CPR and First Aid for Dogs
Adapted from presentation by
Laura Cuthbert
2009 Mid-Atlantic ABC Regional
October 6, 2009
Frederick, MD
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club
2/28/2010
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Normal Values
Respiration (breaths/min)
Young dogs 20-25
Adult dogs 10-20
Up to 200 pants /min
Pulse rate (bpm)
Puppy 120-160
Medium to large dog (>30 lbs)
60-100
Small breed adult 100-160
Temperature (rectal)
101-102 degrees F
Capillary refill time
Less than 1 second
Mucous membrane color
Generally pink
Know your dog so you can recognize
when something is wrong.
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
2
Survey of an Emergency Victim
Inspect the area. Observe the animal’s body, posture, presence of blood,
feces or vomit, sounds and other materials (poisons) around the victim.
Is the area safe?
Inspect the animal. Assess the following:
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Is there an open airway?
Is the animal breathing?
Is there a heartbeat/ pulse?
Mucous membrane color (upper or lower lip and gums). Normal color is pink
Capillary refill time - after checking color press lightly on the gums. Observe
the color change from white to pink again. The pink should return after 1 to 2
seconds. Less than 1 second or more than 3 seconds is an emergency.
 Is the animal bleeding?
 Is the animal alert, awake, seizing, disoriented, hyperactive, depressed or
unconscious?
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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Rescue Breathing
Objective – to establish an unobstructed airway and get air into the lungs
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Check for breathing.
Lay the animal on its right side.
Gently tilt the head back to extend the neck and head to open airway.
Pull the tongue between the front teeth.
Check for foreign material or vomit in the animal’s mouth. Remove with your
finger if necessary.
If no signs of breathing, seal mouth & lips by placing your hands around the
lips and gently hold the muzzle closed.
Place your mouth over the animal’s nose and exhale. The chest should
expand and fall if air is reaching the lungs.
Give 4 to 5 breaths forcefully to see if the animal will begin breathing on its
own. (Do not breathe too hard for small dogs.)
Rescue breathing should be 8-10 breathes per minute for larger dogs and 2030 for small dogs (under 30 lbs).
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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CPR for Small Dogs and Cats
When: Dog will be unconscious with no movement or breathing
Objective: To get blood flow to get oxygen to the brain
Remember ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Cardiac Compression
 Make sure that the animal is on it’s right side.
 Kneel next to your pet with the animal’s chest facing you.
 Place the palm of 1 hand over the ribs at the point where the elbow touches
the chest. Place the other hand under the right side of the animal.
 Compress the chest ½ to 1 inch (elbows should be softly locked)
 Start with 10 quick compressions and check for consciousness
 Do 5 compressions for each breath, if working alone, then check for breath.
 If there are 2 people, one person does the breathing and one does the
compressions at 2 or 3 compressions for each breath.
 Once dog is conscious, transport to vet immediately
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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CPR for Medium to Large Dogs
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Place the animal on it’s right side with the animal’s back facing you
Extend your arms at the elbows
Cup your hands over each other
Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow touches the chest when
pulled back to the chest
Compress the chest 1 to 3 inches
If working alone, do 5 compressions to 1 breath and check pulse.
If there are two people, one person does the breathing while the other does
the compressions at 2 or 3 for each breath.
Once dog is conscious, transport to vet immediately
For Giant Dogs (over 90 pounds): Use the technique above, but do 10 compressions for
each breath if alone, and 6 compressions to each breath if there are two people.
If you don’t remember the numbers, remember this:
Anything is better than nothing!
If you are alone and cannot do both breathing and compression:
Do cardiac compression!
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
6
Shock
Shock is the result of poor circulation and can be life-threatening. Common causes
are trauma, major blood loss, burns, snake bites, poisons or severe vomiting and
diarrhea (dehydration)
Symptoms:
 Early stage: increased heart rate, pounding pulse, rapid breathing, capillary
refill time 1 or 2 seconds, pale gums, temperature may be low or in the case of
septic shock may be elevated
 Middle Stage: low body temperature (cool limbs), weak pulse, prolonged
capillary refill time, increased heart rate, depressed mental state
 End Stage: slow respiratory rate, slow heart rate, depressed mental state or
unconsciousness, prolonged capillary refill time, white gums, weak or absent
pulse
 CARDIAC ARREST MAY SOON FOLLOW
FIRST AID:
 Control bleeding
 Warm the animal using a thermal blanket
 Elevate hind end slightly (not if you suspect a broken back or neck)
 Keep dog quiet and calm to prevent more injury (dog may be in pain or fear)
 Transport to vet immediately
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
7
Wounds and Bleeding
Abrasions / small cuts - minor bleeding
 Treat by cleaning with water and antibacterial solution or scrub (any soap helps) to reduce
chance of infection
 Do not use hydrogen peroxide
Lacerations - Major bleeding – can be life-threatening or require suturing by vet
• First principle is to CONTROL the bleeding
 Apply direct pressure with a clean piece of material
 Elevate area if possible
 If blood is spurting, hold area just above the wound
 If blood is flowing heavily, hold area just below the wound
 Apply a pressure bandage to constrict blood flow – wrap tight enough to stay on, but not
too tight
 If working on a limb, check repeatedly for swelling of the toes and temperature of the toes
• If none of the above works – apply pressure at the pressure points:
 Front Limbs: Pressure point is 3 fingers into the armpit on the side of the bleeding limb
 Back Limbs: Pressure point is 3 fingers into the inner thigh on the side of the bleeding limb
 Head: Pressure point is 3 fingers at the base of the lower jaw (below the ear) on the same side
as the bleeding
 Neck: Pressure point is 3 fingers in the groove next to the wind pipe on the side where the
bleeding is occuring
 Release pressure slightly every 10 minutes to check if the bleeding has stopped.
