Take Time To Learn Dog/Puppy CPR

[laurlitt]

Last Sunday we had a very scary thing happen to us. Maddie (12 weeks) who was acting like a typical puppy, out of the blue began to choke and panic. We could not clear her airway and next thing you know she stopped breathing. My husband and I rushed off to the ER Vet while I held her lifeless body. I began compressions on her chest which luckily got her breathing again. Blood came out of her mouth and nose. We are VERY lucky to have a happy ending. She spent 2 days at the vet and is home with us again ripping and roaring thru the yard and house like nothing happened. We did not know how to perform the heimlic on a puppy, nor do I think I did the chest compressions properly (but it worked)... so I'm hoping everyone will take the time to read up on dog/puppy CPR or attend a class if available... I know I will (but hopefully I'll never have to go thru that again...).

[moondog]

Oh boy, that must have scared the life out of you ! I'm glad it all worked out and Maddie is back to puppy mode :D , but boy, what a close call!

Here are the instructions I have for CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver on small animals. I hope everyone will print it out and put it on the fridge ;) :

First of all.....and this might seem silly to say, but having taught human CPR to scuba divers I discovered some people haven't thought about this....if an animal is breathing, their heart is beating. If they are not breathing, the heart may or may not still be beating. Everyone should have the vet show you how and where to find your dog's pulse. If it is not clear from these instruction where your hands should be placed, have the vet show you.

CHOKING

Foreign Objects In Mouth
Signs: pawing at mouth, gagging, drooling.
First Aid:
1. Force mouth open and inspect.
2. If pet is cooperative and foreign object can be seen, grasp with needlenose pliers and remove.
3. Seek veterinary assistance if needed.

Foreign Objects Or Swelling In Throat Or Trachea (windpipe)
Signs: difficult breathing, bluish color to lips and gums; collapse.
First Aid:
1. Force mouth open, pull tongue forward and check throat.
2. If foreign object can be seen, grasp with pliers and remove.
3. If foreign object remains lodged, the following may be attempted:
In small dogs: Hold the animal with the head down and hind quarters
elevated. Give 3-4 sharp taps to the chest.
In large dogs: A version of the Heimlich Maneuver can be attempted. Stand over the dog with arms around the body, just behind the last ribs. Make a fist with one hand and place against body wall, thumb side up. Grasp fist with other hand and exert a quick, forward and upward thrust. Repeat 2 or 3 times.
4. Give artificial respiration.
5. If animal has collapsed, pull and hold tongue forward while attempting steps 1 to 3.
6. Seek emergency veterinary treatment.

Foreign Objects In Esophagus
Signs: frequent attempts to swallow; attempts to extend head and neck; attempts to vomit; avoidance of food and water. Coughing is not usually a sign.
First Aid:
1. DO NOT force any food or water.
2. Seek emergency veterinary treatment.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

When to use: cessation of breathing, drowning, electrical shock.
Technique:
1. Clear mouth of any foreign material or vomitus.
2. Clamp animal's muzzle closed with hands.
3. Exhale into animal's nose at a rate of 12-15 breaths per minute.

Note: Artificial respiration should usually be combined with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)

When to use: same as for Artificial Respiration if no pulse is found.
Technique: Two Person Method
1. Lay animal on its side on a flat surface.
2. One person should give mouth-to-nose respiration.
3. The other person should kneel along the spinal column at the level of the shoulder. Place the heel of your hands just above and behind the elbow.
In large dogs: compress chest wall 1-2 inches at a rate of 60-80 times per minute (5 times per breath).
In small dogs and cats: use fingertips and compress chest wall 1/2-3/4 inch at 60-80 times per minute (also 5 times per breath).
4. Seek emergency veterinary assistance.

Technique: One Person Method
1. Lay animal on its side on a flat surface.
2. Hold muzzle closed with one hand and begin artificial respiration (as described above).
3. Place heel of other hand on the chest wall behind the shoulder to apply cardiac massage. Compress chest wall rhythmically at a rate of 60-80 times per minute.
For small dogs and cats, place the fingers under the chest wall. Place thumb over the chest and compress chest from both sides.
4. Seek emergency veterinary assistance.

Practice on a pillow, no matter how silly it may look :D , so you will be familiar with how it feels to do. There is so much happening in a real emergency and nerves get so frazzled that it's easy to forget everything. It reallys helps to know the steps beforehand and use the info sheet to remind you. :)

[laurlitt]

Thanks Moondog,
Sure wish you were around when this all happened!!! I hope that everyone will read what you've posted and print it out.

Your neighbor in the valley!

[rottnkidd]

Laurie - I am SO happy to hear this story had a happy ending!
And I couldn't agree with you more...I think everyone should know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, and KNOW what to do in a life-threatening emergency. Veterinary attention is essential, however, having some basic info on what to do immediately, could be a life-saver. There's no time to be getting online for info when time is of the essence! I'd strongly suggest that everyone visit these sites, print out the info, read it, and post it somewhere easily accessible, in the event of an emergency.
http://www.dogstarr.com/choking.htm
http://www.healthypet.com/Library/petcare-36.html

There are numerous sites online with first aid info. These are
just a couple that I had on hand.
kathy

[rottnkidd]

moondog - I'm sorry! I was busy reading my suggested printouts and didn't know you posted your info. Thanks so much! I hope
the members here read it, print it out and keep it an an easy-to-find place!
kathy

[LORHEL]

Great website, thanks for the info, and I am so glad to hear that you were able to help Maddie. That must have been so scary.

[Courtney]

My cousin experienced the same tragedy of her newborn rottie puppy not breathing because the mother had smuthered her. She quickly picked up the pup and began CPR and the revived the her. Every since her and the pup has had and unbreakable bond.

Thanks Moondog i'm glad you posted the info because i was afraid i wouldn't know what to do if something like that ever happened to me.

[moondog]

rottnkid - Not a problem, I do that all the time :D ! You can't see new posts when you're composing and besides, the more the better. The illustrations on the dogstar site can really help everyone see hand placements and positions.

laurlitt - Howdy, neighbor :) ! I'm one of those people that's really good in an emergency and then afterwards I collapse in a heap, wondering how in the world I did it. Where in the valley are you?

Courtney - I learned all this stuff for exactly the reason you stated. Initially it was for people, because I spent lots of time teaching horseback riding and scuba diving. If disaster ever struck on my watch, I would feel horrible if I was helpless to provide some assistance. Now I've also learned for Luna. :)

[spoteet]

I have signed up for an animal emergency class that the Red Cross offers. It teaches CPR and other emergencies techniques. It's a 3 hour class and cost $20.00.

[rottnkidd]

spoteet - Excellent! I'm sure many others will follow your lead. The $20 will be well spent, and is minimal when you think of the invaluable lessons to be learned. Good for you!
kathy

[laurlitt]

Thanks everyone for the info.... It was definetly a scary incident. I was very calm while it happened, but later I thought how I should have freaked out or something.

Moondog... I am in Van Nuys/Northridge area.