Advance directives are instructions provided by pet owners in advance, to guide veterinarians as to what, if any, life sustaining treatments should be provided to a pet in the event of a medical emergency.
These instructions are crucial, especially if an owner cannot be reached in a safe or timely manner.
For pets that have been admitted to the hospital for a surgical or medical procedure that may or may not require sedation or general anesthesia, an advance care directive must be on file.
It's understandable that discussing emergency resuscitation for pets can be a challenging topic, but it's an important conversation to have.
Knowing what emergency resuscitation entails and understanding the procedures involved, can help pet owners make informed decisions. CPS, including chest compressions and drug administration like epinephrine, along with manual ventilation, are vital components of resuscitation efforts. However, it's also important to recognize that despite best efforts, survival rate for pets experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest are relatively low.
Each pet owner's decision regarding resuscitation is deeply personal and may depend on various factors, such as the pet's age, health status and the presence of terminal illness. Regardless of the decision, our staff is well-trained to handle emergency situations with care and professionalism.
Owners may elect at any point to change their decision.
We want to encourage pet owners to discuss their wishes and expectations regarding emergency care with their families and veterinarians beforehand. This proactive approach helps ensure that everyone involved is prepared and understands the course of action to take in a life-threatening situation, reducing anxiety and enabling prompt and appropriate care for the pet.