If your cat stops breathing after an accident, illness, or because he is choking, you need to act quickly to clear his airways and allow him to resume breathing. The idea of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a cat may scare you, but if you know the various steps to follow, the process will be easier. The best thing to do is get your pet to the vet's office immediately, but along the way, you can figure out if your cat needs to be resuscitated, check for a clear airway, and perform CPR. Keep reading this tutorial to find out more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding Out If Your Cat Needs CPR
Step 1. Take your pet to the vet at the first signs of a problem
The best thing you can do is to bring your cat to the doctor's attention immediately - this way you can avoid performing CPR yourself. The vet has all the appropriate equipment to manage each critical episode. Pay attention to the signs that indicate a serious health problem and take your feline friend to the vet if:
- Has difficulty in breathing;
- He loses consciousness;
- He is weak or lethargic;
- He suffered a serious injury;
- It is very bad.
Step 2. Assess if the cat is breathing
To understand this, you can observe the chest movements, feel the flow of air by placing a hand in front of his nose and mouth, or put a small mirror in front of the cat's muzzle and observe if he fogs up. If the animal is not breathing, you need to perform CPR.
Step 3. Check your heart rate
The presence or absence of a pulse will help you decide if CPR is appropriate. To feel the heartbeat, place two fingers on the inside of the cat's thigh and wait. If you have a stethoscope, you can use it to listen for heart sounds. If you do not feel any pulses, then you must proceed with the resuscitation protocol.
Step 4. Inspect the gums
Their color is another indicator of the need to perform an emergency maneuver. When healthy and normal, a cat's gums are pink; if they are bluish or gray, the animal may be lacking in oxygen. If they are white, it means that there is insufficient blood circulation. All of these factors help you decide whether or not to perform CPR.
Part 2 of 3: Perform CPR on the Cat
Step 1. Remove your cat (and yourself) from a dangerous situation
It may happen that you have to perform the resuscitation maneuver after the animal has been hit by a vehicle. If you are rescuing a cat on the road or driveway, first move it out of the traffic area and only then begin resuscitation.
If possible, ask someone to drive you to the nearest veterinary clinic or to your local veterinarian's office. This way, you can perform CPR as you go
Step 2. Place the unconscious or semi-conscious animal in the safety position
Make sure he is lying on his side and that there is a comfortable support under his body, such as a blanket or cloth. This step allows the cat to retain heat and feel a little better.
Step 3. Check the airways
While the animal lies on its side, tilt its head back slightly. Open his mouth and use your fingers to pull his tongue out. Look inside the throat for obstructions. If you see nothing, move your finger gently into his mouth to feel for any objects that might block your breathing. If you can feel an obstruction, consider whether you can remove it with your hands or if you need to use the abdominal compression method.
Do not try to extract small bones that are in the back of your cat's mouth, as they are part of his larynx
Step 4. If necessary, do abdominal compressions
If you are unable to unblock the obstruction from your throat using your fingers, you can follow this method. First, lift the cat so that its spine is resting against your chest. With the other hand, feel the body to locate the base of the rib cage. If the animal doesn't squirm, grab it with both hands at the point just below the last rib. If he is combative, hold him by the scruff with one hand, while placing the other closed in a fist under the last rib. Press your fist or clasp your hands to your body and push up. Repeat this squeeze five times.
- Do not attempt this maneuver if the cat is conscious or appears angry. Put him in a pet carrier and take him to the vet immediately.
- If the obstruction does not come out, you will need to turn the animal over and perform five blows on the back. Rest it on your forearm, so that your head hangs towards the floor; you have to support his body under the hips with your arm. With his free hand he identifies his shoulder blades; then, deliver five firm blows to the area between these bones using the palm of your hand.
- If the item doesn't unlock, try using your fingers again to pull it out, cycling through all methods until you can clear the airway.
- When the obstruction has been removed, continue with the resuscitation maneuver by checking breathing or begin the actual CPR, should it be necessary.
Step 5. Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as needed
If your cat is not breathing, you need to give artificial respiration right away by blowing twice. To proceed, close the pet's mouth with one hand and gently stretch its neck to straighten the airways. Keep his mouth closed, cup your hand around his nose, and rest your mouth on his muzzle.
- Blow directly into the cat's nose for a second.
- If you feel air entering the cat's body, exhale a second time and resume CPR if there is no pulse. If the heart is beating, but the cat is not breathing, continue at a rate of 10 puffs per minute until the animal resumes breathing spontaneously or you have reached the veterinary clinic.
- Remember to check your heart rate constantly, and if it stops, start with chest compressions. If air does not enter the cat's body, extend its neck and try again. If you're still unsuccessful, inspect his throat again for obstructions.
Step 6. Perform chest compressions as needed
Have the cat lie on its side and wrap one hand around its chest by placing it under its front paws. If you are in this position, you can perform compressions by squeezing the cat's rib cage. If you are unable to comfortably grasp the pet's chest or the position is not comfortable, place a hand on its side facing up. Then, place the base of the hand (near the wrist) against the animal's chest wall, keeping the elbows locked and the shoulders right above the hands.
- Depending on the technique you are performing (with one or two hands), squeeze or push down on the chest firmly, just enough to compress it to a third or half of its normal thickness. Wait for it to return to the starting position and repeat the squeeze.
- Don't lean on your chest and don't let it get partially compressed between thrusts.
- The rate should be 100-120 compressions per minute. A simple technique to respect this speed is to keep the beat of the song "Stayin 'Alive" by the Bee Gees.
- After performing the first 30 compressions, check the cat's airways and breathing. If he has started breathing spontaneously, then you need to stop.
Step 7. Continue with the resuscitation procedure
You should do this until the animal resumes breathing on its own and the heart is beating or until you reach the veterinary clinic. Follow this CPR cycle every 2 minutes:
- Perform 100-120 chest compressions per minute with one artificial respiration every 12 compressions.
- Check your pulse and breathing.
- Start over.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Your Cat After CPR
Step 1. Monitor your cat's breathing and pulse often
When he starts breathing on his own, keep him under close observation. If you haven't already, take him to the vet for a thorough checkup and to treat any wounds or bleeding.
- The intervention of the veterinarian is of vital importance. The animal needs to be examined for internal damage or fractures. In some cases, an emergency surgery is necessary after the vital signs have been stabilized.
- Your cat may still be in shock and in this case needs to be treated by a veterinarian.
Step 2. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding subsequent therapies
Be aware that your vet may keep your cat for observation in his or her office for a few days to get him back in full shape. Once you are discharged, remember to follow the instructions given to you to the letter. Administer medications as directed and monitor your cat carefully.
Step 3. Call your vet if your pet shows signs of a problem
When a cat has suffered severe trauma that required CPR, it could run the risk of other ailments and death. Tell your doctor immediately about any abnormal symptoms and schedule several regular check-ups to make sure your cat is okay.
Advice
- If you have to carry your cat in your lap or in the car, wrap it in a blanket to give it some comfort and safety (as well as to protect yourself).
- Consider signing up for a veterinary first aid course. If you learn how to perform CPR on animals, you can save their lives when there is no veterinarian available.
Warnings
- Never try to perform CPR on a healthy, conscious animal.
- A cat in pain has unpredictable behavior and may scratch or bite in self-defense or as a reaction to pain.
- Many cats that need cardiopulmonary resuscitation do not survive. Do your best to save the cat's life, but if you fail to do so, console yourself by thinking that you have done everything possible.
