puppy suffering from shaken puppy syndrome

One Puff™ technology improves resuscitation procedures and patient outcomes for small animal births.

Puppies can often struggle to breathe at birth, either from excess mucus or a lack of physical compression due to a c-section. This presents a unique set of problems for veterinarians because everything about a newborn puppy is small — from their brains to their lungs, they are sensitive, fragile animals.  

Resuscitation then becomes a balance of conducting the correct procedures to clear the animal’s airways while also accounting for the small size of the patient. 

Past Solutions

Many practices have used and still use the swinging method, where the pup is swung back and forth to clear mucus from the airway. Swinging can be effective but presents real risks to the patient — their small brains can bang against the insides of their skulls, which can lead to brain damage similar to shaken baby syndrome in humans. Additionally, because of their slippery coats, puppies can slip from the veterinarian or vet tech’s hands during the procedure, causing the potential for catastrophic injury. 

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can also present challenges as the lungs of a newborn puppy are only around the size of a human thumbnail. Providing the correct amount of oxygen can be difficult, given the need for consistent, soft pressure. Even the smallest human breath can over-exert the tiny lungs it’s trying to assist.  

A Step Foward

There is a safer, more effective approach for small animal resuscitation. The McCulloch Medical™ One Puff™ aspirator and resuscitator kit is a simple, two-part, handheld instrument that clears breathing pathways and stimulates the first breaths of newborn puppies, kittens and other small animals. The One Puff™ has saved hundreds of distressed newborns since its introduction.

 This is an invaluable tool for all veterinarians, breeders and pet owners. It’s designed specifically for use on newborn puppies and kittens and is especially effective for C-section births. This two-part system can provide an effective, low-risk resuscitation toolkit. 

How it Works

  • Aspirator Pump A administers safe vacuum suction to remove mucus from the animal’s airways, while Resuscitator Pump B provides a small release of air to stimulate respiratory response.
  • Made for small lungs, the Resuscitator Pump delivers a controlled amount of air, between 5 ml and 10 ml, to the patient. This pump can be attached directly to oxygen to facilitate further care.
  • The kit is reusable and can be cleaned with a 1:20 solution of bleach. 

How to Implement

As you look for ways to improve your practice and quality of care, look to the One Puff™ aspirator and resuscitator kit. Through easy mucus removal, controlled airflow and instruments designed for small patients, you can help to provide safer births and more successful resuscitations. 

 

The One Puff™ aspirator and resuscitator kit is available through MAI Animal Health.