How can you revive a mouse? - briefly
Apply a brief hypothermic shock (30‑60 seconds on ice), then rapidly rewarm with 37 °C saline while stimulating breathing; if the heart stops, perform gentle cardiac massage and give a low dose of epinephrine, monitoring pulse throughout.
How can you revive a mouse? - in detail
When a mouse appears lifeless, immediate assessment is essential. Check for breathing and a pulse by gently feeling the chest and listening for airflow. If no signs of respiration are present, begin emergency resuscitation without delay.
- Airway clearance – Position the animal on its back, extend the neck slightly, and use a fine, sterile tube or a soft plastic pipette to clear any obstruction from the mouth and nostrils.
- Ventilation – Deliver gentle breaths using a small syringe (1 ml capacity) attached to a flexible tubing. Inflate the lungs slowly, allowing the chest to rise, then release. Perform 10–12 breaths per minute.
- Chest compressions – Place two fingers over the lower third of the sternum. Apply compressions at a depth of 0.3 mm, at a rate of 300–400 per minute, synchronized with ventilation.
- Circulatory support – If a pulse is still absent after two minutes of combined compressions and breaths, administer a warmed isotonic solution (e.g., sterile saline) via a peripheral vein or the retro‑orbital sinus, using a 30‑gauge needle. Volume: 10 µl per gram of body weight, infused slowly.
- Temperature regulation – Maintain body temperature at 37 °C with a heating pad or warm water bath. Monitor core temperature with a fine thermocouple probe inserted rectally.
- Oxygen supplementation – Provide 100 % oxygen through a small facemask or a sealed chamber, delivering flow at 0.5 L/min for the first five minutes.
- Monitoring – Observe heart rate, respiratory rhythm, and reflexes (e.g., paw pinch). Record readings every minute. If spontaneous activity returns, continue supportive care for at least 30 minutes before considering the animal stable.
If resuscitation fails after ten minutes of continuous effort, seek professional veterinary assistance promptly. Ethical guidelines require that any attempt to restore life be followed by proper post‑procedure care, including analgesia, hydration, and observation for delayed complications such as hypoxia or cardiac arrhythmia. Documentation of the incident, interventions performed, and outcomes is recommended for future reference and compliance with institutional animal welfare protocols.