Cat Artificial Respiration

1- If a cat stopped breathing, but it’s heart is still beating, remove the collar and place it on its side, with the head leaned backwards so that blood can reach the brain.

2- Clean any blood or vomit from the mouth.

3- Pull out the tongue so that the throat opens. This will stimulate the cat to start breathing again and regain conscious.

4- If this does not happen, press the chest with the palm of your hand in a short and intense manner. This takes air out of the lungs, letting them fill back up with fresh air. Repeat every five seconds until the cat starts breathing again.

5- If there are no vital signs after thirty seconds, try mouth to nose respiration: place the cats head back, keep it’s mouth closed and blow through the nose for a second to fill the lungs. Wait two seconds and repeat.

6- Continue until the cat starts breathing.

Note: don’t leave an unconscious cat laying on one side for more than 10 minutes; turn it around because the lungs can get congested and cause pneumonia.

Controlling Bleeding
If a wound bleed profusely, apply a cold compress firmly over the wound to stop blood flow. Don’t use disinfectants. If the bleeding doesn’t stop in a few minutes consult a veterinarian.

Treating Shock
When a cat goes into shock, a lack of blood in the circulatory system is produced and it may die. Signs of shock are panting, rapid and superficial breathing, and incapability of remaining on it’s feet. The pupils will be enlarged, the ears and paws cold, and the gums will appear very pale. The cat need heat and liquid. Wrap it in a blanket or newspaper, aluminum foil or plastic to conserve body heat. Don’t apply direct heat, such as a hot water bag, because it takes blood away from the brain and internal organs and sends it to the skin. Offer it a warm drink.

Poisoning
Signs of poisoning depend on the ingested substance, but include drooling, severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, staggering, convulsions and abnormal eye movement.

Contact a veterinarian and explain what the cat ingested, if you know. There are antidotes for some poisons, for example, vitamin K injections are the most common antidote for rat poison, but the treatment has to be immediate. Don’t induce vomiting, unless the veterinarian advises so. If the cat has paint or oil on the fur, don’t use solvents to clean it, they are also very toxic. Loosen it with petroleum jelly, bathe it with hot soppy water and dry it well.

Burns
If your cat is burned, apply a large amount of water for a few minutes. This will relieve the pain and can avoid skin loss. In severe cases, treat as if a shock and seek veterinarian help. Never apply butter or cream on a burnt skin, it will only increase swelling.

Drowning
After being rescued from the water, a conscious cat must be wrapped in a towel to stay warm.

1- If it is unconscious, hold the head down under the back legs, and balance it forwards and backwards to take out the water in its lungs.

2- Place it on it’s side, with the head below the chest. Clean the mouth and pull the tongue forward. This will stimulate breathing, but if it doesn’t, try artificial respiration.