A grieving Langford pet owner is hoping to use her tragedy to help others.
When Becky McLeod took her Bernese mountain dog Dixie to Victoria International Airport to welcome home husband Dean from a business trip, what should have been a joyful family reunion became an emergency situation when the pet suddenly collapsed.
鈥淲e thought she might have slipped, but then she didn't get back up,鈥� said Becky McLeod.
Desperate to save their pet, the couple tried to give the dog cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 鈥淚 was blowing through her nose, and my husband tried to do chest compressions, but we weren't sure if we were doing it right,鈥� said McLeod.
Passersby came to their aid, offering guidance on how to give CPR to dogs, using information they found online.
Another good samaritan named Tara offered to drive the couple to the nearest veterinary clinic in Sidney, so they could continue to give Dixie first aid while they travelled.
鈥淲e were so upset and didn't know where the vet was 鈥� Tara knew how to get there,鈥� said McLeod.
To the kind strangers who offered help in their time of need on March 10, McLeod says she cannot thank them enough.
鈥淲e're grateful for everyone at the airport who tried to help us,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was very traumatic.鈥�
But sadly, despite their efforts, it was not possible to revive Dixie, who died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a rare heart muscle disease.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like a widow maker for humans, but in a dog form,鈥� explained McLeod. 鈥淪he could have fallen asleep and not woken up 鈥� it could have happened at any time."
While they have learned that CPR would not have helped Dixie in her situation, McLeod and her husband hope their story might encourage others to learn the basics of pet first aid.
鈥淣ot knowing really what to do in that situation was super stressful,鈥� she said. "If we can help even just one person be able to help their pet in that situation, that would make a difference."
Managing veterinarian at Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic, Dr. John Basterfield agrees there should be more awareness of what to do in an emergency.
鈥淜nowing how to perform CPR for people and pets is a valuable thing to know,鈥� he said.
However, with dogs coming in many shapes and sizes, he cautions that there is no 'one size fits all' technique.
"I would recommend pet owners to ask their veterinarians for specific recommendations on how to perform CPR on their pet, as this is not something that is normally covered during routine examinations," says Basterfield.
PetMD advises against performing CPR on an animal if you are alone. Instead, immediately take them to the closest veterinarian or 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital.
It is also important to check that the animal is not breathing before proceeding to give CPR 鈥� a lifesaving procedure which includes both chest compressions and mouth-to-snout breathing.
"If your pet is responsive or breathing, they do not need CPR 鈥� even if they are unconscious," writes Dr. Veronica Higgs for PetMD. "However, you must get them to an emergency vet clinic as soon as possible.
"If your dog is not responding when you call their name or shake them, is not breathing, and is allowing you to open their jaw with no resistance, start CPR immediately."
Also, if a dog is very elderly, has health problems or severe injuries, experts say CPR is unlikely to be successful and may not be the kindest option for the animal.
As well as raising awareness about pet first aid, Dixie鈥檚 death has also been used as a learning opportunity at the Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic, explains McLeod, who says the dog鈥檚 heart has been used to study the effects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
鈥淲e're trying to take all the positives, as much as we can, from this really awful, tragic situation,鈥� she said.
As they try to adjust to life without Dixie, McLeod says she takes comfort from the impact the "gentle giant" had on the wider community.
Managing and living next door to Summer Breeze Childcare centre, McLeod says Dixie was a constant in many people's lives. 鈥淭here's like 100 children that would see her on a daily basis, their families too, she was part of everybody's day.
鈥淪he definitely stole everyone's heart, it was impossible not to love her.鈥�
For guidance on how to perform CPR, read the information on the PetMD website: www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-to-perform-cpr-on-a-dog.
