How can you resuscitate a live mouse? - briefly
First, clear the airway and gently stimulate respiration with a warm, moist cotton tip. Then, perform one to two brief chest compressions while delivering a few drops of warm sterile saline into the nostrils to restore circulation.
How can you resuscitate a live mouse? - in detail
When a mouse shows signs of cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, immediate intervention follows the same principles used for small mammals. The procedure consists of assessment, airway management, ventilation, chest compressions, and post‑resuscitation care.
First, place the animal on a warm, dry surface and evaluate responsiveness. Gently stimulate the hind limbs and monitor for any spontaneous movements or breathing. If no response is observed, check the pulse by palpating the femoral artery or using a Doppler flow detector.
Airway clearance is essential. Open the mouth with a fine forceps, insert a 20‑gauge catheter, and suction any secretions. If the trachea is obstructed, perform a brief endotracheal intubation using a 22‑gauge tube; secure the tube without excessive force to avoid trauma.
Ventilation should begin immediately. Connect the catheter or endotracheal tube to a small‑volume ventilator or a manual syringe delivering 0.2–0.3 ml of room‑air breaths at a rate of 80–100 breaths per minute. Observe chest rise to confirm effective ventilation.
If a pulse is absent, initiate chest compressions. Position two fingers over the left thoracic cavity, just caudal to the forelimbs. Deliver compressions at a depth of 0.3–0.5 mm (approximately 10–15 % of the thoracic diameter) and a rate of 300–400 compressions per minute. Alternate compressions with ventilations in a 30:2 ratio, maintaining synchronization throughout the cycle.
Administer pharmacological support only if trained and authorized. A single dose of epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection can augment cardiac output. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure with a small animal monitor; adjust ventilation and compression parameters based on real‑time feedback.
After return of spontaneous circulation, keep the mouse on a heated pad (37 °C) and observe for at least 15 minutes. Provide supplemental oxygen (1–2 L/min) via a flow‑through chamber, and ensure hydration with sterile saline (0.5 ml subcutaneously). Record the event, including time to ROSC, interventions used, and any complications.
All procedures must conform to institutional animal care guidelines and be performed by personnel trained in small‑animal emergency techniques. Failure to act within the first minute substantially reduces survival probability.