Technique Chart

COMPRESSIONS / RESCUE BREATHING TECHNIQUE CHART

NEONATE NEWBORN TOY and SMALL 6-20 Pounds MEDIUM to LARGE 21-125 Pounds GIANT BREED Over 125 Pounds
RESCUE BREATHING RATE Give one breath Every 2 seconds or 30 breaths per minute Give one breath every 3 seconds or 20 breaths per minute Give one breath every 4 seconds or 15 breaths per minute Give on breath every 5 seconds or 12 breaths per minute
neonate newborn rescue breathing toy and small 6-20 pounds rescue breathing large 21-125 pounds dog rescue breathing giant breed over 125 pounds rescue breathing
POSITION Place animal on its Back in Palm of hand with head on wrist Place animal on Right Side Can also place on back Place animal on Right Side. Can also place on back. Place animal on Right Side.Can also place on back.
COMPRESSIONS With finger midline over the upper third of the Sternum, compress as if You were squeezing the Two side of the chest together Fingers over third rib space compress chest briskly – 1 – 1.5 inches in depth. Palm of one hand midling over third rib space, other hand on Top of fist to compress 1.5 to 2 inches in depth. Two hands clasped midline over third rib space compress 2 to 3 inches in depth.
RATE Squeeze as quickly as Possible 120-140 per minute 100-120 per minute. 80-100 per minute. 60-80 per minute.
BREATH TO COMPRESSION RATIO Perform 1 breath to every 2 compressions. Perform 1 breath to every 3 compressions. Perform 1 breath to every 5 compressions. Perform 2 breaths to every 15 compressions.
Always transport the animal as soon as possible to the veterinarian, even if the animal appears to have been successfully resuscitated.
 

HEAT EXHAUSTION / HEATSTROKE

Heat Exhaustion

CAUSES

Often related to prolonged exposure to excessively hot and humid environment.

SIGNS

  • Weakness and unsteady gait
  • Skin cool to touch
  • Pupils dilated
  • Gums and tongue are bright red at first followed by pale grayish-pink
  • Body temperature subnormal
  • Nausea and vomiting

ACTION TO TAKE

  • Remove to a cool area
  • Try to give small amounts of water to drink
  • Take to veterinarian immediately
 

Heatstroke in Dogs

CAUSES

  • Usually induced by confinement to a poorly ventilated cage or vehicle in hot weather

SIGNS

  • Rapid panting and/or grasping
  • Skin, especially ears, very warm to the touch
  • Tongue dry (may be purplish-blue)
  • Prostration (collapse)
  • Loss of consciousness

ACTION TO TAKE

  • Cool immediately in shower, bath or other source of running water
  • Fans or cool air blowing on wet fur aids cooling
  • May place rubbing alcohol on skin of ears and feet to enhance cooling
  • May use ice-water but do not cool below 104°F, as measured by rectal thermometer
  • Give small amount of water to drink
  • Always transport the animal as soon as possible to the veterinarian, even if the animal appears to have been successfully resuscitated.

COMPLICATIONS

  • Heatstroke in dogs is associated with seizures and possible brain damage
  • Diarrhea is commonly associated with heatstroke; it may be bloody
  • Kidney failure can occur as long as weeks after the heatstroke
  • Fatal bleeding problems may occur as a result of heatstroke
 

Bloat

Bloat in dogs is a medical emergency which affects large breed dogs and is due to gas or food stretching (and then twisting), the dog’s stomach so that the gas cannot exit. Dilation of the dog’s stomach occurs first and usually occurs many times in dogs without any outward signs. Only when the stomach twists does the problem occur.

CAUSES

  • Once a day feeding predisposes to bloat.
  • Exercise after feeding predisposes to bloat.

ACTION TO TAKE

Transport to veterinarian as soon as possible.

Note: The following are recommendations to be done only when veterinary care is not available.
Release of the gas is the most important first step.

  1. Place a roll of tape into the dog’s mouth and tie the mouth shut with gauze.
  2. Measure the tube from the front teeth to the last rib and mark the tube at this distance.
  3. Pass a large bore well-lubricated tube into the stomach. Use a water hose or siphon hose. Do not pass tube beyond mark.
  4. Firm gentle pressure is used to pass the tube. Entry into the stomach is aided by rotating the tube slightly while pushing.
  5. If unable to pass tube, then force the patient to sit up to reduce pressure on the stomach and allow tube passage.
  6. If passage still not possible, then needle decompression is used to release pressure and allow passage of the tube.
  7. The right side behind the last rib is scrubbed and a 14 to 16 gauge needle is quickly place through the skin and into the stomach.
  8. Transport to the veterinarian with the tube still in place for treatment of shock and heart damage caused by the event.

To prevent bloat: Feed small meals frequently through the day and do not allow exercise after over-eating.