You can use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive a dog in some situations, but it requires some caution and consideration.
Guidelines for Using an AED on Dogs
Here are some key guidelines for using an AED on dogs:
An AED may be used on dogs to revive them if they go into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). An SCA may take place if a dog is hit by a car, electrocuted, has heart disease, suffers trauma, or is poisoned. Time is critical, as they can die in minutes if they’re not resuscitated with a combination of CPR and the use of an AED.
Before using an AED, first check for signs of breathing and circulation difficulties – indicative of cardiac arrest. You should ideally have training on using an AED. The dog’s weight and chest size must be considered as well.
Most AEDs are designed and calibrated specifically for human physiology, so using one on a dog poses more risks and uncertainties.
However, in certain emergency scenarios, it is still reasonable, as noted, to use this type of electronic device.
Placing the AED Pads on a Dog
You’ll need to place the adhesive pads differently on a dog than you would place them on a human.
When using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive a dog, pad placement is indeed critical. Knowing how to correctly place the pads will ensure that the electric current reaches the heart effectively. To ensure optimum use, it’s important to do the following:
1. Shave long hair to maximize pad contact with the skin. Long and dense fur can impair the machine’s efficiency.
2. To place the apical (negative) pad, position the pad centrally under the left elbow, avoiding the breast tissue. This routes the current diagonally up towards the heart’s apex.
3. To place the sternum (positive) pad, you’ll need to position the pad behind the elbow on the right upper chest wall on a smaller dog. For a larger canine, place the pad on the opposite side of the chest wall, just below the shoulder.
4. For a one-pad-only unit, place the pad in the middle of the left chest wall.
5. Check to make sure the pads adhere well to the skin, pressing firmly around the edges.
6. Be sure the pads do not touch each other or short circuit current across the chest.
7. Set the AED energy dose at a low to normal setting to avoid tissue damage, making reassessments as needed.
8. Perform CPR if you obtain no response after administering three shocks to facilitate circulation.
9. Make adjustments as needed based on the dog’s size and conformation, using minimal but effective settings. Following up with intensive care is imperative after revival.
Survival rates and neurological outcomes can vary after resuscitation attempts.
In a serious medical emergency, using an AED on a dog, again, requires caution and awareness of the differences from human treatment protocols.
Why Dogs May Go Into Cardiac Arrest
As mentioned, there are several potential causes for a dog to go into sudden cardiac arrest. The following information explains how this can happen more in-depth.
Symptoms
Collapse – The dog may suddenly fall over, unable to stand back up. This is due to losing consciousness.
No pulse – The dog’s pulse will be absent if in cardiac arrest.
No breathing – Breathing will cease during cardiac arrest. Look for chest movements or listen/feel for a breath.
Glazed eyes – The eyes may take on a glazed, distracted appearance.
Blue gums or tongue – Lack of oxygen will lead to blue/purple coloration of the gums and tongue.
You should never use an AED on a dog that is breathing. The idea is to revive the dog so that it can resume breathing so its heart regains its beat.
Performing Canine CPR
To perform canine CPR on a dog, when waiting on an AED, involves the following steps:
1. Check for breathing and pulse. If absent, immediately begin CPR.
2. Start with 30 chest compressions, followed by two rescue breaths.
3. Before you begin, you’ll usually need to place your dog on its side. How you perform compressions will depend on the size and shape of the dog.
4. Next, find your compression location. For a dog, like a Labrador Retriever, who has a round chest, you’ll need to focus the compressions on the widest part of the chest.
A dog, with a narrow and deep chest, such as a Greyhound, requires compressions directly over the heart.
For a dog with a narrow chest, like a smaller dog, it’s best to use one hand instead of using two hands during the activity.
Administering CPR on a squishy-faced dog, like an English Bulldog, involves laying the dog on its back. Place your hands directly over the dog’s breastbone, pushing on the solid piece of bone. If the dog does not stay on its back, lie them on the side and perform compressions as you would a round-chested dog.
How to Get into Position
1. Kneel behind the dog.
2. If performing CPR with two hands, place one hand on top of the other with your fingers interlaced. Focus the force of the compression on the heel of the hand that is touching the dog’s chest.
3. Place your shoulders directly above your hands, keeping the elbows locked. Bend at the waist, and not at the elbows.
4. Compress at least one -third–not more than one-half–the width of the chest. If the dog is medium to large, you’ll have to push harder. Remember that it’s easy to push too hard if the dog is smaller, so, again, make sure you don’t compress more than one-half inch the width of the chest.
5. Perform 100 to 120 compressions per minute. That’s about two compressions each second. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is the ideal song beat for performing CPR.
The Most Common Reason Dogs Suffer from SCAs
The most common reason dogs suffer sudden cardiac arrest is due to underlying heart disease. Some key causes include:
1. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – This is where the heart muscle becomes thin and weak, preventing it from properly pumping blood. DCM causes abnormal heart rhythms leading to cardiac arrest. It often affects large and giant breeds like Dobermans, Boxers, and Great Danes.
