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After reading about the awesome fire fighter who preformed CPR on a cat I got to thinking.  What if my cats needed CPR?  What on earth would I do?  It's safe to say that I better learn.  It's irresponsible of me not to know how to administer first aid and CPR on my pets. They could choke on cat treats, or anything that's around the house that they shouldn't get their little paws on.  By the way, that is a daily occurrence!  No, I'm not a bad Meowmie. Cats are just too curious and even the sweetest baby has a naughty side.  I find myself saying, "NO", "Drop it mister", "That's not for kitties" in my sleep.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is a version of artificial respiration that includes assisting the heart to BEAT. The purpose of CPR is to keep oxygen moving to the lungs and blood circulating throughout the body.

THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR FELINES. While these instructions may be good in an emergency, it is wise to check with your VET to establish the procedure that is best for your CAT. Also let them know you may be on your way in!

How to Administer CPR

If your CAT is NOT breathing use a finger to clear any mucus or other objects from the mouth. TILT the head back to straighten the airway passage.

Hold the mouth shut with one hand, and place your mouth over the CAT'S nose and mouth making sure the seal is tight.

Blow into the nose while watching to see if the chest expands.

If the chest DOES NOT EXPAND start over again by clearing the mouth. If the chest DOES EXPAND release your CAT'S mouth so it can exhale.

Repeat the breathing procedure once every five (5) seconds until your CAT is breathing normally, or until your Vet or other Emergency Technician is available to begin treatment.

IF YOU CANNOT DETECT A HEARTBEAT YOU MUST PERFORM ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH CARDIAC RESUSCITATION.

PUT your CAT on its right side.
PUT the fingers of your hand on the ribcage just behind the elbow.
PUT your other hand's fingers on top of the first hand's fingers.

Firmly press on the ribcage in quick, smooth movements. Depending on the size of your CAT press down 3-4 inches using both hands. The compression should last no longer than 1/2 second.

Repeat this procedure a total of 10 times.

Then, if your pet is not breathing, perform CPR as described above.

Alternate between the chest compressions (10 in a row), and one breath into the pet's nose.

Even after your cat starts breathing again PLEASE PLEASE take them to the vet. Though I hope by now one has arrived at your home, or you're on the way in.

Before I close, I'd like to add a list of items you should have in a first aid kit for your pets. I keep a kit seperate from our "people" kit. You don't have to, I just do.

A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
Can of soft cat food (or dog food)
Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe
Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants
Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid in order to bathe an animal after skin contamination
Rubber gloves to prevent you from being exposed while you bathe the animal
Forceps to remove stingers
Muzzle to keep the animal from hurting you while it is excited or in pain
Pet carrier to help carry the animal to your local veterinarian

**your first aid kit near by because if your cats are like mine, you're probably going to be injured while trying to fix your fur-kid.