01/27/2026
Sometimes everything works out just right. Our entire team recently completed RECOVER pet CPR training, and it was perfect timing to put our skills to use last Friday night to save a life.
When Bear the chihuahua came into our clinic, he was limp and his gums were dark blue.
On the car ride over, Bear was gasping for air. His owner, Michele, shouted as she walked through the door: “My dog is choking on a bone! Please help!”
As a Registered Nurse, Michele knew time was of the essence, and that he wouldn’t make the longer drive to the ER, so she stopped at Precision Pet Urgent Care for immediate intervention.
Dr. Mahoney quickly examined Bear: he was not breathing any longer, and he didn’t have a palpable pulse. There was a rawhide bone stuck in his throat, causing a complete airway obstruction. Bear was deemed clinically dead.
The Precision Pet Urgent Care team rushed into action to perform CPR. Sam immediately started chest compressions. Jenna was pressing on Bear’s throat to move up the bone, while Dr. Mahoney successfully retrieved the object using forceps. Jaycie and Brandi swiftly ran over to grab supplies for an IV catheter, which Jenna efficiently placed despite the jostling from CPR. It was a team effort in full force.
We kept trying even though we knew chances were slim that he would make it. Survival rates for animal CPR are reported at only 6 to 19%. We were really worried, but we still carried on with our chest compressions.
As Dr. Mahoney began drawing up epinephrine to try to restart his heart while Dr. Badeski prepared to intubate him, Bear finally took a breath of his own. Shortly after, Sam announced: “We have a pulse!”
Suddenly, Bear’s gum color rapidly changed from blue to purple to a muddy pink. Shortly after that, he was able to stand. We all cheered and breathed a sigh of relief. However, we knew he wasn’t entirely out of the woods yet.
We called over to Tufts VETS in Walpole to coordinate his overnight care. At the advice of the emergency specialist, we kept him on oxygen support and EKG monitoring for an hour at our clinic before escorting him over to the emergency room. We loaded up one of our cars with emergency supplies, including a portable oxygen tank, to keep Bear safe and comfortable.
On the ride over to Tufts, Bear kept kissing Jaycie, almost as if he was thanking us for saving his life. We had to remind him to put his face back down towards the oxygen mask, and he complied. He is the perfect patient!
The following day after a night in the ICU recovering, Bear was released from the hospital and able to go home to his family. His owner, Michele, stopped by on her way home to thank us. His gums were a nice and normal rosy, pink color. We cried tears of joy, knowing we saved his life.
Bear came in a week later for a recheck and to give some more kisses to the team and we’re so happy to say that he is doing great!!!
At Precision Pet Urgent Care, we are here 7 days a week to help your pets feel better, whether it’s an ear infection, broken nail, tummy ache, or emergency stabilization! We’ve got you covered! Call ahead, book online, or walk in!
