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CPR  
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Dogs and Cats is a combination of chest compressions and artificial respiration.  

This should only be attempted when you cannot feel or hear your pets heartbeat.  

If a pet stops breathing, their heart will go into cardiac arrest and cease beating. If a pet stops breathing for more than 3-5 minutes, the chance of survival is slim.  Without oxygen, the brain will suffer catastrophic damage.    


Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation can itself be hazardous and cause the patient complications (punctured lungs, broken ribs etc).  If the patient survives the cardiac arrest, they may still pass away due to fatal complications of CPR.    
Never practice the act of performing CPR on a healthy animal.   


  • If your pet is not breathing but has a heartbeat (you can feel or hear it), then you only need to perform Artificial Respiration (mouth to nose).      
  •  If your pet is not breathing and you cannot feel or hear a heartbeat, you need to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation this is a combination of cardiac massage and artificial respiration.     


How to check for respiration (breathing) and heartbeat.   


Checking for respiration (breathing) ·         
  • Lay your pet on their right hand side and watch for 15 seconds to see if the chest rises ·         
  • Place a small piece of hair (use your own) in front of their nose and look for movement ·         
  • Use a mirror (if you have one) in front of their nose – look for condensation 


Checking for a heartbeat ·         
  • Your pet should already be laying on its right hand side, tuck their left foreleg up into their body; where the elbow touches the chest wall is where you should place your hand (or ear) to feel (hear) for a heartbeat. ·         
  • You can also check for a pulse: press the fingertips of your index, middle and ring finger into the crease where the inside of his thigh meets the body and feel for a pulse of the femoral artery. 


Artificial Respiration
  • Use when your pet is not breathing
  • Check and remove any obvious obstructions (balls, toys, vomit, bones) in the mouth and throat.
  • Extend the pets neck, so that it’s nose is in line with its body
  • Pull the tongue gently out of the mouth as far as it will go (this helps to open and clear the airway)
  • Now hold the pet’s mouth closed with the tongue just through the front teeth – take care not to injure the tongue by clamping the jaws too firmly.
  • Cup your hands around the nose and lips creating a tight seal.  
  • Gently blow into the nostrils – watch your pets chest – look for rising of the chest
  • Give 2 large breaths for 2 seconds each, then blow every 5 seconds for 1 second – repeat 12 times (1 minute) 
  • Check for a respiration (breathing) and a heartbeat 
  • If not breathing, but has a heartbeat, continue 1 breath every 5 seconds.  Check for a pulse every 15 seconds
  • If possible transport to vet immediately and continue artificial respiration on your way.
  • If not breathing, and now has no heartbeat, move on to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.


 

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (using one person)

·         Begin CPR when your pet is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat

For cats & small dogs under 15kg
  • Lay your pet on their right hand side.  
  • Gently extend the head and neck in a straight line (nose lines up with back)
  • Place your left hand on your pet’s back (above the shoulder area).
  • Place your right hand under your pet with your right thumb placed over the left hand (uppermost) side of your pet where their elbow meets their chest (heart located here). 
  • Use your thumb to squeeze the chest wall over the heart to simulate cardiac activity.
  • Squeeze 80-120 times per minute. You can squeeze to the beat of “Stayin’ alive by the Bee Gees”.
  • If there is only one person present then do not attempt to perform artificial respiration at the same time. The priority is to continue cardiac compressions; his will give your pet a better chance of survival. 
  • Regularly check the pet for a heartbeat; if a heartbeat is present stop with the cardiac compressions and check to see if the pet is breathing. 
  • If your pet is not breathing, but a heartbeat is present, start artificial respiration as described previously. 
  • Transport to a vet immediately, if you have a driver continue CPR during transit. 

 
For Large Pets >15kg

  • Lay your pet on their right hand side.  
  • Gently extend the head and neck in a straight line (nose lines up with back)
  • Kneel behind your pet and brace their back against your knees
  • Place your hands over the location of your pets heart (where their elbow meets the chest).  One hand should be placed on top of the other hand.  Use your palm to provide even pressure to the chest.
  • Start chest compressions to simulate cardiac activity.
  • Aim for 80-120 times per minute. You can do your compressions to the beat of “Stayin’ alive by the Bee Gees”.
  • If there is only one person present then do not attempt to perform artificial respiration at the same time. The priority is to continue cardiac compressions; this will give your pet a better chance of survival. 
  • Regularly check the pet for a heartbeat; if a heartbeat is present stop with the cardiac compressions and check to see if your pet is breathing. 
  • If your pet is not breathing, but a heartbeat is present, start artificial respiration as described previously. 
  • Transport to a vet immediately, if you have a driver continue CPR during transit. 


Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (using two people)

  • Use only if your pet is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat
  • Combine artificial respiration with CPR as instructed above.
  • DON’T STOP Cardiac compressions to administer breaths.
  • Administer 80-120 cardiac compressions/minute (1.5-2/second) and 1 breath every 5 seconds.
  • Transport to a vet immediately, if you have a driver continue CPR while in transit.


References

1.    Aecvets.com.au. 2014. Pet Health - Information Sheets. [online] Available at: <http://www.aecvets.com.au/Pet-Health/Information-sheets.aspx> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].

2.    Aspinall, V., 2006.The complete textbook of veterinary nursing. 1st ed. Edinburgh; Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier

3.    Battaglia, A., 2001. Small animal emergency and critical care. 1st ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

4.    Cooper, B., Turner, L. and Mullineaux, E., 2011. The BSAVA textbook of veterinary nursing. 1st ed. Gloucester [England]: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

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