heart to start CPR on a dog

Learning CPR for dogs and cats is very similar to the techniques used on people.  Every second counts when you find your pet unconscious and without a heartbeat.  Brain damage and death takes only a few minutes. 

Giving your dog or cat rescue breaths and chest compressions keeps the blood circulating and oxygen reaching the brain.  

It’s very important to continue CPR on dogs and cats for as long as possible, until the animal begins breathing on his own or until help arrives to relieve you.  Unfortunately, ambulances and EMT’s do not rush to the assistance of pets, so try to call someone for help and continue CPR while driving to the animal hospital.

Laying a dog or a cat in a van or truck with a flat bed works best for effective CPR but the back seat of a car will do if nothing else is available. 

First Step of Pet CPR

The first thing to do if you find your dog or cat unresponsive is to make sure it’s safe for you to approach the dog.  Look around for any other animals or hazards that could harm you.  If the area is safe, go to your dog or cat and check to see if he’s breathing. 

Look, listen, and feel around the animal’s mouth for breath.  If there is no breathing, check the airway of the animal.  Open your pet’s mouth, and see if there is anything lodged in his throat.  Pull her tongue out to get a better view and use your finger to dislodge the object and remove it from the airway.

Second Step of Pet CPR

Lay your pet on his right side.  If you have a large dog, extend and straighten the dog’s head to open the airway and tightly hold her jaw closed.  Give two rescue breaths into the dog’s nose, watching to see if the chest rises.

For cats and small dogs, extend the head and give two rescue breaths through the mouth and nose.  Make sure the animal’s chest rises.

If you don’t see your pet’s chest rise, repeat the procedure for checking the airway.  Hold the dog or cat with her back against your body and give a quick, sharp squeeze to the animal’s abdomen to try and get the object out.  Repeat five times if necessary, and then check the airway again.

Begin rescue breaths again.

Third Step of Pet CPR

Make sure your dog or cat is on his right side because the heart is located on the left side of the chest.  Another method is to lay the animal on her back and give compressions the same way as for humans, but it’s hard to keep an animal in this position.

Check for a pulse by using two fingers under the leg beside the chest, under the hind leg, or on the paws.  View this demonstration of finding a dog’s or cat’s pulse. 

·         Give large dogs over 60 pounds, sixty compressions every minute

·         Dogs or cats that weight 11 to 59 pounds should receive 80 to 100 compressions every minute

·         Pets that weigh less than 10 pounds should receive 120 compressions every minute.

Squeeze the lower abdomen of your pet after giving the chest compressions to help circulate the blood.

Also, check for injuries and apply first aid, if necessary after giving the first rescue breaths. 

The older CPR skills required 1 breath to 15 compressions but the rates are now 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until your dog or cat begins breathing on her own.  Just remember that either way of performing CPR on dogs and cats is better than not doing anything when trying to save your pet’s life. Hopefully, you’ll never have to do CPR on your dog or cat.

Please comment, if you have any other tips to give about CPR or first aid for pets. Thanks for reading.

University of Washington School of Medicine:  “Learn CPR, You Can Do It”

CPR Dude: “CPR, Learn a Skill…Save a Life”

Pets America, “Proper Technique for Performing CPR on a Dog”

Massive Snow Banks a Danger for Pets and Children

The unrelenting snow has not only reeked havoc for commuters, school attendance, the homeless, and homeowners but for pets, as well.  Huge snow banks pose a serious danger to pets and children.  Drivers cannot see around corners for people walking their dogs or children playing in the snow.

Find out how you can keep your pets and children safe this winter.

Latest Pet Treats Recalled

Just when you thought it was safe to feed your dog store bought treats, a new batch is recalled. The following site has a list of the latest recalled dog treats announced by American Health Kennels, Inc. Recalled Dog Treats

Don't let your dog become deathly ill from these dog biscuits and treats. Check out the list for your pet's safety.

How to Protect Your Pet During the Winter

Well, Halloween is over and the clocks have been set back. You know what comes next...WINTER! It's time to think about preparing your pet for the cold, winter months. If your dog or cat spends a lot of time outside, make sure they have an insulated shelter to get in out of the cold. Even then, they should be allowed inside off and on throughout the day. Evenings get especially cold, the temperature dropping by 20 degrees or more. Bring your pet inside on winter nights.

Even if you have a long-haired pet, like a collie, a sheltie, or a Maine Coon cat, the weather affects them in the same way it does humans. They can suffer from hypothermia just as you do. Some dogs like Alaskan Malamutes or Siberian Huskies are better suited to the cold. They have insulated coats that protects them from blowing snow and wind, but if you own one of these dogs and they are not used to the cold, they can still suffer in the freezing weather. Make sure you insulate the dog house, garage, or wherever your pet sleeps with blankets, pillows, or bedding filled with wood shavings. Pet stores also carry heated pads that can be placed under the dog house or bedding. If your pet is a chewer, this is not an option, however.

Water is another issue during the winter months. An insulated dog house will not keep water from freezing. You will have to bring your pet indoors frequently for water. Dog houses and garages are only recommended for daylight hours. I can't emphasize enough that pets should be brought inside at night.

When walking your dog in frigid weather, snow, and ice, use some type of booties to protect the dog's paws from ice chips, freezing walkways, and salted roads. Road salt will dry out the pads of your pet's paws, causing cracking, and bleeding. You can make pet booties yourself with a woolen or felt fabric or knit the dog booties yourself. It may seem strange at first, seeing your dog in booties, but the added protection will prevent frostbite, cuts, and infection.

Small dogs, cats, and short-haired pets should also wear jackets or sweaters. Water proof dog and cat jackets are best, but any covering is better than no protection. Knitted wool sweaters are very warm and are ideal protection from the wet and cold. Just don't put wool sweaters in the clothes dryer or they will shrink to a tiny size. Wool sweaters need to be air dried. There are many free knitted dog sweater and cat sweater patterns online, so if you know how to knit, this is a great way to build up your pet's winter outerwear. It's fun choosing all the different colored yarns and knitting your pet a cozy sweater. Create matching pet booties, as well.

Another thing to keep in mind during the cold weather, especially if your pet is staying in a garage, is anti-freeze. Anti-Freeze is extremely toxic to humans, pets, and other wildlife. Animals will drink anti-freeze, being attracted by its sweet taste. If your pet drinks a puddle of anti-freeze, go to the vet immediately. It will cause death. Double check your driveway and garage for anti-freeze that may have leaked out of your vehicle or a vehicle that was parked in your driveway. Protect your pet and any other wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, and birds that are looking for water in the winter.

Dry, cold, or heated air is also a problem for some pets, causing dry skin, itching, and hot spots. Add a little extra fat to your pet's food in the winter. You can do this by using a tablespoon or two of olive oil, fatty acid supplements you can buy at the pet store, or the extra fat cut off of meat. The added fat gives a nice shine to your pet's coat and prevents dandruff. Your pet will love the extra fatty oils too.

Hope these tips help both you and your pet stay cozy and warm all winter.