Breathing Stops
Check to see if the animal is choking on a foreign object. If the animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up. Check for a heartbeat by listening at the area where the elbow touches the chest.
If you hear a heartbeat but the animal is still not breathing, close the animal's mouth and breathe directly into its nose-not the mouth!-until the chest expands. Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute.
If there is no pulse, follow the above procedure and also apply heart massage. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest, behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand below the heart to support the chest. Place the other hand over the heart and compress gently. To massage the hearts of smaller dogs, compress the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand. Apply heart massage 80-120 times per minute for larger animals, and 100-150 per minute for smaller ones. Alternate massage with breathing.
About Pet First Aid
This First Aid Guide was developed by the veterinary staff at Dr. Sherry Weaver's Animal Hospital of Towne Lake in Woodstock, GA. Always seek veterinary care following first-aid attempts. Your veterinarian is the best source of information for your pet’s specific needs. This information is provided for general reference and informational purposes only and should not be construed to be formal professional advice or the formation of a consultant-client relationship.
|
