|A dog's breathing and heartbeat can fail following a traffic
accident, electric shock, poisoning, drowning, or shock. Prompt
cardiac massage and artificial respiration may occasionally be
necessary to save a dog's life. It is crucial to get oxygen-rich
blood to the brain as soon as possible to prevent brain damage.
If the dog is to survive, its heart must be restarted within
minutes.| You must get the heart started before attempting
mouth-to-nose resuscitation. Do not worry about bruising a rib
or applying too much pressure when giving cardiac massage. This
is a life-or-death situation. Large dogs in particular need
forceful external pressure to squeeze blood out of the heart.
Cardiac massage should be kept up for at least ten minutes. Do
not give up trying to resuscitate a dog while there is still a
faint heartbeat. Artificial respiration can keep an injured dog
alive long enough for veterinary help to be obtained. 1.) If you
cannot see the dog breathing, press your ear firmly on the chest
to listen for the