Introduction
I'm a pet owner. I love my cat, care for her well-being, and know that she loves me back. But when she started having trouble breathing and collapsed on the floor while we were at home alone together, I thought to myself: What do I do? What if she dies right here in front of me? And then it hit me—I need to do something! So I did what any self-respecting pet owner would do: I ran outside and called the veterinarian for help. After that, I performed CPR on my dying cat until help arrived. And it worked! She survived thanks to the first responders who showed up just in time or thanks to my own efforts—I'll never know which one saved her life (but rest assured that both played a role). Regardless of how this story ends up playing out (we're still living happily together today), there are some things you should keep in mind if you ever find yourself in this situation with your pet...
How do I know if my pet is in trouble?
- Look for signs of trouble. If your pet is having trouble breathing, you need to act quickly.
- Be prepared for an emergency: Make sure that you have a good plan for your pet in case of an emergency.
- Heart problems and other ailments can appear suddenly--you'll be a lot calmer if you're prepared! Be sure to have a good plan for your pet in case of an emergency. Basic first aid can be lifesaving for your pet (and yourself). Training yourself on performing CPR on small animals may save its life if necessary--CPR training is available online or at many local animal hospitals or veterinarian offices.
The Resuscitation Process
The Resuscitation Process
The first step in performing CPR on a pet is to check for signs of life. If you're not sure whether or not your pet is breathing, give them a gentle shake or tap their shoulder. If they do not respond, move on to the next step: chest compressions.
If your pet has stopped breathing and shows no signs of life (e.g., no pulse), then it's time for some chest compressions! Chest compressions help pump blood through the body by squeezing its heart muscles and pushing blood through arteries into veins throughout the body. To perform this task correctly, place two fingers on either side of your pet's rib cage at about where his elbow would be if he were standing up straight--this is called intra-thoracic compression point (ITCP). Then press down hard enough so that about 1/3rd to 1/2 of an inch sinks into the flesh; take care not to push too hard or else it could damage internal organs like lungs or kidneys! Once done firmly applying pressure over ten seconds' time (which equals 60 beats per minute), release pressure slightly so there is less resistance against each subsequent compression stroke; keep repeating these steps until help arrives--you'll know when because then we'll have something better than CPR: oxygen!!
1. Call your veterinarian & get instructions from the vet.
- Call your veterinarian and get instructions from them.
- Tell the dispatcher that you are administering CPR and ask them to walk you through it step by step. Do not hang up until instructed to do so by a qualified medical professional on the scene or via phone call (if they can't be reached immediately).
- Do not give up until instructed to do so by a qualified medical professional on the scene or via phone call (if they can't be reached immediately).
2. Perform CPR on your pet.
- Use a pet CPR mask if you have one.
- Perform compressions on your pet's chest just as you would for human CPR: Push hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute (the same as for humans). Make sure that the chest rises with each compression.
- Don't forget to breathe into your pet's mouth every five seconds or so. This will help keep airways open and allow oxygenated blood to circulate through their bodies during the recovery process.
- If possible, move your pet out of the danger zone (such as away from any heat source) while performing CPR--but don't let go of them!
3. When is it time to give up on CPR?
If you can't feel a pulse or heartbeat, it's time to stop. If your pet is not breathing, stop. If the pupils are dilated and/or the gums are pale or blue, stop. If your pet has been choking and you cannot remove the obstruction, stop. If he or she has had a seizure (or seems like they might), call your vet right away and then discontinue CPR until help arrives--this is serious business! Finally, if it seems like your pet has suffered from some kind of stroke or other trauma that has rendered him unconscious (and therefore unable to breathe on his own), do not attempt resuscitation unless instructed by a professional veterinarian who knows what he's doing!
If you're comfortable with your pet and have confidence in yourself, it's better to try CPR than nothing at all.
If you're comfortable with your pet and have confidence in yourself, it's better to try CPR than nothing at all. You can't overdo it; it's better to stop if you don't feel comfortable. If the overall situation and your pet's condition are not favorable, don't be afraid to ask for help from others who may be nearby or call your veterinarian immediately.
- Is your pet conscious? Can you feel a heartbeat? Can they breathe on their own?
If the answer is yes: proceed with chest compressions (see below). If no: perform rescue breathing (see below) until medical assistance arrives or until signs of life return on their own
Conclusion
We hope you're now ready to perform CPR on your pet. Remember to keep calm and don't panic if things don't go as planned at first. If possible, practice on a stuffed animal or other non-living object before trying it on your pet. And if all else fails, remember that there are always people out there willing to help!