Pet Emergency Care

CPR for Dogs and Cats

For Small Dogs and Puppies Less Than 30 Pounds (14 kg):

Lay the dog on either side on as flat a surface as possible that's nearby.
Place one hand on the front and back of the dog's upper left side (where the heart is).
Press the chest and let go for a count of one. Repeat 100-120 compressions per minute.
Close the dog’s mouth and give 2 breaths into nose every 30 compressions. If possible, have another person do the respiration.
Continue CPR and respiration until the dog begins breathing and heartbeat returns.
Transport the dog immediately to the Veterinarian or after hours Emergency Clinic during CPR if someone else can drive; if not immediately following CPR.

For Medium/Large Dogs Over 30 Pounds (14 kg):
The steps are the same as for small dogs/puppies, except:

For barrel-chested dogs (like Bulldogs) you can place the dog on it's back.
Place one one hand palm-down on the dog’s rib cage over the heart region, and place your other hand (palm down) on top of it.
Without bending your elbows, press the rib cage down.

For Cats:

Pull the cat’s tongue to front of mouth, then close and hold mouth shut firmly but gently.
Make sure the cat’s neck is straight.
Breathe short puffs of air into cat's nose, one breath every 4 to 5 seconds; repeat 3 to 5 times.
Check for heartbeat and breathing:

If a heartbeat is present but breathing is absent, continue at 10 breaths/minute.
If a heartbeat is absent, begin chest compressions in addition to breathing

Chest Compressions:

Lay your cat on either side on as flat a surface as possible that's nearby.
Place your thumb and fingers on either side of cat's chest, behind cat's elbows and over heart.
Give a quick squeeze to compress the chest by about 1/3 third (of body circumference).
Compress the chest 100-120 times per minute, with 2 breaths every 30 compressions. If possible, have another person do the respiration.
Transport the cat immediately to the Veterinarian or after hours Emergency Clinic during CPR if someone else can drive; if not immediately following CPR.

Saving a Dog or Cat That is Choking

Pet are like 4 legged children - they like to pick things up and put them in their mouth that they shouldn't!

Common Household Chocking Hazards:

For Dogs:Common causes of choking for dogs are bones that have splintered (poultry or fish bones), hard rubber balls, lumps of gristle, and rawhides that become swollen and enlarge due to moisture.
For Cats: Common causes of choking for cats are splintered bones, pen caps, thimbles, ribbon, tinsel, twine, string.

Removing the Object from the Pet's Throat:
1. Use a towel to wrap your pet; or have someone help restrain your pet

2. Open your pet's mouth gently

3. See if you can easily remove the object with your fingers

4. Proceed with Heimlech maneuver (see below)

5. Follow up immediately with a Veterinarian as there may be damage to the mouth or esophagus

For cats who have a length of twine, string, tinsel or ribbon stuck:

Unless it slides out like a wet spaghetti noodle, do NOT pull it. This means it is deep into the GI tract. Trying to pull it could cause a rupture. Take your cat immediately to the Veterinarian or an after hours Emergency Clinic.

Heimlech Maneuver for Cats (see below for Dogs)
1. Lay the cat on its side and place your hand on its back
2. Place your other hand on the belly just below the ribs
3. Using your hand on its belly, give several sharp pushes in and up
4. Check its mouth for the hazard and remove
5. Close the mouth and give a couple of small breaths through the nose
6. Repeat until the airway is completely clear
7. Follow up immediately with a Veterinarian

If the cat is still not breathing check for a heartbeat or pulse. If none can be found, begin CPR.

Heimlech Maneuver for Dogs:

1. If the dog is small, lay the dog on its back and apply pressure to the abdomen just below the rib cage.
2. If the dog is large, put your arms around its belly, joining your hands. Make a fist and push firmly up and forward, just behind the rib cage. Place the dog on its side afterward.

3. If the dog is already lying on its side, place one hand on the back and use the other hand to squeeze the abdomen up and toward the spine.
4. Check the dog's mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodged using the precautions described above.

If the dog is still not breathing check for a heartbeat or pulse. If none can be found, begin CPR.

Common Household Items Poisonous to Pets

24 Hour Poison Control Hotline (888) 426-4435

Foods (see below for Medicines and Household Supplies)

Alcoholic beverages
Apple seeds
Apricot pits
Avocados
Cherry pits
Candy (particularly chocolate—which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets—and any candy containing the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
Coffee (grounds, beans, and chocolate-covered espresso beans)
Garlic
Grapes
Gum (can cause blockages and sugar free gums may contain the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
Hops (used in home beer brewing)
Macadamia nuts
Moldy foods
Mushroom plants
Mustard seeds
Onions and onion powder
Peach pits
Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
Raisins
Rhubarb leaves
Salt
Tea (because it contains caffeine)
Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
Walnuts
Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to pets)
Yeast dough

Medicines/Household Supplies:

Human Prescriptions for heart medications, antidepressants and pain medications including acetaminophen, ibuprofen and herbal supplements.
Laundry pods
Insecticides used in the yard, home and on our animals were nearly 16% of all calls to the poison hotline. Always read the label before using any insecticide on your pet, in your home or in your yard. Fish fertilizer is particularly tasty to cats and is completely deadly to them. Even "green" insecticides and fertilizers can be deadly!
Fire logs
Cleaning products

Pet Emergency Care

24 hour poison control hotline (888) 426-4435

CPR for Dogs and Cats

Normal Blood Pressure/Temp/Pulse/Respiratory: Dogs and Cats

Saving a Dog or Cat That is Choking

Common Household Items Poisonous to Pets