CPR FOR DOGS AND CATS:
CPR is as Easy as A-B-C and it Can Save an Animal’s Life
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is the terminology used to describe stimulation and revival of the cardiac
(heart) and pulmonary (lungs) system. The basics of CPR are Airway, Breathing, and Circulation, in that order -
otherwise known as the ABCs. The only difference in performing CPR on people vs. animals is that people need
to be on their backs for proper CPR techniques, while dogs and cats - because of their deep chests - need to be
lying on their side.
CPR is only to be used on animals that are not breathing or are in cardiac arrest. Never attempt to use CPR on a
conscious or seizing animal. Likewise, never attempt to use CPR on an animal that you know is having breathing
problems because of an obstruction like a toy, bone, or ball caught in its throat. A common example of an airway
obstruction is when a dog catches a flying ball and the ball lodges in the animal’s throat because the ball is too
small. The Heimlich maneuver would be appropriate in this case and can be performed the same as with humans
if the animal is held in a vertical position. You can also lie the animal on its side, place your hands
just below the ribs, and deliver a quick thrust under the ribs towards the head to accomplish the same thing.
For treatment of a dog or cat that is unconscious, the first thing you should do is verify a pulse or heart beat. You
can do this by feeling for a pulse from the femoral artery which can be palpated on both of the inside thighs of the
animal (see photo # 1). You can determine where the heart should be by lying the animal on its side and bringing
its elbow back towards its ribs (see photo #2). The heart normally sits where the elbow reaches back in both the
dog and cat. Place your ear against the chest in this spot and listen for beating sounds or shape your hands
around the animal’s sternum to feel for the heart beating (See photo #3). It is a good idea to try to find the
position of the heart and feel for a pulse and heartbeat on a healthy dog or cat for practice. This will help you
stay calm and increase your confidence during an emergency.
It is always important to remember that although the heart may still be beating, you should not assume the animal
is breathing. The heart can beat for several minutes while breathing has stopped. Watch the animal’s chest. Is it
rising to move air or is it still? If the chest is still, start your ABCs.
Think "A," AIRWAY. Open the animal’s mouth and check to see that the mouth, which leads to the AIRWAY is free
of blood, vomit, dirt or mucus so as not to force any of these into the lungs of the animal during artificial
breathing. If there is blood, vomit or any fluid in the mouth, the animal’s head should be lowered so the fluids can
run out. Wipe the mouth clean of any debris. As you sweep your finger deep into the throat, you may encounter a
hard, smooth bone-like structure, which is actually the Adam’s apple, or hyoid apparatus. Do not pull on this
apparatus. Sometimes correct
positioning of the head and neck is all that is necessary to initiate spontaneous breathing. If there are no signs of
breathing within ten seconds of clearing the airway, proceed with rescue breathing.
Think "B" FOR BREATHING. Extend the animals neck out so the airway is straight as shown in photo #4. You are
now going to BREATH for the animal to supply oxygen to the brain and other organs. This works by using mouth-
to-nose (instead of mouth to mouth) resuscitation. With the animal’s head extended, pull the tongue out so it is
not bunched up in the back of the throat. Close the animal’s mouth placing your mouth over the animal’s nose. If it
is a tiny animal, then you will be covering the animal’s nose and mouth. Cup your hands around the animal’s
muzzle to prevent air from leaking out its lips while you are blowing into the nostrils (see photo #5). The
animal’s chest should rise when you force air into the nostrils. (If the chest does not rise, again, make sure there
is nothing in the throat, including the tongue, blocking the airway.) Depending on the size of the animal, you want
to blow enough air into the animal’s nose to make the chest rise, like a quick sigh, and then release so the lungs
can exhale. Tiny kittens or puppies will take less force and less amount of air to fill their lungs. Therefore, by
watching the chest expand as the lungs fill you can be
careful not to expand the chest further than would seem normal for the animal’s size. The smaller the animal the
more shallow and quick the breaths. The larger the animal the deeper and fuller the breaths. Deliver one breath
every 3 to 5 seconds. If the animal should start to breathe on its own, do not continue artificial respiration. You
should go to your nearest veterinary hospital or emergency clinic to have the animal evaluated. If the animal is
still not breathing, then continue breathing for the animal. Keep checking for a pulse approximately every 30
seconds. If there is no pulse,
you need to start compressions to help the heart circulate the blood throughout the body.
Think "C" for CIRCULATION. If you can not find a pulse, feel or listen for a heartbeat, then you must provide
circulation by compressing the heart while still providing artificial respiration. You have probably seen
compressions being performed on people during television episodes depicting emergencies. Compressions
should take place right over the heart. Again, you can find the heart by bringing the animal’s elbow back towards
the ribs. The heart lies under the ribs in the area where the elbow stops. With tiny animals, puppies or kittens,
you can use your thumb and fingers of one hand to compress the chest. With small to medium animals, place
one hand flat
under the animal’s chest at the heart and your other hand on top of the heart (see photo #6). Always remember
your strength and keep in mind that it is very easy to break ribs while performing compressions. Therefore, press
downward, easy at first, then on the following compressions increase the pressure so the chest squeezes the
heart. Use your best judgement on the amount of pressure you feel you need. It is always difficult to judge
pressure if you are not familiar with compressions. However, if you feel a rib crack, continue the CPR, but use a
substantial decrease in pressure. If
CPR is being performed by one person, there should be 2 breaths followed by 15 compressions continuously. If
there are two people, there should be 1 breath followed by 5 compressions continuously. Again, if the animal
responds and has a heartbeat and is breathing, discontinue CPR. If there is no heartbeat, pulse or respiration,
then do not stop CPR.
For the best chances of survival, try to get the animal to the closest veterinary hospital or emergency clinic while
someone is performing CPR. Once the animal is at the veterinarian’s, the staff will be able to put a tube in the
animal’s airway, and manually force oxygen directly into the airway. Emergency drugs and professional attention
will give the animal the best chances for survival.
Whether the result of automotive collision, electric shock, near-drowning or some other unforeseen catastrophic
event, an animal can suffer respiratory and/or cardiac arrest. If that time comes, it will depend upon a
knowledgeable bystander to perform rescue breathing and/or chest compressions. A swift and sure response
could mean the life or death of the animal. It’s a good idea to keep a first-aid book handy and refer to it
frequently so you will be familiar with its contents should an emergency present itself. Have your emergency
contact numbers posted near the phone. This list should include the number of your veterinary office, the
number of the nearest 24-hour emergency care facility, and the numbers for the National Animal Poison Control
Center, run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, at 1-800-4ANI-HELP. Always
remember CPR starts with being prepared, staying calm and remembering your ABCs.
Julia Gillin is a certified veterinary technician, registered in Colorado and California, and has been in veterinary
medicine for 19 years. After graduating from the Bel-Rea Animal Health Technology School in Denver, she went
to Colorado State University to work with the staff and students in the surgery department at the veterinary
teaching hospital. She has worked with board certified veterinarians in the areas of surgery, oncology, internal
medicine, critical care and general practice for the past ten years. She now works with ACT, Animal Care Training
Programs, where she writes and sells
training videos for shelter and veterinary staff.