Dog Owner's Manual › Chapter 9: Emergency Care For Your Dog › Artificial Respiration and CPR for Dogs ›

Artifical Respiration for Dogs

1. Inspect the airway for obstructions. Lay the dog on its side, tilt its head slightly back, pull the tongue out of the way, and use your fingers to feel for and remove obstructions. Perform the Heimlich maneuver if necessary. (See The Heimlich Maneuver.) If clearing the obstruction does not reinstate normal respiration, proceed to the next step.
2. Be sure the dog’s neck is straight. For medium to large dogs, place your hand around the muzzle, hold it closed, and place your mouth around its nose. For smaller dogs (under 30 pounds), your mouth should cover the dog’s nose and lips (Fig. A).
3. Give four or five quick, forceful breaths.
4. Check for response. If normal breathing resumes, stop. If not, or if breathing is shallow, resume CPR. Give 20 breaths per minute for small dogs, or 20 to 30 breaths per minute for medium and large dogs.
5. Check for heartbeat by placing your hand on the left side of the dog’s chest. If none is detected, begin compressions along with rescue breathing.
6. For most dogs, compressions can be performed while the animal lies on its side (Fig. B). The back is better for barrel-chested canines such as bulldogs. Whatever the approach, be sure the dog is on firm ground. Compressions will not be effective on a soft surface.
7. For small dogs, place your palm and fingertips over the ribs at the point where the elbow meets the chest. Kneel down next to the dog, then compress the chest approximately 1 inch, twice per second. Alternate every five compressions with one breath. After 1 minute, check for heartbeat. If none is found, continue.
8. For medium to large dogs, kneel down next to the canine, extend your elbows, and cup your hands on top of each other. Place hands over the ribs at the point where the dog’s elbows meet the chest, then compress it 2 to 3 inches, one-and-a-half to two times per second. Alternate every five compressions with one breath. After 1 minute, check for heartbeat. If you find none, continue.
9. For very large dogs (over 100 pounds or 45 kg), compress the chest 2 to 3 inches once per second, alternating every 10 compressions with breath. After 1 minute, check for heartbeat. If you find none, continue.

CAUTION: The chances of reviving a canine with CPR are minimal. After 20 minutes of CPR, it is unlikely that the animal will be revived, even with professional intervention.

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