The basic dog first-aid principles are as simple as ABC – airway, breathing, circulation. The priority is to make sure the dog’s airway is clear to enable him to breathe and ensure blood is circulating properly. When satisfied, you can deal with any other symptoms as appropriate.
Basic Dog First-Aid: Airway and Breathing
If the dog is unconscious in a collapsed state, check that he is breathing. If there’s little or no breathing and the tongue is blue-black, open the mouth and remove anything blocking the airway. Gently life the chin to extend the dog’s neck to open the airway. IF the still does not breathe, administer artificial respiration:
- Hold the mouth shut and cover the nose with your mouth.
- Gently breathe up the dog’s nose – 30 breaths every minute.
- With a small dog, an alternative method of artificial respiration is to hold him by his hand legs and, keeping your arms straight, swing him to the left and then to the right. This transfers the weight of the dog’s internal organs on and off the diaphragm, causing the lungs to fill and empty of air. Remember though to never try this if an injury is suspected that may be aggravated by using this method.
- Keep artificial respiration up until the dog begins to breathe on his own, vet help arrives or you believe the dog to be beyond help.
Basic Dog First-Aid: Circulation
Next, check for a heartbeat. Do this by putting your ear on the dog’s chest on the left side, just behind his elbow, and you will be able to hear it. Also check for a pulse by placing your fingers in the same position as your ear, or on the inside of the dog’s thigh in the groin area. If there’s no heartbeat, begin chest compression:
- For small dogs, squeeze the chest with your hands. To do this, place one hand either side of the dog’s chest, just behind his elbows, and squeeze and release the chest in a smooth action, giving two compressions every second. Always use the flat of the hand, never the fingers. Don’t use too much force, as it easy to break the ribs.
- For larger dogs, place both hands on the dog’s left-hand side, about level with his elbow. Apply steady pressure and release the pressure at the rate of two compressions per second.
Whichever method you choose to use, give two breaths to the dog for every four compressions. Keep this up until the dog’s heart begins to beat, you can’t do any more or a vet takes over. Keep checking for a heartbeat or pulse throughout your attempts at heart massage.
