CPR for your Pet

How To Perform CPR On Your Pet 

Pet owners need to learn how to do CPR or the Heimlich maneuver when their pet chokes on something foreign. Usually this should be done when you notice that your pet has swollen something foreign and is having breathing trouble. Most often, pets may swallow a toy accidentally or choke when eating their food.

Stay calm and don’t panic

When your cat or dog is suffocating, there’s no need for you to panic. First approach the pet carefully and restrain it. But never muzzle your dog. The first thing you need to do is to check whether you can remove the object with the fingers. 

Thereafter, use two fingers to open the pet’s mouth and try to remove the stuck object. You can use a spoon so that you can push the stuck object within reach. But if you are unable to remove the object with your fingers, then slowly pick the pet up and gently swing it sideways. Apply small pressure on the abdomen and focus on the ribcage. 

If the situation doesn’t improve, then you need to perform CPR or the Heimlich maneuver – an effective procedure designed for larger pets.

Steps on how to do a CPR on a large pet 

• When the pet is standing upright, place the arms around the belly to make a fist-like motion. Push up your hands forward just beneath the pet’s ribcage.
• But if the dog is sleeping down, place your hand on the back and then use your other hand to tightly squeeze it’s abdomen upward.
• Remove all loose object around your pet’s mouth carefully to avoid causing further injuries.
• To ensure your pet’s throat is not harmed in the process, you should visit the vet after performing CPR.

Sometimes difficulty breathing and serious chocking can require you to perform CPR for your pet, which often entails the use of artificial respiration and chest compressions. However, CPR should only be done when you cannot hear or feel the pet’s heartbeat or when it is unconscious.

As a suggestion, it is important to have an emergency first aid kit at home. This should be quite useful to address any pet related injuries. Additionally, you should invest in a muzzle and small leash to restrain the pet in such a scenario.

Conclusion

While you might do anything to prevent your pets from swallowing foreign objects, it is unavoidable to have accidents. And if you are unable to perform CPR for your pet, visit the vet immediately to avoid serious injury.

References: Modern Dog Magazine, Pdsa, Vetwest