Has your four-legged friend’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 find a dog left in a parked car or your pooch gets bitten by a rattlesnake or stung by a bee? Bandaging, removing parasites and treating heat stroke and stings are basic Pet First-Aid skills every pet parent should possess. Did Rover vomit from too many table scraps over the holidays? How about car rides…humans buckle up, but do your pets get the same attention? An unrestrained pet can be thrown from a vehicle when brakes are applied or cars collide, so dogs must be fastened with seat belts or ride in crates that are secured. Never let your pet sit in the front passenger seat where a deployed air bag could prove deadly, and never leave your pet alone in a parked car!
Statistics show that preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among our pets, and according to the American Animal Hospital Association, 25% more pets could be saved if just one Pet First-Aid technique were applied prior to getting veterinary care, so don’t delay!Pet First-Aid is the immediate care given to a pet that has been injured or suddenly become ill. It is the first and often most critical step to getting him well again. The most competent Veterinarian cannot bring your furry friend back to life once his heart and lungs have stopped, but by knowing rescue breathing and CPR, you can keep your dog alive until professional medical help is available; by knowing how to stop bleeding and bandaging a wound, you can prevent your pet from great blood loss and keep infection at bay; if you can reduce your dogs body temperature, you can prevent brain damage and death. Pet First-Aid is not a replacement for veterinary care. Together you and your Veterinarian should work as a team for the well-being of your pet.
Pet sitters, groomers and boarding attendants should also know these life-saving skills since they are your dogs guardian when you are away. “One day after learning pet first-aid, I saved a little dog from choking,” asserts Pet Sitter Tina Kenny. Sid Shapiro came to the rescue of a dog that had been hit by a car only weeks after taking a Pet First-Aid Class. Many students report having used Heimlich-like thrusts taught in class to save choking animals, and Pet Mom Heidi Fielding contests that the biggest benefit of taking a Pet CPR Class is that it gave her “confidence to deal with any situation.” Knowing what to do is of no use if you don’t have the confidence to react.
Catch my VLOG on this topic at: https://youtu.be/9LAXJmAQuhs
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