Savannah Cat CPR

Savannah Cat CPR is a combination of respiration and heart massage

If there is ever a need, it is important to know how to give a Savannah Cat CPR.  Artificial respiration is an emergency procedure to assist breathing in an unconscious cat.  Heart massage is used when no heartbeat can be heard or felt.  While the two combined make up cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR.  If breathing stops, heart stoppage follows shortly afterward and vice-versa.  That said it is important that breeders know how to administer both procedures to perform CPR on a Savannah Cat.

Many times, heart massage provides both movement of air and the pumping of blood.  For best results though, it is best to also do forced mouth to nose breathing.  It takes two people to do that technique.

The following emergencies may end up requiring artificial respiration, heart massage or both:

• Shock
• Poisoning
• Seizure
• Head Injury
• Electric Shock
• Obstructed Airways
• Sudden Death for any reason

Savannah Cat CPR, both parts explained:

Artificial Respiration

Either of two methods may be used.  First and easiest is the chest compression technique that consists of applying force to the chest wall.  This pushes air out of the lungs and allows the elastic recoil of the chest to draw air back in.

The second method is mouth to nose respiration and should be used when the chest compression method hasn’t worked or if the chest has been punctured.  The following are the steps for the mouth to nose method:

1. Feel for pulse or heartbeat.
2. Open mouth and clear away obstructions or secretions.  If impossible to reach or clear use the Heimlich Maneuver explained later in this article.
3. Lay the cat on a flat surface on its right side.
4. Squeeze the chest sharply from side to side and release quickly.  Repeat every four seconds.  Air leaving the lungs should be heard moving in and out.  If not proceed with mouth to nose resuscitation.
5. Leaving the mouth uncovered avoids the problem of over-inflation.
6. Continue until the cat breathes on its own or as long as the heart is beating.

Steps in Mouth to Nose Resuscitation

1. Feel for pulse or heartbeat.
2. Open mouth and clear away obstructions or secretions.  If impossible to reach or clear use the Heimlich Maneuver explained later in this article.
3. Lay the cat on a flat surface on its right side.
4. Compress the chest the chest firmly six times.  Wait for the chest to expand, then repeat.  The placement of the fingers should be on one side of the sternum, the thumbs on the other side directly behind the elbows.
5. Continue until the heart beats on its own, or until no heartbeat is felt for five minutes.

The Heimlich Maneuver

The sudden onset of severe coughing and respiratory distress in a healthy cat suggests a foreign body caught in the larynx.  Get immediate veterinarian attention.  However, if the cat collapses, he is not getting enough air and the Heimlich Maneuver needs performing right away.

1. Lay the cat on either side, head and chest down on the counter, table or floor.
2. Place your palm just behind the cat’s last rib and give four quick thrusts directed slightly upward while holding the cat from moving with the opposite hand. The maneuver thrusts the diaphragm up and produces a forceful exhalation or air.
3. Anything stuck in the throat should dislodge. Try to remove the item from the throat or mouth.
4. It not dislodged, repeat the procedure.

Most foreign bodies caught in the larynx are small and the action of a cat coughing a time or two will clear it.

Once you have successfully removed any obstruction or resuscitated your Savannah please have a full Veterinary check-up to look for any respiratory distress or illness such as Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, FIV, FIP or any other issues that may have brought on the attack.  Keep in mind, heart-stopping or breathing cessation may cause issues itself.