All patients treated by this hospital are required to have a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) code. Likely, we will not need this information, but as is common practice in human medicine, we would like you to think about how you would like us to proceed in the unlikely event of an emergency. CPR is the resuscitation of an animal that has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. Animals that survive cardiopulmonary arrest and have been successfully resuscitated (CPR) are extremely critical and unstable. The likelihood of re-arrest is HIGH and usually occurs within 4 hours of the initial arrest.
The chances of long term “normal” survival is usually less than 10%.
Management of the post-arrest patient requires vigilant monitoring and the technical expertise of dedicated critical care personnel at a specialty hospital, which may require transfer to another facility. The care is costly, and the outcome is uncertain.
Please select one of the choices below. If you have additional questions, please ask a staff member.
CPR - I wish the staff to perform closed-chest CPR (resuscitation) on my pet if my pet suffers from cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Resuscitation (CPR) of a collapsed or unconscious patient is tailored to meet the needs of the individual but may include any or all of the following:
- Establishing an airway via insertion of an endotracheal tube and administration of oxygen or medications through the tube.
- Establishing intravenous access via insertion of an intravenous catheter and administration of fluids and injectable medications through the catheter
- Chest compressions
- Intracardiac delivery of injectable medications
I accept that if the hospital staff is unable to reach me within 10 minutes after the initial CPR procedures, and after exercising reasonable medical judgment, determine that there is no hope for success, the staff will cease further CPR procedures. I understand that despite the best effort of the veterinarians and staff at this facility, even the most successful CPR that may restore my pet’s life may not allow for my pet to regain his/her normal mental and physical health.
If I request such emergency procedures, I agree to be held responsible for veterinary services provided to my pet while staff members pursue treatment and try to reach me for further directions. Regardless of my pet's recovery or survival, I agree to pay CPR fees in addition to other fees already identified by the practice and agreed upon by me. I understand that my pet may not respond to CPR and may die despite CPR. I also understand that if my pet responds to CPR it is likely that he/she will arrest again. I acknowledge that the initial cost of CPR is $500-$750 and that for necessary aftercare, I will transfer my pet to a specialty critical care monitoring hospital that could cost thousands more. I understand that the cost could substantially exceed this
estimate. I understand payment will be required either during my absence or immediately upon my return. I accept this financial responsibility and agree to pay for all services rendered. I understand that the staff will contact me immediately upon the initiation of CPR and if I am not available will proceed at the discretion and under the direction of the attending veterinarian until I can be reached.
DNR - I DO NOT want CPR performed on my pet.
I understand that if my pet suffers from cardiac or respiratory arrest, my pet will
die. I have elected to have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order placed on my pet’s record. I understand that even in this unlikely event, payment will be required for services rendered prior to my pet’s arrest. I accept this financial responsibility and agree to pay for all services rendered.