Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest

Signs/Symptoms

1. Animal is not breathing (no movement of the chest). If possible, place a mirror in front of the nose to check for condensation.
2. No heartbeat. (Feel the lower part of the chest behind the elbow).
3. Gums are blue/grey or pale/white. (Note: It is best if you check the color of yoiur pet's gums when it is healthy to have a good frame of reference for this. They should be pink. They should blanch to white when you press on them, then quickly return to pink when you release.)

Treatment: CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation):

1. Just as in human CPR, evaluate and attend to the A-B-C's.

A = Airway. Clear the airway of dirt, vomit, foreign objects, etc. Pull the tongue forward and "sweep" the mouth using your fingers. Remove any foreign objects with your fingers, tweezers or pliers, if appropriate. Do this only if the animal is unconscious and you are sure you will not be bitten!

B = Breathing. Check for breathing. Is the chest moving? Do you feel air moving through the nostrils? Is the animal struggling to breathe? Are the gums pink (good) or bluish/gray or pale/white (bad)?

IF THE ANIMAL IS BREATHING, DO NOT GIVE CPR.

If the animal is struggling to breathe, check the air passage (and clear if possible) to assure a clear airway.
If not breathing, begin Mouth-to-Nose Resuscitation:
1) With the dog lying on its side, extend the head and neck.
2) Be sure the airway is clear and pull the tongue forward.
3) Grasp the muzzle, hod it closed and place your mouth over the animal's nose (for cats and small dogs, cover both the nose and mouth).
4) Blow air into the nose for 2-3 seconds, making sure the chest is rising.
5) Pause for 3 seconds, then repeat until the animal begins to breathe on its own.

C = Cardiovascular. During Mouth-to-Nose Resuscitation, continue to evaluate for a beating heart and check the gums to see if they are pink. Do the gums blanch to white whenu press on them and then quickly return to pink, or are they blue/gray or pale/white? Feel for a heartbeat at the lower part of the chest just behind the elbow. Place your ear on the chest and listen for a beating heart. If no heartbeat is detectable, Cardiac massage must be started in addition to the mouth-to-nose resuscitation.

1) Place the animal with its left side up if possible, unless it appears that doing so would cause further injury.
2) Place the heel of your hand just behind the animal's elbow and place your other hand on top.
3) Press down firmly; do not be afraid to press hard. You have to get the blood moving!
4) Alternate mouth-to-nose resuscitation with Cardiac Massage as follows:

· Small dog or cat (0-25 lbs.): give 1 breath, then 3 cardiac massage, then repeat.

· Medium dog (25-50 lbs.): Give 1 breath, then 5 cardiac massages, then repeat.

· Large dog (over 50 lbs.): Give 2 breaths, then 10-15 cardiac massages, then repeat.

BE AGGRESSIVE. KEEP DOING THIS FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE GIVING UP!

Transport the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible (See Moving an Injured Dog, Moving an Injured Cat). Do this even if you feel your CPR efforts have been unsucessful. NEVER assume that nothing further can be done.