It attempts to combine the information in the other sites covering areas which all sites do not cover. However, if you follow only these instructions, you do so at your own risk since this page has NOT been approved by a DVM.

[1] if animal drowning and is not conscious or breathing:
  a. do not attempt to remove water. See details first.
  b. using the Heimlich Maneuver may be successful in      drowning cases when all else has failed.

[2] if animal obviously choking, do Heimlich Maneuver.

[3] otherwise, check if breathing. Even if unconscious, check for shallow breathing. If yes go no further.

[4] straighten neck if not possible trauma or break to neck.

[5] do not attempt to check for pulse. See details first.

[6] straighten tongue if doubled back, protecting self from reflexive bite (even if animal unconscious).

[7] Looking at what you are doing, clear out any mucus, phlegm or vomit. Remove any visible blockage carefully (so as not to push further in). Do not do a blind finger sweep. Animals have a bone at the deep in the throat at the base of the tongue which is the hyoid apparatus or Adam's apple which can be mistaken for obstruction or chicken bone. Great damage can be done by pulling on this.

[8] if breathing, do not go further.

[9] close animal's mouth and breathe gently but firmly into nose (directly with mouth over nose or using air tight cupped hand). Chest should rise and fall with each of your breaths. After each breath, release you mouth to allow lungs to deflate. Amount of air must fit the size of the animal - just enough for chest to rise and fall.

[10] if still your breath does not go through, hold nose shut with one finger and blow into the mouth holding sides of mouth air tight as possible.

[11] If breath still not going through, do Heimlich Maneuver.

[12] otherwise, if breathing, do not continue. Further forced breathing or CPR could hurt animal.

[13] if not breathing, go to number 6 above and repeat process until a passage is clear. A passage must be clear in order for breathing/chest compression cycle to be successful.

[14] Procedure breathing/chest compression(CPR) cycle (CPR) - With animal lying on its right side, put heel (fingers for small animal) of one hand on the rib cage (where middle of foreleg touches chest when folded).
Rate: Do 2 breaths (as above) and then 5 rib cage compressions. (each breath or compression approximately once every 2 seconds). Do smooth steady compressions. Always be aware of size of animal while doing the compressions - you are as if massaging the heart, not pushing it out of its place. See
Timing of each breath or compression

[15] continue breathing and chest compression until signs of
life or self breathing.

After 20 minutes there is little possibility that animal can be saved. See Time before stopping CPR

if possible neck or back injury, do not tilt or straighten neck of animal.

do not attempt to remove water from a drowning animal.

do not check for pulse.

place a soft block of something at beginning of mouth to avoid automatic biting down while attempting to straighten the tongue or remove blockage.

animals have a bone at the base of the tongue which is the Adam's apple and can be mistaken for obstruction or chicken bone. Does much harm to dog if pulled on.

amount of air blown into the animals lungs must fit the size of the animal - just enough to cause its chest area to rise and than fall - and no more. Release your mouth each time to allow for exhale.

compression of chest must fit size of animal. Enough to help heart circulate blood, not to rearrange wheree heart sits.

constantly check for self breathing or movement.

CPR is usually done with the animal laying on its right side.

stop life saving efforts if animal is breathing or moving. Further breathing or CPR could hurt animal.

do not practice the Heimlich Maneuver for real on an animal, only where to place hands, etc.

It attempts to combine the information in the other sites covering areas which all sites do not cover. However, if you follow only these instructions, you do so at your own risk since this page has not been approved by a DVM.

[1] protecting self from reflexive bite (even if animal unconscious), straighten tongue if doubled back.

[2] remove any visible blockage carefully (not push further in). Do not do a blind finger sweep. Look at what you are doing. Animals have a bone at the deep in the throat at the base of the tongue which is the hyoid apparatus or Adam's apple which can be mistaken for obstruction or chicken bone. Great damage can be done by pulling on this.

[3] if breathing, do not go further.

[4] with animal on all fours, or held on hind legs, or rarely lying.

[5] place one fist below last rib and use other arm to steady (do not use arms to squeeze).

[6] jerk fist in an inward-up motion just enough to push air from lungs to expel object from windpipe. Always keep in mind the size of animal.

[7] if breathing, stop.

[8] else, do mouth check for possible manual extraction.

[9] if animal still choking, repeat procedure.

[10] if animal unconscious, check for clear air passage ways using breathing-CPR procedure above.

Do not do this procedure for practice. May cause damage to animal. Only hand placement may be practiced.

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Click here for Detailed Points of Procedure Heimlich Maneuver in Dogs and Cats

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How Long before Stopping   return

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Sites indicating amount of time (in minutes) to do CPR procedures before stopping.

Cpr Certification Classes.com 20

Redcross.org 20

dogstarr.com 10

interpetexplorer.com 30-60

Petplace.com 20

21cats.org 30

PetPlace.com 20

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How often to do breathing & how many compressions to one breath   return

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henryhbk
Breathing: 1 breath every 3 seconds
CPR: 15 compressions - 2 breaths (3 compressions every 2 seconds)

Doggie CPR
Breathing: 1 breath every 2 seconds
CPR: 10 compressions - 2 breaths (1 compression every 2 seconds)

Pet Guardian Angels of America
Breathing: 1 breath every 5 seconds
CPR: 10 compressions - 1 breath

Cpr-certification from 'Pet First Aid' American Red Cross and Humane Society of the United States.
Breathing: 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (depending on size)
CPR: 3-5 compressions - 1 breath (depending on number of people)

21cats.org
Breathing: 1 breath every 2-4 seconds.
CPR: about 60-80 times per minute.

PetPlace.com
Breathing: For dogs over 30 pounds, give 20 breaths per minute (1 breath every 3 seconds).
CPR: For dogs over 30 pounds, 5 compressions for each breath
CPR: For dogs over 100 pounds, 10 compressions for each breath
Breathing: For dogs less than 30 pounds, give 20 to 30 breaths per minute (1 breath every 2-3 seconds).
CPR: For dogs less than 30 pounds, 5 compressions for each breath

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References   return

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Emergency! Are You Prepared? Good list of links to various disaster preparation, first aid kits, first aid for various animals, and guide to many other related sites by a DVM.

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Publications   return

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Pet First Aid
"Will you know what to do when your pet needs help? The American Red Cross, the nation's largest humanitarian organization and The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, teamed up to help people help their pets. This helpful first aid reference provides guidance for the more than 60 million U.S. households in which 110 million cats and dogs live. Tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy are also included. The soft-covered book with lay-flat binding is 128 pages long, and features more than 130 illustrations." source
For ordering information, contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

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