The ABCs of Pet First Aid
Every pet owner’s worst nightmare is finding their pet during a medical emergency and not knowing how to help. This is a quick, step-by-step guide to the ABCs of pet first aid, covering blocked airways, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and shock. This article is intended as an introduction or refresher for emergency pet situations rather than as primary instruction. Refer to the final paragraph for additional resources on emergency pet first aid.
Blocked Airway
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a choking dog is crucial for providing prompt, definitive care to save a life. Things to look for include coughing and gagging as they attempt to dislodge the blocking object. They may experience difficulty breathing, and you may notice drooling and pawing at their face or rubbing their face on the ground. Their gums and tongue may begin to appear bluish due to a lack of oxygen. If the dog is unable to dislodge the blocking object on their own, they will lose consciousness.
If your dog is choking, follow these steps for the Heimlich maneuver to help clear the airway:
- Check for the Object: Open your dog’s mouth to see if you can spot the object. If you can see it, gently sweep your fingers to try to remove it. Be careful not to push it deeper into the airway, and remember that a distressed dog may inadvertently bite. Do not sweep the mouth if you think the dog will bite.
- Use Gravity: Hold the dog’s back legs and lift them off the ground while keeping its head down, similar to a wheelbarrow position. Sometimes, gravity can help dislodge the foreign object blocking the airway.
- Back Blows: Another method for removing an object lodged in the airway is to deliver hard, sharp blows to the back, between the shoulder blades, until the object is dislodged.
- 4. Abdominal Thrusts: Approaching the dog from behind, wrap your arms around its abdomen. Create a fist with both hands and position it just below the rib cage under the breastbone (sternum). Deliver several quick thrusts upward and inward toward the diaphragm until the object is dislodged.
- Continue Until Unconscious: Keep trying to remove the object until your dog becomes unconscious. It’s essential to note that a pet in distress may become panicked, which can hinder your ability to assist them in dislodging the object. If they cannot expel the object and lose consciousness, you should immediately begin Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is used to restore oxygen and circulation to a dog’s brain and body. CPR improves the chance of saving your pet’s life if done correctly. Here are the steps to follow in an emergency:
- Positioning: Lay the dog on its side with their neck slightly extended to open the airway. Gently pull out the tongue and check for any obstructions in the mouth. Gently sweep the mouth with your finger to remove any obstructions.
2. Checking for Breathing: Assess whether the dog is breathing. For small dogs, if they are not breathing, provide rescue breaths by covering their nose and mouth with your own and blowing gently until you see their chest rise. For large dogs, gently close their mouth and lips with both hands and blow gently through their nose until their chest rises. Each rescue breath should be administered for one second. Administer 3-5 rescue breaths, allowing the chest to fall between each breath.
3. Checking for Pulse: Next, determine if the dog is breathing on its own and check for a heartbeat. To find a pulse, use your first three fingers to gently press the inside of the dog’s rear thigh, near the groin, and move towards the top of the leg. If you cannot detect a pulse and the dog is not breathing, initiate chest compressions.
4. Chest Compressions: For small dogs, wrap both hands around their chest, resting both thumbs on the sternum (chest bone) while avoiding pressure on the ribs. Perform compressions at a steady rhythm of 100-120 compressions per minute to a depth of 1.5-2 inches. For medium to large dogs, lay them on their side. Place one hand on top of the other in the middle of the chest, over the rib cage, and push down 2-4 inches. Maintain the same compression rate as with small dogs. For dogs with deep or wide chests, lay them on their back and perform compressions with one hand overlapping the other on the breastbone at a depth of 2-4 inches, depending on the dog’s size.
5. Rescue Breaths and Compressions: After one minute of compressions, give two rescue breaths, allowing the chest to relax between breaths. Repeat the cycle of breaths and compressions. If there are two people available, one person should immediately call the veterinarian for additional instructions while the other person initiates CPR. In a two-person scenario, one person should perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute while the second person administers rescue breaths at a rate of 10 breaths per minute. This process should continue until professional help is attained, the dog regains a pulse and starts breathing on its own, or until the persons providing CPR become exhausted.
Shock
Shock is a medical emergency. It is defined as the loss of circulation to the brain and body. The dog’s blood pressure becomes critically low, and the brain and other vital organs aren’t getting enough blood. A dog can go into shock for many reasons, including Infection, Injury, allergic reaction, Vomiting/Diarrhea, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Signs and symptoms of shock include pale gums, rapid or slow breathing (breathing is usually fast in the earlier signs of shock, and slower breathing occurs during late shock), lethargy, stumbling, or unconsciousness.
To treat shock, keep the dog as calm as possible.
1. Conserve body heat: Wrap them in a blanket to keep them warm.
2. Protect any fractures or sprains: If possible, splint the injured extremity. Cover any cuts with a clean, damp cloth.
3. Apply direct pressure to any wounds: Hold direct pressure using a clean cloth until the bleeding subsides. If bleeding continues through the fabric, place another cloth on top of the wound and continue holding pressure. If the wound is on an extremity, raise the extremity above the heart to help control bleeding.
4. Lower dog’s head: Try to keep the head level or slightly lower than the rest of the body. You can use a folded blanket under the rear to help blood flow to the brain.
5. Check the airway: To ensure proper breathing, open the airway. If not breathing, start rescue breaths at a rate of 10 breaths per minute (see blocked airway guidelines).
6. Check for a pulse: If no pulse is detected, begin CPR immediately (see CPR guidelines).
7. Transport to the veterinarian: Place a large dog on a flat board to help immobilize them. Use a sturdy box to transport smaller pets. Do not delay transport. Call or have someone call the vet on the way in to apprise them of the situation and get further advice.
It is essential to learn the basics of pet first aid before you need it. Taking a class can be beneficial in boosting your confidence in your abilities. To sign up for pet CPR through the American Red Cross, visit:
https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid .
For an online class in pet CPR, visit:
Furthermore, there are mobile applications that offer immediate guidance on procedures for clearing an obstructed airway, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), managing shock, and handling various pet emergencies. Download the American Red Cross app at Mobile Apps & Voice-Enabled Skills | Get American Red Cross Apps It’s always best to have these resources available before encountering a pet emergency.