The Animal Protection Office of New Taipei City, in collaboration with the Taiwan Sports Safety and First Aid Skills Promotion Association, held a "Pet CPR Training" session today at the New Taipei City Library Main Branch. This event invited groomers from 50 pet stores across New Taipei to participate.
Just as people are prone to heatstroke during the summer, pets are no exception. To improve pet survival rates, New Taipei's Animal Protection Office partnered with the Taiwan Sports Safety and First Aid Skills Promotion Association to promote pet cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to groomers in 50 pet stores. They emphasized the critical "golden three minutes" for timely rescue.
With the scorching summer heat, pets such as dogs and cats are at risk of heatstroke and even heat failure, which can be fatal. Normal body temperature for pets ranges between 37°C and 39°C; once it rises to 39.5°C, heatstroke can occur. Excessive panting is the primary symptom of pet heatstroke. If dogs or cats show signs of heatstroke, they should be moved to a shaded area immediately, given water promptly, and other cooling measures applied. If shock occurs due to heatstroke, pet CPR must be administered immediately to increase the chance of survival.
Every year, New Taipei's Animal Protection Office promotes pet CPR within communities, neighborhoods, government agencies, and among specialty pet businesses. This year, the program expanded to pet groomers. Using lifelike dog mannequins called "Pet Anna," groomers get hands-on practice performing pet CPR. After demonstrating proper emergency procedures, participants who pass the test receive a Pet CPR Training Certificate. Over 800 people have obtained this certification so far.
Pet CPR Procedure
- First, check if the pet is breathing and conscious.
- Clear any foreign objects from the pet's mouth.
- Perform chest compressions by placing your palms over the heart area with arms straight. Compress at a rate of 2 times per second, pressing the chest down 1/3 to 1/2 of its depth, repeating 30 times.
- Give rescue breaths by holding the pet's mouth closed with both hands and blowing two breaths into its nose, watching the chest for rise and fall to ensure air enters the lungs.
- Repeat chest compressions and rescue breaths until professional medical help is available and transport the pet to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
Ms. Tsai, a pet groomer, shared that she once experienced a pet suddenly becoming ill and fainting during grooming. She said that having CPR knowledge for pets allowed her to act within the golden three minutes, significantly increasing the pet's chances of survival.
