Last week, we wrote about ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION using CHEST COMPRESSION (see photo below) technique. Today we will deal with physical techniques you can use to stimulate the non-beating heart into action.
Chest compression technique
Heart massage
This emergency procedure may be used when no heartbeat can be heard or felt. This latter condition can occur, for example, after a dog has been knocked down by a motor vehicle. Heart-beat stoppage usually follows the cessation of breathing. The technique for an emergency heart massage provides for air being sucked into the lungs.
Note that, in performing the heart massage, you must
(i) Ascertain for sure that there is a pulse or heartbeat. You can do this by putting three fingers (or your ear) on the left side chest area (in the region of the third rib, above the chest bone). If there is a heartbeat, it will be discernible.
(ii) Clear away any discharges/secretions from the mouth and nostrils. Also, remove any foreign bodies (e.g. food particles).
(iii) Place your dog on a flat, hard surface with the left side facing upwards.
(iv) If it is a small dog (e.g. a puppy that has just playfully run through the gate, on to the road in front of a non-stopping mini bus), then we can massage the heart with the fingers of one hand. The heart area is grasped in its totality, the thumb on the top and the other four fingers (wrapped around the sternum) on the other side. If it is a large dog (an adult Doberman, for example), place the palm of the right hand on the left side (in the area of the heart – as shown in the photo) of the rib cage.
Heart massage technique
(v) Squeeze the chest area (compression) five times firmly, at three second intervals. Stop for 4-5 seconds. The chest will expand. This manipulation will ensure the movement of air as well as the pumping of blood.
(vi) Continue this procedure until the heart begins to beat on its own. Of course, if after 2-3 minutes there is no response (no heartbeat) to this manual massage, it can be concluded that the animal will not recover.
Next week, we will deal with emergency measures which can be taken when the animal is burnt or has encountered an electric shock.
