Breathing
If your dog is breathing, allow him to assume the position most comfortable for him. If he isn't breathing, make sure the airway is open, and begin rescue breathing. Again, remember that even an unresponsive dog may bite on instinct.
Make sure the neck is straight without overextending.
For medium to large dogs, you will be performing mouth-to-nose breathing. Close the mouth and lips by placing your hand around the lips and holding the muzzle closed.
Place your mouth over the dog's nose. For dogs under 30 pounds, cover the mouth and lips with your mouth. Your mouth will form a seal.
Exhale forcefully. Give four or five breaths quickly.
Check to see if breathing has resumed normally. If breathing hasn't begun or is shallow, begin rescue breathing again.
For dogs over 30 pounds, give 20 breaths per minute.
For dogs less than 30 pounds, give 20 to 30 breathes per minute.
Now check for a heartbeat. If no heartbeat is detected, begin cardiac compressions with rescue breathing.
Circulation
For most animals, chest compressions are best done with the animal lying on his side on a hard surface. For barrel-chested dogs such as bulldogs and pugs, CPR is best done with the animal on his back.
Make sure your pet is on a hard surface. The sidewalk or ground should work. If the animal is on a soft area, chest compressions will not be as effective.
For small animals (less than 30 pounds)
Place your palm or fingertips over the ribs at the point where the raised elbow meets the chest.
Kneel down next to the animal with the chest near you.
Compress the chest about 1 inch at a rate of twice per second. (Small animals have higher heart rates than people so compressions need to be more rapid.)
Begin 5 compressions for each breath. After 1 minute, stop and check for a heartbeat. Continue if the beat has not resumed.
For animals 30 to 100 pounds
Kneel down next to the animal with the back near you.
Extend your elbows and cup your hands on top of each other.
Place your cupped hands over the ribs at the point where the raised elbow meets the chest.
Compress the chest 2 to 3 inches at a rate of 1.5 to 2 times per second.
Begin 5 compressions for each breath. Check for a heartbeat after 1 minute and continue if none is detected.
For animals over 100 pounds
Perform CPR as you would for large pets.
Compress the chest about once per second.
Apply 10 compressions for each breath. Check for a heartbeat after 1 minute and continue if none is detected.
Perform CPR until you have reached a veterinary hospital. After 20 minutes, however, the chances of reviving an animal are extremely unlikely.
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