pet crusader - pet safety DON’T BE APRIL FOOLED -- PET FIRST-AID & CPCR SAVES LIVES! Has your pup’s tail ever been closed in a door, or have you discovered ticks on your gorgeous long-haired cat? What would you do if you found a dog in a parked car on a warm day (anything above 70°F is considered too warm to living an animal in)? How about if your terrier looks more like a bulldog from swelling caused by a bee sting or snake bite? Bandaging, removing parasites and treating heat stroke and upset tummies are basic Pet First-Aid skills every pet parent should possess. April is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month, and although it is a topic pet parents should have on their minds year-round, this is a great time to make sure you are PAWpared with both great skills and an up-todate kit. Although veterinarians are the experts, most of us are not lucky enough to have a vet velcroed to our hip 24/7. Even if you live with 5 people in your home, odds are that when the cat stops breathing or the dog cuts his paw…you will be home alone and it will be after veterinary hours. To be a pro-active pet parent, you MUST know how to rescue Rover or help Fluffy feel better BEFORE professional medical care is available. What happens in those first few moments after the onset of injury or illness, can truly make a difference in your best friend’s recovery. Preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among pets, and according to the American Veterinary Association (AVMA) 9 out of 10 dogs and cats can expect to have an emergency during their lifetime. Do you know how to stay calm and jump to the task?
By knowing Pet First Aid, you can: ÁÁ Lower your pet’s body temperature to prevent brain damage or death.
ÁÁ Minimize blood loss and prevent infection by properly bandaging a wound. Knowing where the critical arterial pressure points are on your pooch or kitty can be a life saver! ÁÁ Alleviate choking with the doggie or kitty Heimlichlike maneuver. ÁÁ Expel poison from your pet’s system by properly inducing vomiting. Be the pump your pet’s heart can’t be, moving lifegiving blood and oxygen throughout his body, until you can get him to professional medical help. Pet First-Aid is by no means a replacement for veterinary care, and CPR (now Cardio Pulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation) is not a cure, but both can make a difference in the life of your pet. Knowing these skills helps you work as a team with your veterinarian to help you best friend live a longer, happier, healthier life by your side. Before you get into a Pet First-Aid & CPCR Class, please do the following for your dog or cat’s sake:
Down on all fours Look at life from your dog’s perspective. What appears as a neatly kept room from a 5’ 6” to 6’ 2” viewpoint is a completely different scenario 7” (Chihuahua) to 14” (Old English Bulldog) off the floor. If it’s in paws reach, it’s fair game for even the most obedient canine. Add to that their incredible sniffers! As humans we rarely notice the sweet aroma coming from our morning coffee, yet dogs can detect a spoonful of sugar in an Olympic-sized pool of water! If it smells good, they might investigate more closely and that includes shelves, behind doors and countertops. Cleaners and fertilizers not absorbed through paw pads will be ingested when your dog grooms himself, so take note of what you put on floors and the yard, choosing only pet friendly chemicals.