Animal Health
Pet CPR
What You Need to Know

By Chrissy Capacchione

Illustration of a group of pets, including a large white dog, a smaller brown-and-white dog, and an orange cat. A large, stylized red heart with a white medical cross symbol floats above them, suggesting pet health or veterinary care.
Picture this: It’s a typical day, the dogs are romping in the yards and all is well and calm. Then you notice one of the dogs begins to stagger in their gate before abruptly collapsing. You rush over to find that the dog is not breathing, and you cannot feel a heartbeat. From the time the dog collapsed until you reached them, their body has already been deprived of oxygen for 15 seconds. You have less than three minutes before the onset of brain and organ damage.

Would you know what to do?

Understanding Cardiac Arrest
In the event of a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating or beats ineffectively. It is unable to transport blood to the brain and other organs, and as a result, blood oxygen levels quickly begin to deplete.

Prolonged lack of oxygen to vital organs—even for only a few minutes—can cause organ damage, and eventually organ failure. At four minutes, this damage is likley permanent. Once starved of oxygen from four to six minutes, the chances of survival are bleak.

Pets with heart, respiratory and neurological issues, in addition to seniors and those with flat faces, are at an increased risk of suffering a cardiac arrest. If you suspect an animal is experiencing cardiac arrest, there are several signs other than changes in or lack of breathing, collapse and unconsciousness. Other noteworthy signs include gums or skin that appears blue or is cool to the touch, hypothermia and dilated pupils.
Defining CPR
CPR, which stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, can be a lifesaving procedure in the event of cardiac arrest. When CPR is administered, artificial breaths and chest compressions are given to the person or animal in crisis with the aim of reviving them. When administered early on, CPR decreases the chance of organ damage occurring, and increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

CPR should only be performed on an unresponsive pet. It is possible for a pet to be unconscious but not unresponsive. The difference is their ability to return to consciousness with or without medical intervention. A pet requiring medical intervention to regain consciousness is considered unresponsive. If the pet is breathing, CPR does not need to be administered.

Illustration of a person's fingers pressing down on the chest of a small, red, stylized cat or small animal. A white arrow indicates the direction of the downward compression, depicting chest compressions for CPR.
Cats & Small Dogs

The hand is placed over the heart, the thumb on one side of the chest with the fingers on the opposite side. The thumb and fingers are then squeezed together and released in order to compress the chest.

Illustration of a person bent over a large, red, stylized dog, performing chest compressions with both hands. A white arrow on the person's back indicates the downward force of the compressions, demonstrating CPR technique on a large dog.
Large Dogs
The hand is placed over the heart, the thumb on one side of the chest with the fingers on the opposite side. The thumb and fingers are then squeezed together and released in order to compress the chest.
Performing CPR
There are two main steps when performing CPR. The first is giving rescue breaths. Rescue breaths supply the lungs with oxygen that they would otherwise be deprived of when a pet ceases breathing. Secondly, chest compressions are administered to the pet. Chest compressions assist in supplying blood and oxygen to the heart along with other vital organs.

The following is a basic outline of how to administer CPR. However, it’s important to be properly trained and certified in performing CPR.

  1. Check for breathing and a heartbeat.
    Make sure that the pet’s airway is not blocked. To do this, both the head and neck should be extended and in alignment with their spine and the tongue pulled forward. If the pet is breathing, CPR is not necessary. Instead contact and bring the pet to a veterinary clinic or hospital. You can feel the heartbeat at the point where the left elbow touches the chest or at the femoral artery on the inside of their rear leg in the groin area.
  2. Administer chest compressions.
    When performing chest compressions on small dogs and cats, the hand is placed over the heart, the thumb on one side of the chest with the fingers on the opposite side. The thumb and fingers are then squeezed together and released in order to compress the chest. To administer chest compressions to large dogs, lay the dog flat on their side. One or both hands are placed over the heart and then pressed down on the chest wall before releasing to perform the compression. The chest should not be compressed by more than half of its width. Compressions should be repeated approximately 100 to 120 times in a minute.
  1. Give rescue breaths.
    To give a pet a rescue breath, make sure the muzzle is closed, then create a seal by placing your mouth around the pet’s nose and mouth. Next, breathe directly into the nostrils until you see their chest rise. Allow the pet to exhale, then repeat the rescue breath. Rescue breaths should be given about every 15-20 seconds during CPR. If two people are present, rescue breaths can be provided by one person while the other continues performing chest compressions.
  2. Assess the pet.
    Check to see if the pet has begun breathing again or if they have a detectable heartbeat. If not, get help and continue CPR until you reach a veterinary hospital if you are able to do so. However, it is important not to prolong the transportation of a pet to an emergency hospital in order to perform CPR.
Getting Certified in CPR
There are multiple options to learn and become certified in CPR. Classes may be in person, but there are also many online course options. The American Red Cross offers the ability to enter your location and search for the nearest in-person pet CPR and first aid classes.

Additionally, local veterinary clinics and shelters may offer classes in pet CPR and first aid, or be able to direct you to classes that are being offered in your area. Professional pet care expos and organizations also offer certification courses that are more tailored to the pet care professional.

Taking a pet CPR and first aid class will teach you how to correctly perform CPR on a pet, in addition to useful troubleshooting techniques, assessing a pet’s vitals and prevention. Once completed, the certification is typically valid for a period of two years. Renewing may require an abbreviated course or exam and can often be done online, depending on the certifying organization.

As a pet care professional, it is imperative to be prepared for any situation that may arise. And in the case of cardiac arrest, you are no doubt dealing with a life or death situation. Getting certified in CPR—and making sure everyone on your pet care team is certified—is not just an option; it is necessary for the lives of the pets that you care for.

Resources:
Back to Issue