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Canine cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) represents an emergency procedure that, if delivered correctly, can significantly increase the chances of survival in dogs suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA).[1] In 2012, the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) initiative published the first evidence-based, consensus guideline for CPR in small animals.[2] This initiative provides standardized guidelines to decrease the variability in the approach to canine CPR. While this initiative offers five domains of CPR for dogs, the discussion here is primarily limited to Basic Life Support (BLS) measures. BLS includes recognizing CPA, initiating chest compressions, airway management, and providing ventilation. BLS can be provided by both lay rescuers and medical professionals.

Many healthcare workers trained to treat human patients may be called on to act as first responders to a canine patient. Canine CPR shares many similarities with human CPR, and if done correctly, can save lives. The evidence available in human patient outcomes in out-of-hospital CPA shows that teams led by non-physicians in administering CPR are non-inferior to teams led by physicians.[36][37] While no studies have been conducted to assess these dynamics in veterinary medicine, the available data suggests that the most important aspect of team dynamics impacting patient outcomes lies not in who is leading the team but in how effectively the team communicates with one another. This includes establishing clear roles, utilizing focused, clear communication to task individuals specifically, and using closed-loop communication.[38]