How can you resuscitate a mouse? - briefly
Place the mouse on a 37 °C warming pad, clear any airway obstruction, and perform chest compressions at 200–300 beats per minute with a 1 mm depth while delivering 1‑2 µL of oxygenated saline into the trachea using a fine pipette.
How can you resuscitate a mouse? - in detail
Resuscitating a mouse requires rapid assessment, appropriate equipment, and adherence to aseptic technique. Begin by confirming the animal’s condition: check for lack of breathing, absence of pulse at the femoral artery, and unresponsiveness to tactile stimuli. If the mouse is unresponsive, proceed immediately.
- Temperature control – Place the mouse on a pre‑warmed heating pad (37 °C) to prevent hypothermia, which can worsen cardiac depression.
- Airway clearance – Gently open the mouth with a fine forceps, inspect for obstructions, and clear any secretions using a sterile cotton swab.
- Ventilation – Attach a small‑volume syringe (0.5 ml) to a 22‑gauge catheter inserted into the trachea. Deliver 0.1–0.2 ml of warm sterile saline or oxygen‑rich air per breath, repeating at 80–120 breaths per minute for 30–60 seconds.
- Chest compressions – Position the thumb over the sternum and apply rhythmic compressions at 200–300 beats per minute, depth of 0.2–0.3 mm. Continue for 15–20 seconds while monitoring for cardiac activity.
- Pharmacologic support – If spontaneous circulation does not return, administer epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, followed by a dose of atropine (0.1 mg/kg) to counteract bradycardia.
- Monitoring – Observe for the return of a regular heartbeat, respiratory movements, and purposeful locomotion. Maintain temperature and provide supplemental oxygen until stable.
If the mouse does not respond after three cycles of ventilation and compressions combined with pharmacologic intervention, consider euthanasia according to institutional animal care guidelines. Documentation of timing, interventions, and outcomes is essential for both ethical compliance and scientific reproducibility.