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Caring for your pet is more than just feeding, watering, and having a good home. Like humans pets can be injured, have accidents, or come down with sudden illnesses and need immediate attention, appropriate veterinary care is a necessity. By learning the basics of pet first aid, you can help your pet recover — and even save their life. Learn how to prepare and what to do when you need your pet’s urgent care in this in-depth pet first aid guide.
Pet first aid is the first aid you give to an injured or ill pet before professional veterinary assistance. It is about the combination of knowledge and skills such as emergency signs and the ward of basic medical procedures. Having pet first aid knowledge on hand can allow you to ease your pet’s condition and reduce the potential for additional harm until you can get them to a vet.
The importance of first aid for pets lies not in it, but in the fact, that pets cannot communicate their discomfort in the same way that they can humans. Often the first step in identifying a problem is to recognize subtle behavioural changes, such as lethargy, excessive vocalization or change in appetite.
When the worst happens, you never know, being prepared is the right thing to do. A pet first aid guide is a tried and trusted resource for when you’re faced with an emergency. For things like trauma, injury, and allergic reactions, a pet guide knows what to do whether your pet has ingested something toxic.
Pet first aid guides are good for anyone who regularly goes outside with their pets. Pets can be at risk for things that may happen when hiking, camping or travelling; things as running into a wild animal, getting bitten by an insect or getting hurt by the terrain. Having a pet first aid guide to keep with you means you can quickly refer to it to see how you address these things and not stress over them.
Having our own dedicated pet first aid kit is truly one of the most crucial pet first aid basics. All the things you will need to deal with minor injuries, treat wounds and manage other emergencies should be included in this kit. While overlapping items in a pet kit as compared to a human first aid kit, it’s essential to select those items that will suit your pet.
An antiseptic wipe, tape, tweezers, scissors, sterile gauze, and a digital thermometer, are essential for a basic pet first aid kit. To that end, there are also items you need to have available, such as a muzzle (for dogs), a blanket, disposable gloves, and an emergency contact card with your and your veterinarian’s information. If your pet has any chronic conditions or allergies, please include on form medications and a list of their medical history.
Also, periodically checking your pet's first aid kit for expired supplies and out-of-date supplies, is a wise idea. By having your kit in one designated, easy-to-access location you’ll save time during an emergency.
It’s not always obvious that a pet is injured or sick; that’s why it’s important to learn to recognize the signs of distress in an animal. Examples of common emergencies that may require pet first aid include choking, poisoning, cuts or lacerations, burns, fractures and heat stroke. Being able to understand how to respond in this situation will allow you to respond immediately and logically.
For example, you’d check your pet’s airway for visible obstructions if they were choking. If you look at nothing – you should do a modified Heimlich maneuver, or simply press the object to remove it. If your pet has been poisoned, it is important to find out the substance your pet got in contact with and call a veterinarian or pet poison hotline right away. Do not attempt to induce vomiting on your own, doing so has on occasion made things worse.
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It’s nice to know some basic pet first aid procedures in case of an emergency. Here are a few common scenarios and how to handle them:
Building your confidence and competence in handling emergencies, A pet first aid course is a good way to tackle. There are few organizations that offer pet first aid workshops such as the Red Cross or your local animal welfare group. Overhead they cover CPR for pets, how to bandage wounds, and how to know when something is wrong with the pet.
It can be particularly useful to learn pet-specific CPR techniques. It is a chest compression and a rescue breath for the size and anatomy of your pet. This will allow you to practice these skills in a controlled environment, meaning that you’re better prepared to use them in a real emergency.
But it is equally important to prevent emergencies. Avoid keeping hazardous substances such as cleaning supplies, medications and toxic plants in your pet’s reach. Put your pet’s food and trash inside secure bins to keep them from ingesting harmful objects or food.
It can also decrease the risks of supervising your pet during outdoor activities. Depending on your pet’s temperament, use a leash in unfamiliar areas, watch for signs of overheating during hot weather and make sure your pet is vaccinated for diseases they may encounter in the wild.
Another key preventive measure is regular veterinary visits. Routine exams give you the chance to look under the hood and see how you and your pet are doing before issues become emergencies.
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The phrase responsible pet ownership includes a basic understanding of pet first aid. If you know what to do in an emergency, keep a pet first aid kit stocked, and familiarize yourself with basic procedures, you’ll feel more prepared to keep your pet safe and healthy. No one wants to react in a situation that involves pet first aid but you never know when you might need it and being prepared can help save your pet. This is where it pays to take the time to educate yourself, buy the tools that will be required, and make some kind of plan. It’s important to your pet’s health and happiness.
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