Pet CPR Introduction

Having to perform CPR on your pet can be very distressing, practising either in a classroom or using a toy at home can build confidence. The reason why a pet stops breathing could include

• Drowning
• Suffocation
• Excessive Heat
• Poisoning
• Cardiac problems
• Smoke inhalation

Why perform CPR?

• Never practice CPR on a pet, use a manikin or toy
• If your pet is very old and their heart has stopped it is likely that they may die and CPR may not be appropriate or in the pet's best interest
• Be aware that around 6% of dogs who have received CPR survive to be discharged from a veterinary hospital, but 6% chance is better than no chance and the success does depend on what caused them to stop breathing
• Research varies, if the pet has stopped breathing due to a respiratory problem, for example drowning CPR may be effective, if you don't try you will never know
• Research on the length of time CPR should be provided varies, often if it is going to work, it will work within the first 10 minutes
• There are few cases where after 10 minutes, the dog has been successfully resuscitated.
• The general rule is that after 20 minutes it is best you stop, there will always be exceptions where dogs have been revived after this time, but it is unlikely to work and you are unlikely to be able to perform CPR effectively for an extended length of time.