Save a dog’s life – that’s how CPR works for our four-legged friends

During the year, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, SVA, organized the first training courses in emergency medical care for service dogs.

The interest has been great, and the knowledge can be applied to any dog.

– The principle is the same, but there are slight differences depending on the dog’s size, says veterinarian Charlotta von Delwig.

What do you do with your dog if the accident happens, during the time it takes for a possible veterinarian to arrive on the scene?

That, and much else, has been taught during the year via a course in emergency medical care aimed at dog handlers of service dogs. The purpose of the project has been to strengthen civil defense, with a focus on police dogs, customs service dogs and rescue dogs, but the knowledge can be applied to all dogs, says veterinarian Charlotta von Delwig.

– The principle is the same regardless of the dog, but there are slight differences depending on the size, she says in Nyhetsmorgon.

“Ripples on the water”

Although the course has primarily been aimed at handlers of service dogs, it is hoped that the knowledge will be spread to all dog owners.

– There have been fully booked courses, and many pet dog owners have contacted us, says Tanja Strand, researcher at SVA, and continues:

– This has of course been a crisis preparedness project for service dogs, but since we also had an instructor course, it can make waves and also reach companion dogs through them, she says.

“Don’t check the pulse”

So what do you do if the accident happens? A big difference, compared to if it were about a human, is not to check the dog’s pulse.

– It is too difficult, says veterinarian Charlotta von Delwig.

Instead, you should first of all establish whether the dog is conscious, by talking to it and holding it. The airways should then be checked to see that nothing is stuck. Preferably by sticking out your tongue and going down your throat with your fingers.

– It is something owners can think about. That when you play with your dog, the object can also get stuck, says von Delwig.

The next step is to check breathing by looking at the dog’s chest. Compressions can then be started. And here the approach differs depending on the size of the dog.

– On Jerry (the dog stairs in Nyhetsmorgon’s studio, ed. note) you want to be at the highest point of the chest. But with a small dog, you’d rather be over the heart, says Charlotta von Delwig.

In the clip above, you can see how CPR on dogs is done.