Pet CPR: A Lifesaving Guide for Your Furry Friends
Introduction
If you’re like most pet owners, you would do anything to save your furry friend's life. In fact, 17% of pet owners say they've put their own lives at risk in an effort to resuscitate their animal companions. If you don't know how to perform CPR on a dog or cat, this can be dangerous for both parties. In this article, we discuss why it's important to learn how to give CPR and what steps should be taken for the safety of your pet during an emergency situation.
What is pet CPR?
Pet CPR, also known as pet resuscitation, is a lifesaving technique that can be performed by anyone who has been trained in this skill. It involves chest compressions and mouth-to-snout ventilation to help a pet who has suffered cardiac arrest.
This technique was developed by a veterinarian, whose dog was saved from drowning in 1982. He then began teaching it to other veterinarians so they could use it on their own patients if needed. The rest is history!
Why should I learn pet CPR?
If your pet is having a medical emergency, it's important to know what to do.
As the owner of a pet, you're responsible for their health and well-being--and that includes knowing how to administer first aid in the event of an emergency situation. If you have never been trained in pet CPR before, this guide will teach you everything that you need to know about how best to keep your furry friend alive until help arrives.
How to do pet CPR.
You can perform pet CPR the same way you would perform human CPR. The steps are:
- Check for a pulse.
- Perform rescue breathing (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths).
- Repeat until the animal wakes up or help arrives, then call your vet immediately!
The technique involves placing your pet on his side and making sure there is no obstruction in the mouth. You then place one hand on top of the other, with your fingertips touching the animal’s chest between its front legs. Compressions should be performed at a rate of 100 per minute for small dogs and 120 per minute for larger ones.
When to perform pet CPR.
You should know how to perform pet CPR if your animal has stopped breathing or is unresponsive. If this is the case, act quickly and call your veterinarian immediately.
- When your pet's heart has stopped beating: If you notice that your dog or cat hasn't moved in several minutes and its gums are pale or blue, it may have suffered a heart attack. Call your veterinarian immediately and begin chest compressions on them until help arrives.
- When their breathing has stopped: If you see that your dog or cat isn't breathing normally (they aren't making any noises), start giving mouth-to-nose resuscitation while performing chest compressions at the same time until help arrives.
If you are the owner of a pet, it is important that you know how to administer CPR in an emergency situation. Mostly, all pet owners should learn how to perform this life-saving technique because it can be necessary at any time.
How long should you perform pet CPR?
Pet CPR is a temporary measure that can help save your pet's life. The amount of time you should perform CPR depends on the situation. If your pet is breathing and has a pulse, continue to monitor them. If not, continue with chest compressions until you get help from an expert or veterinarian.
- If there is no heartbeat at all, call for help immediately!
- If you don’t know how to perform CPR on a pet, your best bet is to call your vet or local animal hospital.
If your pet is unconscious, but has a heartbeat and is breathing, perform these steps 1 through 4.
- Stand or sit behind the animal’s back.
- Extend one arm across their chest with your palm facing down and place your other hand on top of it.
- Compress the chest about 2 inches (5 cm) and release, continuing this process until your pet starts breathing again.
- If there is no heartbeat at all, call for help immediately!
If you don’t know how to perform CPR on a pet, your best bet is to call your vet or local animal hospital. If your pet is unconscious, but has a heartbeat and is breathing, perform these steps:
- Stand or sit behind the animal’s back.
- Extend one arm across their chest with your palm facing down and place your other hand on top of it.
- Compress the chest about 2 inches (5 cm) and release, continuing this process until your pet starts breathing again.
Takeaway:
If you can get your pet to a vet immediately, do so. If not, call your veterinarian and explain the situation to them. They will be able to help guide you through the next steps of caring for your furry friend.
If you are unable to reach your vet or local emergency services, try to keep your pet as comfortable as possible until they arrive.
If there is any chance of saving your pet, it’s important to get professional care as soon as possible.
Conclusion
As we acknowledge pet CPR is a lifesaving skill that every dog owner should have in their arsenal. It's not only important for your furry friend but also for other pets and even people. If you ever end up in a situation where your pet needs immediate medical attention remember these tips!
