Do you know what to do to try and save your cat?

Instructions for Administering CPR to your Cat

"Artificial breathing is an emergency procedure used to exchange air
in the unconscious cat. Heart massage is used when no heartbeat can be
heard or felt. When heart massage is combined with artificial
breathing, it is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As
cessation of breathing is soon followed by heart stoppage and vice
versa, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is most often required in the
life threatening situation. The following emergencies may
require artificial breathing or CPR: Shock Head Injury Poisoning
Electric Shock Prolonged Seizure Obstructed Airways (choking) Coma
Sudden Death


IS THE CAT BREATHING? Observe rise and fall of the chest. Feel for air
against your cheek.


If YES, pull out tongue, clear airway. Observe.


If NO, feel for pulse.


DOES THE CAT HAVE A PULSE? Feel for the femoral artery located in the
groin.


If YES, employ Artificial breathing.


If NO, employ CPR


ARTIFICIAL BREATHING (MOUTH-TO-NOSE BREATHING)


1. Lay the cat on a flat surface with its right side down.


2. Open the mouth and clear secretions. Check for a foreign body. If
found, remove. If impossible to reach, execute the Heimlich manuever.


3. Pull the tongue forward and close the mouth. Place your mouth over
the cat's nose. Blow gently into the cat's nostrils. The chest will
expand. Release to let the air come back out. Excess air will escape
through the cat's lips, preventing overinflation of the lungs and
overdistension of the stomach.


4. If the chest does not rise and fall, blow more forcefully; or if
necessary, lightly seal the lips with your hand.


5. The breathing rate is one every four to five seconds (12 to 15 per
minute).


6. Continue until the cat breathes on its own, or as long as the heart
beats.


CPR (ARTIFICIAL BREATHING AND HEART MASSAGE)


1. Continue with mouth-to-nose breathing.


2. Prepare for heart massage. Place the fingers and thumb on either
side of the sternum, behind the elbows.


3. Compress the chest firmly six times; administer a breath. Then
repeat. Massage rate is 80 to 120 compressions per minute.


4. If possible, do not stop heart massage while administering a
breath.


5. Pause every two minutes for 10 to 15 seconds to check for pulse and
spontaneous breathing.


6. Continue until the heart beats and the cat breathes on its own, or
until no heartbeat is felt for 30 minutes."