Dogs have become entrenched in our family lives. Is it any wonder that we would do whatever it is possible to ensure their good health? This goes beyond taking the dog to routine check ups at the vet. Devoted dog owners are now taking CPR classes that includes the resuscitation of pets.

Knowing the importance of pets in family units, the American Red Cross has been offering CPR for pets to their human companions for quite some time. These classes include all manner of first aid and mouth-to-snout resuscitation.

Technically speaking, the resuscitation techniques between human and animal CPR is quite similar. The basics still include checking that the patient has a clear airway, checking that the patient is breathing, and checking that the patient has a heartbeat. However, if the animal patient wakes up during the process, be careful that you don't get bit. This is one of the reasons why during the resuscitation process, you close the dog's mouth and provide breaths through the dog's nose.

In addition to providing the mouth-to-snout procedure if your dog is not breathing, you can also perform chest compressions after ascertaining that there is no heartbeat. To be perfectly clear, it is imperative that you do not start chest compressions without checking for a heartbeat. Just because the patient is not breathing does not mean they have no pulse. Or if they do, they won't for long if they can't breath due to an obstructed airway. Checking for a heartbeat can be difficult especially if it is faint. Therefore, check for about 10 seconds before starting chest compressions. There are also different compression rates for small, medium and large dogs. Make sure you are informed on the differences.

Quite frankly, there is almost nothing we wouldn't do for our four legged companions. Technology has really advanced where we can provide our beloved dogs blood transfusions, pacemakers, leg prosthetics, etc. However, this will all go for not if Fido chokes on a bone on the way to the animal hospital.

CPR and first aid classes for pets is an option that every animal lover must consider. If we truly say that our dogs are members of the family, then should we not walk the talk and provide the same basic health care as for the rest of our family? Check your local branch of the Red Cross and see about taking some classes. The idea is not as radical as you might think and it might save your beloved dog's life.