CPR, Circulation
Medium to Large Dogs (30 to 90 pounds):
- Stand or kneel with the animals's back to you.
- Extend your arms at the elbows.
- Cup your hands over each other.
- Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow lies when pulled back to the chest.
- Compress so the chest moves about 1-3 inches with each compression.
- If working alone, do five compressions for each breath, then check for a pulse.
- If there are two people, one person does the breathing while the other does the compressions at a rate of two or three compressions for each breath, then check for a pulse.
Giant Dogs (Over 90 pounds):
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. (If the animal is conscious and responds to you, then the heart is beating).
- Use technique for medium to large dogs.
- If working alone, do ten compressions for each breath, then check for a pulse.
- If there are two people, one person does the breathing while the other does the compressions at a rate of six compressions for each breath, then 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. (If the animal is conscious and responds to you, then the heart is beating).
Continue CPR until the animal has a strong heartbeat and pulse, or until you reach the veterinary hospital, or until 20 minutes have passed and your efforts have not been successful.
CPR can be performed on the way to the veterinary hospital, as long as there are at least two people present (one to drive).