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
8
Choking
Symptoms:
 Animal stops breathing
 Struggling or gasping to breathe
 Loud breathing sounds
 Anxiousness
 Gums may be blue or white
 History of chewing/playing with objects such as rawhide/balls.
FIRST AID:
 Open mouth and sweep from side to side to dislodge object
 Pull tongue forward and remove object
 If animal is small enough, lift and suspend by the hips with head hanging down
 If animal is too large, hold animal’s rear legs in the air so their head hangs down
IF THE OBJECT DOES NOT COME OUT
 Have the animal either stand or lie down
 Place your arms around the animal’s waist
 Close your hands together to make a fist & place your fist behind the last rib
 Compress the abdomen be pushing up 5 times in quick thrusts
 Perform rescue breathing for 5 breaths
 If this fails give a sharp blow with the flat of your hand between the shoulder blades and
repeat
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
9
Fractures (or suspected fractures)
Symptoms:
 Pain
 Swelling, deformity, dislocation, visible or suspected bone fracture
 Limping or loss of use of a limb
FIRST AID:
 If part of a traumatic accident, address bleeding and shock first
 Cover an open fracture with clean dressing (do not push a bone back through
the skin)
 Do not reduce a dislocation – treat is as a fracture
 For lower limb fracture, immobilize joints above and below the knee (stifle) or
elbow using an external temporary splint (roll cotton wrap, cotton padding,
elastic gauze wrap / tape)
 Transport to vet ASAP
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
10
Stings / Bites
Stings – spiders, bees/wasps
Symptoms:
 Pain, swelling, redness, rash
 Pawing at face, snapping in the air (often stung on the face)
FIRST AID:
 Remove stinger if visible (can use credit card to scrap if off)
 Use cool compress to ease sting
 Administer oral Benadryl (diphenhydramine) (one to two 25mg capsules
depending on size of the dog)
 For persistent swelling or any sign of breathing difficulty, take to vet
Bites – snake, wild animal
Symptoms: (depends on how long after the incident occurred)
 Pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
 Salivating and thirsty
 Swelling at site
 Shock
FIRST AID:
 Take immediately to the vet
 Keep bite area immobile and keep below the heart level
 Keep animal calm and confined while transporting
 If possible, identify the snake species to assist in treatment options
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
11
Heat Exhaustion / Stroke
Heat Exhaustion – early stage of heat exposure
Symptoms:
 Fatigue, excessive panting, dehydration, shaking, red gums
FIRST AID:
 Move dog to shade and rest
 Offer small amounts of water
Heat Stroke – a result of excessive heat exposure
Symptoms:
 Excessive panting, temperature > 105-106 degrees F
 Disorientation, weakness
 Rapid pulse & breathing
 Dark red mucous membranes
FIRST AID:
 Move dog to shade and immerse in cool water (not ice water)
 Slowly cool body – can use ice wrapped in cloth under armpits, in groin
area, around head and neck
 Transport to vet immediately
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
12
Poisoning
Who gets poisoned?
 Active, inquisitive, unsupervised pets, especially puppies.
 Pets kept in garages, kitchens, and bathrooms are at greatest risk. Most poisons are
swallowed.
Common Causes:
 Household cleaners
 Pesticides, rodenticides, herbicides, fertilizers
 Antifreeze
 Kitchen items (Raw salmon, chocolate, onions, onion powder, garlic, coffee, tea, yeast
dough, salt, avocados, alcohol, macadamia nuts, grape skins, raisins, spoiled foods)
 Chocolate – including cocoa bean mulch
 Xylitol (sugar substitute found in chewing gum)
 Plants (holly, ivy, poinsettia, iris, lily, China berry, pokeweed, and many more)
 Household items (human medications, button batteries, pennies, fabric softener sheets,
mothballs)
Symptoms: depends on the type and how much exposure of the poison occurred
 Topical – rash, skin irritation
 Gastrointestinal – vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain
 Bleeding and anemia (especially from rodenticides)– bruising, nosebleeds, bloody stools
 Neurological – seizures
 Heart symptoms (plants like oleander, jimson weed, kalanchoe)– irregular heart rhythm
 Kidney symptoms (antifreeze, Easter lily, philodendron, dieffenbachia) – inability to produce
urine
 Liver symptoms (medications including acetaminophen and selected plants) – liver damage
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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Poisoning
National Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-426-4435
First Step: Call your vet or the Poison Control Center
FIRST AID for Topical Poisons:
 Unless the substance is caustic (lime), wash the animal with large volumes of water and
baby shampoo…..rinse, rinse, rinse
 If the poison is petroleum based, use DAWN dish washing liquid.
