FAQ for Dog
cpr
Signs your dog may be choking include anxiousness or acting frantic, dog stops breathing, gums may be blue or white, loud breathing sounds, pawing at the mouth, and struggling or gasping to breath.
1. Follow the ABC's. If your dog is not breathing and has no heartbeat start CPR.
If you can't convince yourself that your pet is breathing and has a heart beat within 15 seconds, start chest compressions.
2. Chest compressions
Small dogs (less than 15 pounds) - Maltese, Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, etc
- One handed technique: Wrap your hand around the sternum at the level of the heart with your thumb on the up side and the rest of the fingers underneath. Two handed technique: Place one hand over the other with the heel of the hand directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
Medium Large Round chested dogs - Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, etc
- Place one hand over the other, the heel of the hand should be highest or widest part of the chest. Lock the elbows, shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
Medium-Large Deep, narrow, keel chested - Greyhounds, Doberman Pinschers, Borzois,etc
- Place one hand over the other, the heel of the hand should be placed directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
Barrel, flat chested dogs - Boston terriers, Pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs,etc
- Place the dog on his back, place one hand over the other, the heel of the hand should be placed on the highest part of the sternum. Lock the elbows, shoulders above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
3. Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120/ minute.
4. Perform cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
Gently close the dog's mouth and extend the neck to open the airway. Cover the nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the dog's chest rise. Give a rescue breath over 1 second. As soon as 2 rescue breaths are delivered, resume compressions.
5. Briefly check for a heartbeat and spontaneous breathing every 2 minutes.
If there are two rescuers, switch jobs every 2 minutes. Minimize time with no compressions.
6. Continue CPR until you reach a veterinary hospital.
In the absence of CPR, there is little chance of reviving a dog beyond 10 minutes. Good quality CPR can buy you the time you need to get the dog to the vet.
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