2. Degenerative Valve Disease – Progressive degenerative mitral valve disease, where the mitral valve thickens and leaks, causes blood to flow backwards. This results in chaotic electrical rhythms that culminate in cardiac arrest. It is most common in small breed dogs, especially the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
3. Congenital Heart Defects – Malformed heart structures, such as defective valves (pulmonary stenosis, subaortic stenosis), abnormal vessels, or holes in heart chambers that disrupt blood flow, can all trigger potentially lethal arrhythmias. These defects are the cause for many unexpected deaths.
4. Myocarditis – This inflammatory condition, often due to viral infections that damage and weaken the heart muscle, can lead to pump failure and electrical system chaos – all which trigger a cardiac arrest.
5. Drug Toxicity/Electrolyte Imbalances – Overdoses of some medications or abnormal blood chemistry levels of key ions like potassium, magnesium and calcium can essentially “short circuit” the heart’s electrical system into cardiac arrest.
Other Reasons for SCAs
Trauma – Blunt force or penetrating traumatic injuries can result in cardiac arrest.
Toxins – Ingesting antifreeze, rodent poison, or insecticides can lead to an SCA.
Anaphylaxis – A severe allergic reaction can kickstart a cardiac arrest.
Electrocution – Electrocution accidents can interrupt the heart rhythm.
Drowning – Water submersion incidents deprive the heart of oxygen.*
*Breeds of Dogs More Susceptible to Drowning
Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to drowning risks due to factors like body type, certain tendencies, and swimming aptitude.
These dogs include:
Bully breeds – Dogs like Boxers, Pit Bulls, and Bulldogs feature a dense muscle mass and a relatively large, heavy head. This top-heavy body composition causes them to struggle to keep their head above water.
Short-nosed breeds – Brachycephalic dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Pekingese have compressed airways and therefore less athletic stamina, impairing airway position and swimming capacity.
Non-swimmers – Breeds like Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, and Whippets have relatively low body fat which provides less buoyancy. As a result, they lack the propulsion of stronger swimmers.
Herding breeds – Working dogs like Shepherds and Collies are at an increased risk for drowning. Following their natural instinct, they may pursue a Frisbee or ball into dangerous waters.
Senior dogs – Arthritis, muscle atrophy, and other issues can diminish an older dog’s mobility and strength for paddling effectively. Endurance declines over time.
Any dog is at higher risk if they lack water experience. Even natural swimmers can drown. without rapid rescue, in challenging conditions like powerful currents or cold water. These conditions can also cause hypothermia.
Providing dog life jackets and maintaining close supervision are keys to keeping your dog safe when you’re boating or fishing. Training dogs to exit the water when called can save lives as well.
An important caution: Be very careful about using an AED in a wet environment. The electrical current produced by the device can lead to electrocution. Make sure the pet is in a dry area and that the surface is not conductive, or made of metal.
Key Considerations for AED Safety for Dogs: Final Takeaway Points
The key safety considerations for using an AED on a dog include the following:
1. Weight/Size – Dogs come in vastly different sizes, so the standard AED settings may deliver too large or too small of an energy dose for a canine patient depending on their weight. The settings usually should be reduced, starting from the minimum level.
2. Electrode Pad Placement – The chest shape and thickness differs significantly between humans and dogs. You need to place pads to ensure good skin contact so the current can travel through the heart. Consulting a vet on this is extremely important.
3. Avoid Fur Interference – Long fur underneath or around the pads may prevent electrical current conduction. Vets recommend that rescuers shave or trim the fur substantially in the areas they place the pads.
If you don’t have time to shave or trim the fur, you can still use the pads. Doing so will just reduce the effectiveness.
In this scenario, you’ll need to part the dog’s fur the best you can before applying the pads to the skin next to the chest wall.
Firmly apply pressure around the outside edges of the pads to ensure the dog’s fur does not creep beneath the pads between the skin and adhesive. Hold the pressure from 30 to 60 seconds.
Never overlap the pads over each other on the chest, as it will impact the current flowing through the heart muscle. Set the energy level about 50% or less lower than you would for a human and recheck the connection points to reduce impediment.
Check for signs of burning, which may indicate that energy is arcing over the fur. You may have to readjust the pads.
Monitor heart activity continuously and perform additional manual defibrillation attempts at varying pad placement sites if, at first, you’re unsuccessful. Combine with CPR.
4. Account for Different Physiology – There are differences in the canine heart and circulatory systems. Energy doses and CPR techniques should take these anatomical and physiological variations of dogs into account.
5. Continued Critical Care – If resuscitation occurs, immediate and intensive veterinary monitoring and supportive treatment needs to follow. The underlying condition must be determined and treated.
So, while an AED can potentially restore heartbeat and breathing, if used properly on a dog in cardiac arrest, the differences in the AED’s human device design and calibration warrant considerable caution. You must account for canine variability in size, shape and health parameters.
The primary thing to keep in mind when using an AED (automated external defibrillator) on a dog is that most AEDs are specifically designed for humans, so the protocols need to be adjusted appropriately for use on canine patients.
Author: Donna Ryan
Donna Ryan is a freelance writer and journalist. She is a health writer and editor. You can reach her at inkypub.com with your inquiries or if you need articles for your website.
