It’s a scenario that no pet owner wants to think about, but unfortunately, emergencies can happen. Whether it’s heatstroke on a hot day, an injury, or a sudden collapse, knowing pet first aid can mean the difference between life and death for your furry friend. Despite this, recent figures from the PDSA have revealed that 9 out of 10 pet owners surveyed have never received any pet first aid training, and a staggering 80% don’t own a pet first aid kit.
Thankfully, the PDSA has created a free downloadable guide for pet owners that covers everything from common emergencies like heatstroke and wounds, to more serious conditions like seizures and choking. One of the most crucial aspects of the guide is how to perform CPR on your pet. While most people know the basics of human CPR, a surprising 75% of pet owners surveyed said they wouldn’t know what to do if their pet needed CPR.
Nina Downing, a PDSA vet nurse, shares the charity’s advice on how to give CPR to pets. If your pet collapses, the first step is to make sure that both you and your pet are in a safe area, away from hazards like other animals or traffic. Approach your pet and speak to them to see if they respond. If they’re collapsed but aware or responding to you, they don’t need CPR. However, if they don’t respond or seem unresponsive, call for help right away – it’s often necessary to have two people for CPR. Move your pet to a safe place, if necessary.
Next, remember your ABCs: A for Airway, B for Breathing, and C for Compressions. Firstly, make sure that your pet’s airway is clear by carefully pulling their tongue forward. However, be cautious around the mouth area, as sudden movements can cause a pet to bite. If your pet reacts or tries to resist you, they probably don’t need CPR. But be sure to call your vet and let them know that your pet has collapsed but isn’t unconscious. If something is blocking the airway, gently try to remove it, taking care not to push any obstruction further down the throat or be bitten.
Check for breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for breaths coming from the nostrils or mouth. If your pet isn’t breathing, it’s essential to check for a heartbeat. Place your hand or ear on the left side of your pet’s chest, where the elbow meets the ribcage. Can you feel or hear a heartbeat? If you are sure there is no heartbeat, it’s time to start CPR.
To perform CPR, place your pet on their right side on a firm, flat surface. For dogs with barrel-shaped chests, they need to be lying on their backs with compressions done at the midpoint of the chest. For cats and small dogs, use one hand to compress the chest from both sides while they’re lying on their side. For larger dogs, use both hands interlocked. Perform two chest compressions per second at the widest part of the chest. (Remember the song ‘Staying Alive’ – doing it to this beat is about right.) Each compression should depress the chest by one-third to a half. The chest should be allowed to return to the normal position after each compression. Keep your arms straight, and if someone is with you, swap regularly as the process is very tiring.
After 30 compressions, extend your pet’s neck, close their mouth, place your thumb, and forefinger in a circle around the outside of their nostrils to make an airtight seal, and blow through your fingers and down their nose. Watch for the rise of the chest and allow it to fall again before giving a second breath. Check for a heartbeat. If your pet still has no heartbeat and isn’t breathing, repeat the process – giving thirty compressions and two breaths. Continue CPR, checking for the return of a heartbeat and breaths every two minutes while getting advice from your vet.
However, it’s important to know that CPR isn’t always appropriate or successful for pets. Pets with underlying illnesses or diseases are unlikely to recover, even if given CPR. However, CPR can and does save lives in some situations – for example, if a healthy pet’s heart has stopped due to a specific cause, like drowning or choking.
Nina recommends that pet owners attend a veterinary-led first aid course to learn how to deliver CPR safely. However, for those who can’t attend a course, the PDSA’s free downloadable guide is a great resource.
Remember, knowing pet first aid could make all the difference in an emergency. However, it’s not just about knowing what to do in an emergency. Being aware of your pet’s health and taking preventative measures to keep them healthy can reduce the likelihood of an emergency happening in the first place. Regular check-ups at the vet, a healthy diet, and staying up-to-date with vaccinations can all help to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.
