Resuscitation of canine and feline neonates

Fetal depression following dystocia and Cesarean section has two primary causes; the first (and often most important) cause is hypoxia, and the second is depression from anesthetic agents given to the dam. Resuscitation efforts should be provided in the following order: warmth, airway, breathing, circulation, and drugs. Adequate time should be allowed for correction of hypoxia using ventilatory and circulatory support before drugs are used, with the exception of drugs given to reverse anesthetic and analgesic agents that were given to the dam prior to delivery of the neonates.