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Training 
CPR

FIrst of all I want you to know that the information I teach is based on my experiences as a Paramedic. When it comes to dogs you will see many opinions on just how many compressions to breaths to give.  I like to keep things simple and also relate K9 CPR to human CPR.   For all dogs large and small - 2 breaths to 30 compressions.   You want at least 100 compressions per minute and the depth of compression to be 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest, ( or as thick as the animal is ). It is also important to know that you may dislodge or even break ribs in the process ( ITS OK ).  ITs better to have an alive dog with fractured ribs than a dead dog with good ribs.  I know that sounds bad but this is life or death.   Keep in mind that if you do not see your dog getting any better after 20 minutes, chances are they will not get any better. 
 
Another thing I tell people is YOU ARE THE MEDIC. You have to have a plan to do CPR and get your dog to the nearest hospital. Know where the hospital is, and the phone number. Just think, What if the Paramedic had to look up where the nearest hospital is while you are in the back of the ambulance. 

If your dog becomes unconscious, respiratory arrest may occur, and usually occurs before cardiac arrest. The heart may continue to beat for several minutes after the breathing stops. Artificial respiration, or rescue breathing, must begin immediately to save your dog's life. If the heart stops, chest compressions must be given right away to keep the blood pumping. Artificial respiration and chest compressions given together are called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.Artificial RespirationIf your dog has gone into respiratory arrest, begin artificial respiration immediately.
  1. Lay your dog on his RICHT side on a flat surface.
  2. Be sure your dog has stopped breathing: watch for the rise and fall of the chest, feel for breath on your hand, look at the gums - they will turn blue or white from lack of oxygen.
  3. Check the airway - it must be clear. Extend the head and neck. Open the mouth and look for a foreign object. If an object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward. If this does not dislodge the object, use your fingers, pliers, or tongs to grasp it. If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, use the Heimlich maneuver. 
  4. Once the airway is clear, begin rescue breathing.
  5. With your dog on his ROGHT side, lift the chin to straighten out his throat.
  6. Use one hand to grasp the muzzle and hold the mouth shut.
  7. Put your mouth completely over the nose and blow gently; the chest should expand. Blow just enough to move his chest (blow harder for large dogs, gently for cats and small dogs).
  8. Wait for the air to leave the lungs before breathing again.
  9. Continue this, giving 20 breaths per minute (one breath every three seconds), until your dog breathes on his own or as long as the heart beats.
  10. Continue to monitor the heartbeat.
CPRIf your dog's heart has stopped beating, CPR must begin immediately. It is best to have two people performing CPR - one continuing artificial respiration while the other does chest compressions. Follow the instructions for artificial respiration, alternating with chest compressions.

 For Small Dogs (under 20 pounds)
  1. Lay your dog on her RIGHT side on a flat surface.
  2. Place the palm of your hand on the rib cage over the heart. Place your other hand on top of the first. (For puppies and kittens, put your thumb on one side of the chest and the rest of your fingers on the other side.) This is the same for infant CPR.
  3. Compress the chest 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
  4. Then preform mouth to snout - 2 breaths and go back to step one.
  5. Transport to the nearest Vet.
For Medium & Large Dogs (over 20 pounds)
  1. Lay your dog on her RIGHT side on a flat surface.
  2. Place one hand on top of the other over the widest portion of the rib cage. A good landmark is to take the leg of the dog, bend it back, and where the elbow meets the chest that is a good spot. 
  3. Keeping your arms straight, push down on the rib cage. Compress the chest 1/3 to 1/2 of its width. Squeeze and release rhythmically at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
  4. Then preform mouth to snout - 2 breaths and go back to step one.
  5. Continue CPR until your dog breathes on his own and has a steady heartbeat. or until 20 minutes have gone by or transport to the Vet.
Saint Bernard First Aid