having difficulty breathing unconscious weak of lethargic severely injured severely ill[1] X Research source
If possible, have someone drive you and the cat to the nearest animal hospital or your veterinarian. That way you can perform CPR on the way.
Do not try to remove the tiny bones in the back of a cat’s mouth. These are part of the cat’s larynx. [7] X Research source
Do not attempt to do this if your cat is conscious and seems upset. Put him in a carrier and take him to the veterinarian right away. [8] X Research source If the object does not come out; you should turn your cat over and give him five blows on the back. Position the cat over your forearm so his head is dangling toward the floor and you are supporting his body with your arm under his hips. Use the hand not holding the cat to locate the shoulder blades. With the open palm of your free hand, strike the cat sharply between the shoulder blades five times. If the object does not dislodge, try using your finger to remove it again, and keep cycling through the removal methods until you remove the object. Once the object is dislodged, move on to check the cat’s breathing, and begin or continue CPR procedures as needed.
Breathe directly into the cat’s nose for 1 second. If you feel the breath go in, give another breath and resume CPR if the cat has no heartbeat. If the cat has a heartbeat but is not breathing, continue rescue breathing at a rate of 10 breaths per minute until the cat breathes on his own or you reach help. Make sure to keep checking the cat for a heartbeat, and if it ceases, begin compressions. If the breath does not go in, straighten the neck and try again. If it still does not go in, recheck for an obstruction.
Depending on whether you are using one hand or two, squeeze or push down on the chest hard enough to compress it to 1/3 to 1/2 of its normal depth, and then, allow it to return to normal depth before compressing it again. Avoid leaning on the chest or allowing it to remain partially compressed between compressions. The rate of the compressions should be 100 to 120 per minute. A common recommendation is to compress the chest to the beat of the Bee Gees’ song, “Stayin’ Alive. " After giving the first 30 compressions, check the cat’s airway and breathing again. If the cat has resumed breathing on its own again, then you can stop performing the compressions.
Deliver 100-120 chest compressions per minute along with one rescue breath for every 12 compressions. [9] X Research source [10] X Research source Check for heartbeat and respiration. Repeat the cycle.
A vet visit is vital. Your cat needs to be checked for internal injuries and fractures or broken bones. In some cases, emergency surgery may be required after she has stabilized. Your pet may still be in shock. A cat in shock must be treated by the vet.
