-
Step 1
Take your dog to the veterinary hospital immediately if he is unconscious. When you can’t awaken a dog by rubbing or calling his name, he isn't just asleep, he's lost consciousness. A vet must see an unconscious dog quickly to assess the problem.
-
Step 2
Call the vet right away if your dog has collapsed and can’t stand up. When a dog suffers a cardiac event, his legs may not be able to hold him. A dog who can’t stand up is exhibiting emergency symptoms, even if he is conscious.
-
Step 3
Notice if your dog is gasping for breath, not just panting after exertion. When a dog’s heart muscle goes into cardiac arrest, it may not pump sufficiently to supply oxygen to the rest of his body, creating a condition where he gasps, unsuccessfully, in an attempt to force oxygen through his circulatory system.
-
Step 4
Alert your veterinarian if your dog is already taking digoxin for a heart condition and he is now vomiting or showing symptoms of diarrhea. Prescribed for chronic heart disease, digoxin can cause a heart arrhythmia. Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of an emergency in a dog taking digoxin.
-
Step 5
Check your dog’s gums if he is having trouble breathing. Pink gums are a sign of healthy circulation, but a dog suffering from a cardiac emergency may have gums that appear white, blue or bright red.
-
Step 6
Learn to resuscitate a dog whose heart has stopped (see Resources below).
