Pet owners should know how to recognize the signs of heat stroke in their furry friend, and how to respond. It's also good to know the proper way to wrap and dress a wound, and maybe even how to perform CPR on an animal. (CPR is different for dogs and cats.) A little know-how could help your pet survive in an emergency
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First aid for pets may be something people have not considered. They think that they will just rush their best friend to the veterinarian’s clinic if it needs help. But when seconds matter, what you know or don’t know could make a life-or-death difference for your four-footed companion.
For example, would you know what do to if your pet began to choke on something? Dogs can be as curious as cats, and like to use their mouths to examine objects. Small items can present a high risk for choking, like balls (think golf balls), rawhide toys, even a child’s small plastic toy.
If your pet starts to choke on something, there may not be time to get to the vet. First you should open its mouth to see if you can easily remove the object. If not, there is a type of Heimlich Maneuver you can use. It varies depending on the size of the animal, though. You want expel the object without causing injury to your pet.
You can learn how to address the choking problem along with a long list of other crises that can arise by taking the American Red Cross course on Pet First Aid. If it is not offered in your area there are other resources available, including any of several books that you can have on hand for reference. There are online videos, including YouTube videos, that will show you exactly what to do in most situations - like choking – yes, there is a YouTube video that demonstrates what to do.
The Red Cross also offers an app for your smartphone that will help you know how to handle almost any pet health emergency. It costs only 99 cents, and puts the help you need right at your fingertips when you need it most. April is National Pet First Aid Month. Possibly the worst think that could happen to your pet is for you to be totally unprepared when it needs your help.
Whether it’s a bee sting or ingesting a toxic substance or a traumatic injury, make sure you have a tool available, whether it’s a book or a video or an app that can help you help your best friend, because that’s what friends are for when you’re speaking of pets.
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