Do you know doggie CPR?
THIS is one class dog owners won’t want to wag.
Melbourne University’s U-Vet clinic is teaching dog lovers “mouth-to-snout” resuscitation in case their pooch suffers cardiac arrest.
They learn how to safely provide air and chest compressions on a big dog body double.
Dr Manu Boller from the U-Vet clinic said classes at the university’s open day were “flooded” with concerned pet owners.
“We hear a lot that the general public don’t know that you can give an animal CPR,” he said.
“But one medicine, many species.
“Pet owners are really interested in learning more and knowing how to do it.
“The better quality CPR a pet owner can apply the better chance of survival.
“People want to be empowered to do something when they’re exposed to these situations.”
While more than 20 per cent of people who suffer cardiac arrests in hospital survive, the rate for dogs and cats is less than 6 per cent.
Dr Boller’s top tip was to “never give up”.
“Ideally people will be trained in this but, at the end of the day, you just do your best,” he said. “Just give it a go.” Gymbowen farmer Glenn Rowe did just that in June when his kelpie Jack jumped on off a motorbike and strangled himself with his collar.
The working dog survived and is now “as good as new”.
“If you have a bit of an idea how to do it with a person then it’s not too different,” Mr Rowe said this week.
“You just do what you can do.”
Bendigo dog owner Phil Hetherington saved the life of his dachshund Dobby after the then pup was accidentally hit with a golf ball.
“I could see that Dobby was in trouble and had stopped breathing. While we laugh about it now, it seemed like the most logical thing to do at the time” Mr Hetherington said.
“It was a relief when he started breathing again.”