How do you resuscitate a rat? - briefly
Apply gentle chest compressions (≈250 beats/min) while delivering a few drops of warm, oxygenated saline into the trachea; if no heartbeat returns within 30 seconds, repeat the cycle and administer a brief dose of epinephrine (0.1 mg/kg IM) as needed.
How do you resuscitate a rat? - in detail
When a rodent shows no pulse or breathing, immediate intervention is essential. Follow a systematic approach that mirrors human cardiopulmonary resuscitation but adapts to the animal’s size and physiology.
First, confirm cardiac arrest. Place the rat on a warm, flat surface. Gently palpate the femoral artery or use a small Doppler probe to detect heartbeat. Observe chest wall movement; absence of spontaneous ventilation indicates the need for resuscitation.
Second, secure the airway. Position the head in slight extension by placing a thin, soft pad under the occiput. Insert a 22‑gauge catheter or a fine polyethylene tube (PE-10) through the oral cavity into the trachea, taking care to avoid laryngeal injury. Confirm placement by observing air movement or by delivering a brief burst of oxygen and noting chest rise.
Third, initiate ventilation. Connect the tube to a miniature ventilator or a syringe-driven bag‑valve system delivering 100 % oxygen at 0.5–1 mL per breath, with a rate of 80–100 breaths per minute. Adjust tidal volume to produce gentle chest expansion without over‑inflation.
Fourth, begin chest compressions. Locate the sternum and apply compressions with the thumb or a calibrated piston, delivering a depth of 1.5–2 mm at a frequency of 300–350 compressions per minute. Maintain a compression‑to‑ventilation ratio of 30:2, similar to the adult protocol, but monitor the rat’s thoracic excursion to ensure effectiveness.
Fifth, administer pharmacologic support if spontaneous circulation does not return within 2–3 minutes. A single intravenous bolus of epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg) can be given via the tail vein or a pre‑placed catheter. Consider a small dose of atropine (0.02 mg/kg) to counteract vagal bradycardia.
Sixth, reassess after each cycle of 30 compressions and two breaths. Check for pulse, heart rhythm (using a small ECG lead), and spontaneous breathing. If a pulse is detected, gradually wean ventilation and monitor blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation.
Finally, provide post‑resuscitation care. Maintain ambient temperature at 30–32 °C, supply humidified oxygen, and administer analgesics (e.g., buprenorphine 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously) to alleviate pain. Observe for neurological deficits and support with fluid therapy (0.5 mL sterile saline subcutaneously) to prevent hypovolemia.
The entire procedure should be performed by personnel trained in small‑animal emergency techniques, using sterile equipment and adhering to institutional animal welfare guidelines.