Being equipped to make rapid, evidence-based decisions during neonatal emergencies is vital for improving survival in puppies and kittens. To address this need, the RECOVER Initiative has released its Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines to provide recommendations for veterinary teams caring for neonates immediately after birth.

The new guidelines offer structured recommendations for the first hour of life, with emphasis on timely, gentle interventions, such as airway clearing, tactile stimulation, and assisted ventilation. For neonates without spontaneous breathing or a detectable heartbeat, the guidelines outline advanced measures, including chest compressions, administration of resuscitation drugs, and artificial respiration.

To support clinicians under pressure, the guidelines include a newborn resuscitation algorithm and drug dosing chart, designed as cognitive aids for real-time decision-making in emergencies.

The Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines, published in an open-access issue of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and available on the RECOVER Initiative website, support the group's recently updated CPR guidelines for adult dogs and cats, establishing a new standard of care across life stages.