Ruff Paws

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR can be performed on your cat or dog, using the same guidelines necessary for human CPR. Keep in mind that an animal in pain will often be aggressive. Nevertheless, if the animal can be restrained and/or if resuscitation is appropriate, such as in the case of a drowning, shock, or electrocution, then try the following:

1. First look for signs of life, such as a pulse or breathing.
2. Place the animal on its side and extend the head and neck to open the air passages.
3. Place the heel of one hand on the animal's chest with the other hand palm-down on top.
4. Press firmly, release, pause and repeat 20-30 times per minute, taking care not to break the animal's ribs.
5. Alternate chest massage with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, if required, by holding your hand around the animal's closed mouth and exhaling short puffs of air directly into it's nostrils.