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Introduction:
Hopefully CPR is
something that you will never have to use, but sometimes
accidents happen & there isn't enough time to get the cat to the
vet for treatment, and it will fall on you, the cat's carer to
intervene with emergency first aid in order to keep your cat
alive until you arrive at the veterinarian's surgery & he/she
can take over.
What is CPR?
CPR stands for
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR for short). It is a
combination of mouth to mouth resuscitation & external heart
compressions. The purpose of this is to restore oxygen rich
circulation to the brain. Without oxygen, the cat will quickly
die.
The following
emergencies may require CPR:
Shock, poisoning,
prolonged seizure, coma, head injury, electric shock, obstructed
airways.
There are three
basic parts to CPR. ABC which stands for airway, breathing &
circulation.
Before you
begin CPR on your cat:
There are many
possible reasons your cat's heart may have stopped, some of
which may be the result of an accident such as being hit by a
car or electrocution. If your cat has been electrocuted is the
danger still there? Before you touch your cat, ensure the
electrical source has been turned off or moved. If your cat has
been hit by a car & is still in the road, ensure that it is safe
before going to the cat.
Once you are with
your cat you will need to check if your cat's heart has stopped.
To check this use the following methods;
-
Place your palm
flat against his/her lower chest directly behind the left
front elbow to feel for a heartbeat.
-
Observe the rise
& fall of the chest.
-
Feel for a
pulse. To do this, feel for the femoral artery which is
located close to the surface on the inside of the thigh at the
groin. I found it difficult to find the femoral artery to
check the pulse, another method which I found much easier was
to feel the heartbeat. To do this press against the rib cage
over the heart. With the cat standing, feel the pulse just
behind the elbow. See image below.
Airway:
Breathing (artificial
respiration):
If your cat isn't
breathing but has a heartbeat then you will need to do
artificial respiration on him/her. This must begin within
minutes, so start artificial respiration immediately.
-
Lay the cat on a
flat surface with it's right side down. Tilt the head so the
neck offers a straight passage into the lungs. Pull the tongue
forward.
-
Place one hand
around the muzzle to keep the mouth closed.
-
Put your mouth
completely over your cat's nose & mouth & blow gently into the
cat's nostrils. Watch to see if the lungs expand. Release to
let the air come back out.
-
Give 20 breaths
per minute until the cat breathes on it's own or you reach a
veterinarian.
Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR):
This combines both
artificial respiration with heart compressions.
If the cat isn't
breathing & it's heart has also stopped you will need to begin
CPR. It is best if
there are two people to perform this, one for the breathing & one
for the chest compressions.
-
Place your cat
on it's right side, on a flat, firm surface
-
Continue
artificial respiration
-
Place the
fingers & thumb on either side of the sternum, behind the
elbows. Squeeze firmly, pressing in about 1 inch. Massage rate
is 80 to 120 compressions per minute.
-
Perform 5
compressions for each breath.
-
Pause every 2
minutes to check for a pulse & spontaneous breathing.
-
Continue until
the heart beats & the cat breathes on it's own, or until you
reach the veterinarian.
If your cat hasn't
been revived within 20 minutes there is little chance that it
will be saved.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
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