National Pet 1st Aid Awareness Month

Petside Blog
|
Poll Archive
|
A-Z
- AAHA
- Beds
- Bones
- Books
- Bowls
- Carriers
- Cat Food
- Catnip
- Collars
- Crates
- Dog Food
- Grooming Tools
- Leashes
- Pet Food
- Pet Picture
- Pet Store
- Pharmacy
- Toys
- Treats

| Print | By | April 8, 2008 10:29 AM

They’ve got a “National Day/Week/Month” for nearly everything these days, buit this one should be on every pet lover’s calendar. The month of April celebrates pet first aid, and every animal lover should be prepared for the worst--and hope it never happens.

Do you know the signs of a pet emergency? Or what to do if it happens to you? (Read more about this in the article, Surviving a Pet Health Emergency)

4-9 sick dog.jpg

Of course, different emergencies require various responses but there are some basics you should know. ANY sudden change in behavior could be the sign of a problem. Physical signs include a change in gum color, for example. Pale could indicate anemia or shock; blue gums point to smoke inhalation, bright cherry red is the sign of carbon monoxide poisoning, and yellow (jaundice) could be liver problems.

Your veterinarian must be called and involved in treatment, but in some instances, you can’t wait to make a call. If he stops breathing, it’s up to you to save his life.

You’ll need to perform mouth-to-nose rescue breathing by covering his nose and mouth completely with your own, and gently blowing to watch that his chest expands. Give 15-20 breaths per minute until he starts breathing again or you reach emergency help.

4-9 First Aid book cover.jpg

Take a class from the Red Cross in pet first aid, and invest in a good first aid book. There are several available, including my own book that brings advice vrom more than 80 emergency room vets on everything from splinters to gunshot wounds, and how to use materials in your home (saran wrap, a condom, an ironing board *s*) to treat problems.

Familiarize yourself with emergency techniques ahead of time and have a reference on hand, just in case. It could save your cat’s life.

For more, see Petside's original VIDEO: Surviving a Pet Health Emergency

RELATED TOPICS:

« Previous