There is no doubt that we love our pets and would do anything to keep them healthy & happy. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, they estimate that approximately 57% of United States households have animals and over 63% of these households consider their pets family members. Our fur babies can have medical emergencies too. Would you know how to perform CPR on your pet? We have outlined some steps below to help if your pet needs CPR.

1. Check the airway – Is it clear? Open the animal’s mouth and check for any obstruction. Remove anything that could be blocking the airway.
2. Tilt the head and give several breaths. For large dogs, it is recommended that you close the jaw and breathe into the nose. Watch to make sure the animal’s chest rises and give 2 breaths. For smaller dogs or cats you may be able to cup or cover the nose and mouth together as you provide the 2 breaths. Again, watch for the chest to rise.
3. Chest compressions are next! For large dogs try to position the dog on his back and perform chest compressions just as you would for a human. For smaller dogs and cats, the animals should be on their side and focus your compressions on the rib cage area. The rate of compressions will depend on the size of the dog or cat.

 

• If your dog weighs more than 60 lbs. use 60 compressions per minute
• Any animal between 11-60 lbs. use 80-100 compressions per minute
• Animals that are less than 10lbs use 120 compression per minute

 

4. Don’t forget to alternate breaths with compressions! Use the same rate of compressions to breaths as humans, which is 30:2.
5. Continue to perform CPR on your animal until you get a response or until they begin breathing on their own.

Every animal lover should be familiar with these steps. Actually these are skills everyone needs. CPR Choice is passionate about equipping you with the skills need to help save a life! Visit the CPR Training Calendar today and sign up for a class- knoxvillecpr.com and tricitiescpr.com. Remember the life you save, could be a family member or close friend.

Sources: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/Market-research-statistics-US-pet-ownership.aspx