How to restore breathing in a dog? - briefly
If your dog is not breathing, check for any obstructions in the airway such as vomit or foreign objects. Perform rescue breaths by covering the dog's nose and mouth with your hand and exhaling gently into it, repeating every 3-5 seconds until the dog starts to breathe on its own or professional help arrives.
How to restore breathing in a dog? - in detail
Restoring breathing in a dog requires immediate and careful action. The first step is to assess the situation and determine if the dog is truly not breathing or if it has stopped temporarily due to shock or exhaustion. If you notice no breaths for more than a few seconds, prompt intervention is necessary.
-
Check for Obstructions: Begin by checking the dog's mouth and throat for any obstructions that may be blocking its airway. Be cautious while doing this to avoid injuring the dog further. If you find an object, carefully remove it using your fingers or tweezers.
-
Perform Rescue Breathing: If there are no obstructions and the dog is still not breathing, you will need to perform rescue breathing. This involves manually inflating the dog's lungs with air.
- Place the dog on its side on a flat surface.
- Extend the dog's neck to open the airway.
- Close the dog's mouth and place your lips around its nose, creating a tight seal.
- Breathe into the dog's nose steadily, watching for the chest to rise. Typically, one breath every 3-5 seconds is sufficient.
-
Check for Pulse: While performing rescue breathing, check for a pulse on the inner thigh near the groin area. If there is no detectable pulse after about a minute of rescue breathing, you should begin chest compressions.
-
Perform Chest Compressions: For chest compressions:
- Place the dog on its side again if it isn't already.
- Locate the heart by placing your hand on the lower left side of the ribcage.
- Use the heel of your hand to press firmly and steadily, aiming for about 100-120 compressions per minute.
- After every compression cycle (approximately 30 seconds), pause briefly to check if the dog has started breathing on its own. If not, resume compressions.
-
Seek Professional Help: As soon as you have stabilized the dog and it begins to breathe again, transport it immediately to a veterinary clinic for further assessment and care. Even if the dog seems fine after resuscitation, it is crucial to get professional help to ensure there are no underlying issues that require medical attention.
Note: Always be cautious while handling an unconscious or distressed animal. It's important to remain calm and focused throughout the process to maximize the chances of a successful recovery.