If your dog becomes unconscious, respiratory arrest may occur, and usually occurs before cardiac arrest. The heart may continue to beat for several minutes after the breathing stops. Artificial respiration, or rescue breathing, must begin immediately to save your dog's life. If the heart stops, chest compressions must be given right away to keep the blood pumping. Artificial respiration and chest compressions given together are called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.
How to Give Your Dog Artificial Respiration
If your dog has gone into respiratory arrest (stopped breathing), begin artificial respiration immediately. The first step in artificial respiration is to lay your dog on his side on a flat surface and to be sure your dog has stopped breathing. Watch for the rise and fall of the chest, feel for breath on your hand, and lift your dog's lip to look at his gums. The gums will turn blue from lack of oxygen if he's not breathing.
Next, check your pet's airway - it must be clear. Extend his head and neck. Open his mouth and look in the back of the throat for a foreign object. If an object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward. If this does not dislodge the object, use your fingers, pliers, or tongs to grasp the object. If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, use the Heimlich maneuver. Once the airway is clear, you can begin rescue breathing.
With your dog on his side, lift his chin to straighten out his throat. Use one hand to grasp the muzzle and hold the mouth shut. Put your mouth completely over his nose and blow gently; the chest should expand. Blow just enough to move his chest (blow harder for large dogs, gently for small dogs). Wait for the air to leave the lungs before breathing again. Continue this, giving 10 breaths per minute (one breath every six seconds), until your dog breathes on his own or as long as the heart beats.
Be sure to monitor the heartbeat (this is easier to do if someone else is there to help you).
How to Give Your Dog CPR
If your dog's heart has stopped beating, CPR must begin immediately. It is best to have two people performing CPR - one continues artificial respiration while the other does chest compressions. Follow the instructions for artificial respiration, alternating with chest compressions. For two people performing CPR, alternate 30 chest compressions with 2 breaths.
For Small Dogs (Under 30 Pounds)
Lay your dog on his side on a flat surface. Place the palm of your hand on the rib cage directly over the heart. Place your other hand on top of the first. For puppies, put your thumb on one side of the chest and the rest of your fingers on the other side. Compress the chest about one inch. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Continue CPR until your dog breathes on his own and has a steady heartbeat.
For Medium & Large Dogs (Over 30 Pounds)
Lay your dog on his side on a flat surface. Place one hand on top of the other over the widest portion of the rib cage, not over the heart. Keeping your arms straight with one hand on top of the other, push down on the rib cage. Compress the chest 1/3 to 1/2 of its width. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Continue CPR until your dog breathes on his own and has a steady heartbeat.
Hopefully your dog will never need cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In the event that he does, knowing how to correctly perform rescue breathing as well as chest compressions can save your dog's life in an emergency.