Your pet has been admitted for hospitalization. The team at Central Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital (CTVSEH) will make every effort to prevent complications arising from your pet’s illness/injury or from procedures carried out in our hospitals. However, in some cases, there is risk that your pet may experience respiratory and/or cardiac arrest while hospitalized. We encourage an open discussion of all medical information between you and our veterinary team prior to admission. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a difficult subject for many people, but one that is very important to review. All patients admitted to CTVSEH must have a resuscitation directive regardless of severity of illness.
We are requesting that you choose whether or not you want us to revive your pet in the unlikely event that your pet experiences respiratory and/or cardiac arrest. If a pet arrests, there is a short and critical window of opportunity to initiate CPR beyond which the success rate of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation decreases significantly. By selecting now, we will be able to initiate our efforts without delay. Once we have initiated CPR, we will contact you to make further decisions. Please thoroughly read the following options below. Should you change your mind at any point during your pet’s hospitalization, please notify your pet’s doctor so that we may follow your wishes. We will ask you to sign a new form with your revised choice.
Definition:
Attempt Resuscitation:
This choice indicates that you authorize all efforts and procedures determined to be appropriate by the veterinarian to try to resuscitate your pet. CPR is more likely to be successful in a previously healthy, young patient and specific recommendations may be made by your veterinarian based on your pet’s condition. If CPR is effective, there are often problems that need to be addressed after resuscitation. CPR does not resolve any underlying diseases. It is important that you know the cost of the CPR starts at $400 and the total will vary depending on your pet’s needs. This and the cost of any additional care after the CPR are in addition to your current estimate.
Do Not Resuscitate:
Every attempt will be made to prevent a cardiac and/or respiratory arrest from occurring, but if your animal arrests, no CPR will be performed. This option is always an acceptable choice based upon your beliefs and needs.