 If the poison is a powder, use a vacuum to remove it.
FIRST AID for Inhaled Poisons: Gases (carbon monoxide)
 Get the animal to fresh air but do not risk yourself
 Provide rescue breathing and be alert for signs of shock
FIRST AID for Ingested Poisons: (depends on the type of poison and when ingested)
 When advised to do so by a vet, induce vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide orally (2
tbsp for an adult), repeat in 15 minutes if dog has not vomited
 When advised to do so by a vet, administer activated charcoal (Endosorb) to adsorb
poisons
 Take a sample of the poison with you when you transport the dog to the vet
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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Seizures
Symptoms:
 Before a seizure your dog may seem dazed and anxious, and may seek you or a safe
place (aura phase), and start to tremble.
 During an active seizure he/she will often fall over (sudden paralysis), twitch or have
convulsive leg paddling , urinate, defecate, drool and will not recognize you
 Some seizures look like the animal is staring into space
 Once the seizure is over your dog may be disoriented, walk into walls or appear to
be blind. Some may also behave normally.
FIRST AID:
 Cover the dog with a towel or blanket or place on a rug and hold him (if possible) in
a position to avoid self-inflicted damage. Keep track of how long it lasts (typically a
few seconds to a few minutes).
 Stay calm and reassuring
 Ocular compression - You may push gently on the eyeballs (on the lids, of course) to
help stimulate the vagus nerve, possibly slowing the seizure. Apply this pressure for
5 to 8 seconds, release and repeat. Continue until seizure eases.
 Call your vet to report the incident.
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
15
Burns and Scalds
Frequent Causes:
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Kitchen accidents (hot liquids and pans)
Puppy heating pad too hot
Chewing on an electrical wire
Outside open flame fires
Chemical burns
Symptoms:
 First degree burns are superficial - reddening of the skin, tender or painful to the touch,
swelling
 Second degree burns affect deeper layers of the skin - blisters, redness, swelling,
tenderness
 Third degree burns – loss of skin, swelling under the skin, skin is not sensitive to touch,
tissue may look charred
 Electrical burns – lips, tongue and gums will be burned (could stop the heart)
FIRST AID:
 First degree burns – apply cold water or ice (usually do not need a vet’s care)
 For second and third degree burns - cool water compresses (e.g. sterile non-stick pads)
held with loose gauze should be applied as soon as possible
 For anything other than minor burns, contact your vet as soon as possible
 Chemical burns – flush with water for 10-15 minutes and transport to vet
 Do not use ointments, petroleum jelly or butter due to chances of infection
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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Bloat
Bloat – A life threatening situation…gastric dilatation/torsion, often common in
deep chested dogs. It is an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid and foam trapped
in the stomach which can twist as it expands. When stomach attachments to
the esophagus and intestine are blocked, it can kill a dog in less than an hour.
Symptoms:
 Distended abdomen (hard)
 Dry retching
 Significant anxiety and restlessness
 “Hunched up” appearance
 Excessive drooling
 Depression and shock
FIRST AID:
 TRANSPORT TO VET IMMEDIATAELY
Prevention:
 Split your dog’s food into at least two feedings per day (am/pm)
 Avoid lots of water at once (don’t want gulping of air)
 No exercise before and especially after eating
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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Pet Owner First Aid Kit
• A list of emergency phone numbers including
your pet’s vet, an after hours vet clinic and
Poison Control
• Bandages for control of bleeding and wrapping
of wounds
 Gauze sponges (a variety of sizes)
 Roll Gauze, 2-inch width (can use for a
make-shift muzzle)
 Roll bandage (like vet wrap)
 Adhesive tape, hypo-allergenic (do not use
BandAids)
 Non-adherent sterile pads
 Clean strips of cloth
• Material to make a splint (wood pieces,
newspaper, sticks)
• Handy tools
 Small scissors
 Penlight
 Needle-nose pliers
 Grooming clippers or a safety razor
 Pediatric rectal thermometer
 Expired Credit card to swipe away stingers
 Tweezers
 Baby dose syringe or eye dropper
 Styptic powder or pencil
• Medications
 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
 Rubbing alcohol
 Over-the-counter topical antibiotic
ointment (Neosporin, Bacitracin)
 Hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl cream
 Anti-diarrheal (Pepto Bismol tabs, Flagyl)
 Epsom salts
 Sterile eye lubricant(Visine)
 Sterile saline eye wash
 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), appropriate
dosage for your pet’s size, if approved by
your vet
 Glucose paste or corn syrup
• Latex gloves
• Nylon leash (at least one)
• Towel
• Compact Thermal Blanket
• Water-based sterile lubricant
• Petroleum jelly
Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010
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