firstaidforyourdogs2

CPR is the method used to treat an animal who is not breathing or has no heartbeat. It consists of rescue breathing and chest compressions.

ABC'S of CPR: (Airway, Breathing and Circulation)

A= AIRWAY... Does the animal have an open airway? Check to see if the throat and mouth are clear of foreign objects.
     1. Lay the animal down, on either side.
     2. Gently tilt the head slightly back to extend the neck and head.
     3. Pull the tongue between the front teeth.
     4. Use your finger to check for and remove any foreign material or vomit from the mouth. Do NOT place your fingers inside the mouth of a conscious animal.

B= BREATHING... Is the animal breathing? If the answer is YES, allow the animal to assume the body position most comfortable for them. Then move on to Circulation. If the answer is NO, do the following:
     1. Open the Airway (re read A)
     2. For medium and large dogs, seal the mouth and lips by placing your hands around the lips, gently holding the muzzle closed.
     3. Place your mouth over the animals nose and forcefully exhale.
     4. Give four or five breaths rapidly, then check to see if your pet is breathing without assistance. If the animal begins to breathe, but the breathing is shallow and irregular, or if breathing does not begin, continue artificial until you reach the veterinary hospital or for a maximum of 20 minutes. (Beyond 20 minutes there is little chance of reviving your dog)

C= CIRCULATION... Is there a heartbeat or a pulse? If the answer is NO, perform chest compressions. Do the following:

MEDIUM TO LARGE DOGS (30-90 pounds)
     1. Stand or kneel with the animals back toward you.
     2. Extend your arms at the elbows.
     3. Cup your hands over each other.
     4. Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow lies when pulled back to the chest.
     5. Compress so the chest moves about 1-3 inches with each compression.
     6. If working alone, do five compressions for each breath, then check for a pulse.
     7. If there are two people, one person does the breathing while the other performs the compressions at the rate of two or three compressions for each breath, check for a pulse.

DO NOT ASSUME THERE IS NO HEARTBEAT OR PULSE SIMPLY BECAUSE AN ANIMAL IS NOT BREATHING. DO NOT START CHEST COMPRESSIONS BEFORE CHECKING FOR A HEARTBEAT.
     Continue CPR until the animal has a strong heartbeat/pulse, or until you have reached the veterinary hopital, or until 20 minutes have passed and your efforts have NOT been successful.

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