DogExpress
CPR is known as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure that can save your dog’s life if they suddenly stop breathing or their heart suddenly stops beating.
CPR is a combination of chest compression and artificial respiration. When a dog stop breathing, the oxygen level in the body falls down which can lead to liver, kidney failure, or brain damage.
The brain damage usually occurs within 3-4 minutes of respiratory failure, so it is vital to perform CPR in a crucial situation like this.
How to Perform CPR
1. Check breathing and pulse:
Check for a pulse using your middle and index finger below the wrist or inner thigh or below the ankle or where the left elbow touches the chest of the dog.
2. Keep an eye for these warning signs (due to lack of oxygen):
Gums and lips will appear grey
Pupils will be dilated
3. If no pulse, start compression:
Lay your dog on the right and place hands over the ribs where their elbow touches the chest. Begin compression (do not start compression if your dog has a pulse, contact the vet immediately or rush them to a nearby vet).
4. If your dog isn’t breathing then give mouth-to-mouth:
For Small Dogs: Place your mouth over their nose and mouth and blow air in.
For Medium and large size dogs: Place your mouth over the nose and blow air in.
5. Repeat procedure:
- Check pulse after 1 minute and continue checking for every few minutes for consciousness or progress in the condition. (If you don’t see any change for 10 minutes then rush them to a nearby vet or animal hospital)
- Continue giving CPR until your dog has a pulse or starts to breathe normally.
- After 10 minutes if there is no change then stop doing it. (Contact your vet for further instructions or rush them to a nearby medic)
Animal Size |
Compress Chest |
Compression per breath |
| Under 30 lbs. | ½-1 inch | 5 |
| 30-90 lbs. | 1-3 inches | 5 |
| Over 90 lbs. | 1-3 inches | 10 |
Learn how to perform CPR by watching this video or you can contact your vet to teach you the steps to perform CPR perfectly!
Video via YouTube
in Chandigarh, India. 
