First Aid for Cats: Shock, Rescue Breathing, and CPR

Medical emergencies occur suddenly and without warning. It is important for cat owners to have a basic understanding of common veterinary emergencies and basic first aid for their pets.

While no one can be prepared for all emergencies, there are some simple guidelines and things to look for if your cat seems ill or is involved in an accident.

What is first aid?

First aid is the initial treatment given in a medical emergency. Its purpose is to preserve life, reduce pain and discomfort, and minimize risk of permanent disability or disfigurement.

In an emergency, what should I do first?

1. Keep calm and assess the scene for any additional threats to you or your pet. This step is important for everyone’s safety.
2. Keep your cat warm (except in heat stroke), as quiet as possible, and move them as little as possible, especially if there is possible trauma, broken limbs, or any neurological symptoms.
3. Contact your veterinary hospital to inform them of the situation and get specific first aid advice.
4. To safely move or transport an injured cat, use a suitable container, such as a strong cardboard box or a cat carrier. Remove the top of the carrier for easy and safe access; DO NOT push an injured cat through the small door or opening). Place a blanket or thick towel over the patient.
5. Get to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

How can I restrain or calm an injured cat?

Most injured animals will be panicked and/or disoriented. The stress of an emergency can cause an otherwise friendly animal to act aggressively. Although most panicky cats respond to a calm, soothing voice, use caution when approaching or touching any injured animal. It is important to ensure the safety of all rescue personnel attempting to assist an injured animal.

Some types of restraint that can ensure the safety of both dogs and humans include:

Wrapping: You can drape a towel over the cat’s head to provide some measure of protection. You can also wrap the body of a frightened or unmanageable cat in a blanket or towel. Do not constrict the trachea or airway. If possible, leave the head exposed, unless your cat is very aggressive. Use caution if you are suspicious of a fractured bone or spinal injury.

Immobilizing: If you are suspicious of a spinal injury, lay your cat in a large box.

Muzzles can be difficult to put on a cat due to the shape of most cats' faces. There are muzzles designed for cats, but they are rarely handy when an emergency strikes.

What is shock?

Shock is a complex, systemic (whole-body) reaction to an emergency situation, such as severe trauma, blood loss, heart failure, and other causes of decreased circulation (e.g., severe and sudden allergic reaction and heat stroke). A life-threatening drop in blood pressure is a dangerous part of shock. If not treated quickly and effectively, systemic shock may cause irreversible injury to body cells and can be fatal.

What are the signs of shock?

Clinical signs of systemic shock include rapid breathing (which may be noisy), rapid heart rate with a weak pulse, pale mucous membranes (gums, lips, under eyelids), severe depression (listlessness), and cool extremities (limbs and ears). Your cat may vomit.

What should I do if my cat is showing signs of shock?

Keep your cat as quiet as possible and try to conserve heat by covering them with blankets, towels, or even newspapers. Follow the A-B-Cs of first aid:

A: Airway

B: Breathing

C: Cardiac function

Airway: Anything that obstructs the airway prevents oxygen from entering the lungs. Do your best to clear the mouth and throat of any obstruction (e.g., vomit, saliva, or other foreign material). Be careful — your cat may bite you in panic.

Breathing: If your cat is unconscious and does not appear to be breathing, try gently pumping the chest with the palm of your hand, while feeling just behind the elbow to detect a heartbeat or pulse. If unsuccessful, perform rescue breathing (see below). Be careful — injured pets may bite you out of fear. If you are unsure about the health or vaccination status of the injured pet, avoid contact with bodily fluids and blood.

Cardiac function: If you can’t detect a heartbeat or pulse, or if it feels weak and slow, try pressing on the chest with your palm and elevating the lower half of the body to promote blood flow to the brain. Follow the CPR steps below.

How do I perform rescue breathing for my cat?

If your cat is unresponsive, ensure there is an open airway.

1. Carefully pull the tongue out of the mouth.
2. Extend the head and neck so that they are in a straight line. DO NOT overextend the neck if your cat has obvious head and neck trauma.
3. Carefully clear the mouth of any debris that may be obstructing breathing.
4. Place your hand over your cat’s muzzle while holding the mouth shut and extend the neck. For cats, you can sometimes use a Styrofoam cup or similar item over the cat’s face. Poke a large hole in the bottom of the cup for you to breathe through, and put the opening over your cat’s face. Ensure a relatively tight seal around the muzzle.
5. Blowing into the nostrils, give three to five breaths and watch for the chest to rise. If you do not see a rise in the chest, reposition the neck or search for airway obstruction. For rescue breathing, provide 10 breaths per minute.
6. If your cat fails to breathe on its own, you may attempt an acupressure maneuver. Press firmly with your fingernail or another hard dull object in the space between the nostrils and the upper lip (nasal philtrum). Do this for 10 – 30 seconds.

What if my cat requires CPR?

If there are still no obvious signs of life after you have established an airway and begun rescue breathing, you should attempt chest compressions.

1. Make sure there is no major bleeding. If there is bleeding, have an assistant manage the bleeding while you perform CPR.
2. If possible, lay your cat on its right side.
3. Feel for a heartbeat or femoral pulse. The femoral pulse is located inside the leg in the groin region. A cat’s neck pulse is not easy to feel.
4. Bend the left forearm and note the location where the elbow touches the chest. This is close to the middle of the rib cage.
5. Use one hand to compress the chest from both sides by putting your fingers on one side and your thumb on the other side of the chest. Compress the chest 100 – 120 times per minute. The rate should be about 30 compressions for every two breaths.
6. Try to compress the chest wall at least 30% – 50%, which is about 1 inch (2 cm) in the average cat.

Is there anything else I should know?

After being involved in an emergency or accident, it is important to take your cat for a veterinary examination as soon as possible, even if she appears to have recovered fully.