Artificial Respiration and Heart Massage



Artificial respiration is an emergency procedure used to exchange air in an unconscious cat who is not breathing. Heart massage is used when no heartbeat can be heard or felt.

When heart massage is combined with artificial respiration, it is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). When a cat stops breathing, heart function soon also stops, and vice versa. It is therefore important to know both aspects of CPR.

One person can perform CPR, but it is easier if two people are available. One does the breathing and the other does the heart massage.

The following emergencies may require artificial respiration or CPR:

  • .     Coma
  • ·         Electric shock
  • ·         Head injury
  • ·         Metabolic problems
  • ·         Obstructed airway (choking)
  • ·         Poisoning
  • ·         Prolonged seizure
  • ·         Shock
  • ·         Sudden death
  • ·         Trauma

Before you begin any emergency aid, you need to determine how much help your cat needs and of what type. If your cat is awake and resists any of this treatment, he does not need it.

Artificial Respiration or CPR?


Is the cat breathing?

Observe the If YES, pull out the tongue and clear the rise and fall of the chest. Feel for air airway. You may need to clear the airway against your cheek.

By gently opening the mouth and wiping with your finger to be sure, nothing is stuck or collecting in the mouth or opening to the airway, such as vomit.

Observe the cat.

If NO, feel for a pulse.Does the cat have a pulse?

Feel for If YES, start artificial respiration. The femoral artery located in the groin.

If NO, start CPR or feel the chest carefully to detect a heartbeat.

Put your hand under and around the cat’s chest and compress very lightly to feel for a heartbeat.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION


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

2. Open his mouth and clear any secretions with a cloth or handkerchief. Check for a foreign body. If present, remove it if possible. If it is impossible to reach or dislodge,

3. Pull the tongue forward and close the mouth. Place your mouth over the cat’s nose (but not the mouth). Blow gently into the cat’s nostrils. The chest will expand. Remember, gentle blowing you should not be blowing hard enough to inflate a balloon.

4. Release to let the air come back out. Excess air will escape through the cat’s lips, preventing over inflation of the lungs and overdistension of the stomach.

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

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

7. Continue until the cat breathes on his own, or as long as the heart continues to beat.

CPR


CRP is a combination of artificial respiration and heart massage. If a cat needs heart massage, he also needs artificial respiration. On the other hand, if the cat resists your attempts to perform CPR, he probably does not need it!

1. Continue with mouth-to-nose breathing.

2. Prepare for heart massage. Place your fingers and thumb on either side of the cat’s sternum or chest, behind his elbows.

3. Compress the chest firmly 6 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 2 minutes for 10 to 15 seconds to check for a pulse and spontaneous breathing.


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

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