Just like humans, dogs and cats rely on their heart and lungs to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) occurs when the heart stops beating effectively and breathing stops. Without immediate intervention, CPA rapidly becomes fatal.
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed when a patient experiences cardiopulmonary arrest. The goal of CPR is to restore circulation and breathing and give the patient the best possible chance of survival.
CPR may include:
Chest compressions to circulate blood throughout the body
Airway management, including placement of an endotracheal tube
Ventilation to provide oxygen to the lungs
Emergency medications to support heart and circulatory function
Defibrillation in rare cases where a shockable heart rhythm is present
Advanced monitoring to evaluate heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygenation, and response to treatment
Important Information About CPR
While our medical team is trained in advanced CPR techniques and will make every effort to achieve a successful outcome, CPR is often unsuccessful despite appropriate treatment.
Current veterinary studies show that:
- Most patients experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest do not survive to discharge from the hospital.
- Approximately 5% to 7% of dogs survive to hospital discharge following CPR.
- Approximately 1% to 19% of cats survive to hospital discharge following CPR.
- Survival rates vary depending on the underlying disease process, anesthetic status, overall health, and whether the arrest was witnessed and treated immediately.
- Patients that are successfully resuscitated may require intensive hospitalization and ongoing critical care.
CPR Authorization
Please indicate your wishes should your pet experience cardiopulmonary arrest during hospitalization.