Dog CPR & artificial respirations

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I just read a document that told how to do dog CPR and artificial respirations.

I found it confusing and wonder if it's realistic that you could do all this.

For two of my dogs, it said do 20 breaths per minute. Then it said perform chest compressions (120 per minute).

Are these supposed to be done at the same time? If yes, you would have to have two people present - right? Then, a third person to get to the vet? If no, then I don't see how you could get them all in in a minute (compressions and respirations).

Then it said for my sized dogs, I should lay them on their back and compress each side of the ribcage. I don't see how this pumps the heart. And, for my small dogs, couldn't you break their ribs?

God, I sure hope I never have to do this.

[shadowfacedanes]

Originally Posted by debbie caponi

I just read a document that told how to do dog CPR and artificial respirations.

I found it confusing and wonder if it's realistic that you could do all this.

For two of my dogs, it said do 20 breaths per minute. Then it said perform chest compressions (120 per minute).

Are these supposed to be done at the same time? If yes, you would have to have two people present - right? Then, a third person to get to the vet? If no, then I don't see how you could get them all in in a minute (compressions and respirations).

It certainly helps to have two people, but it can be done by one.
You do the breaths, then the compressions then the breaths, and so on. I'll have to quote you from the red cross book tomorrow when I can get to it on the proper procedure in their terms (my version would confuse )

Then it said for my sized dogs, I should lay them on their back and compress each side of the ribcage. I don't see how this pumps the heart. And, for my small dogs, couldn't you break their ribs?

For the smaller dogs, I certainly wouldn't recommend laying them on their backs and doing it that way. That's not how I was trained. You lay them on their right side as you would any size dog and rather than using a lot of force for the compressions, you'd use your fingertips and apply light yet firm pressure.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

You can't do 120 compressions a minute (2 per second) plus 20 respirations per minute (one every 3 seconds). As soon as you stop doing compressions to do a respiration, you've fallen behind in the two per second compressions.

I'd appreciate any extra information you can provide. thanks.

[bernicesmama]

on rescue 911 I actually saw a guy give a dalmation cpr. his compressions weren't that fast though.

[Blaze]

I have given CPR to newborn puppies, I did 120 compressions per minute. But I didn't do that many respirations per minute too - I really don't know how it would be possible!

[Dobified]

Yes it is possible and it works as well, but just like people it will not work everytime but at least it can buy a dog a new chance.

I have actually seen it done.


CPR for Dogs

AIRWAY

- make sure that the animal has an open airway


1. Lay animal down on either side.
2. Gently tilt the head slightly back to extend the neck.
3. Pull the tongue between the front teeth.
4. Use your finger to check for and remove any foreign material.
BREATHING

- if the animal is not breathing do the following:

1. Open the airway.
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 animal's nose and forcefully exhale.
4. Give four or five breaths rapidly, then check to see if animal is breathing without assistance. Unless the animal begins to breath regularly continue artificial respiration until you reach a vet, or for a maximum of 20 minutes. Use the following breathing rates: * Medium or large dog (over 30 lbs): 20 breaths per minute.*
CIRCULATION

- if there is no heartbeat or pulse

Medium to large dogs (30-90 lbs)

1. Stand or kneel with animal's back toward you (animal laying on *right* side).
2. Extend arms at the elbows.
3. Cup hands over each other.
4. Compress the chest at the point where the animal's 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 5 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 a rate of 2 or 3 compressions for each breath, check for pulse.
Large dogs (more than 90 lbs)

1. Use technique for medium to large dogs.
2. If working alone, do 10 compressions for each breath, check pulse.
3. If there are two people, one person does the breathing while the other performs the compressions at a rate of six compressions for each breath, then check for a pulse.

* Do not start chest compressions before checking for heartbeat *
It is absolutely imperative that you ascertaithe cardiac status of the animal, that is, that there is NO HEARTBEAT, before commencing chest compressions.
Just because an animal is not breathing does not mean he also has no heartbeat. (Although if he does, he won't for long if he does not receive ventilations or start breathing on his own by opening his airway quickly.)
Take your time when checking for a heartbeat and be sure there is none before beginning compressions. Check for about 10 seconds, sometimes it can be hard to find, or faint. Be sure before you compress!

[mara]

They teach the "ideal" and you practice the "ideal" over and over and over......When you are actually faced with the situation the "practice" and a huge adrenaline rush take over. Because you have practiced the "ideal" so many times you would probably be surprised how quickly you do it. On babies we should do 100 compressions a minute with a breath every five--that's one person. It can be done--I've done it.
Just have to remember that any CPR is better than none at all and you just have to do the very best that you can. I did CPR successfully twice on my Boxer. I can't say I did the exact number of compression or breaths recommended but it worked.

[GSDNewbie]

excellent topic i wish they had classes available at each vet like you can take for human CPR!!

[shadowfacedanes]

GSD, contact your local red cross chapter. That's who I got my certification through. It's a 4 - 4 1/2 hour class. Cost was $25

[GSDNewbie]

red cross offers canine cpr? omg i didnt know i would love to take it!! I have seen it done and read about it for search and rescue we were quized on it but never really had a hands on class!