Our objective was to evaluate a colorimetric end-tidal CO2 detector in a canine model for pediatric cardiac arrest. In a prospective unblinded study, cardiac arrest was induced in 11 anesthetized and paralyzed puppies, weighing 5.0 to 6.1 kg, by clamping the endotracheal tube (ETT) and discontinuing mechanical ventilation. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the detector and the capnometer were connected between the ETT and ventilator tubing. Color shades on the detector ranged from 1 (purple) to 6 (yellow) corresponding to increasing concentrations of CO2. End-tidal CO2 concentrations as indicated by detector color and capnometric reading were monitored and recorded throughout the study. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the detector color score and capnometric readings (P < 0.001). A sudden rise in end-tidal CO2 indicated by both the capnometer and the detector occurred at return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in seven or < 1 minute before ROSC in four animals. This association was significant (P = 0.0009). We conclude that these results demonstrate that, in a canine model for pediatric cardiac arrest, the detector readings correlate with capnometry during CPR and indicate ROSC.