It’s National Pet First Aid Awareness Month: Keep Your Pet Safe

By Sheryl Green

Have you considered renaming your dog “No, stop! Don’t eat that?” Has your kitty taken to not only playing with yarn but also consuming it? Does your dog use your living room like a parkour gym?

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and if you’ve had a furry child for more than a minute, you’ve probably already experienced some sort of medical emergency. The world is a dangerous place when you walk on all fours and nibble on anything you can get your paws on. Luckily, your pets have you, and with a little preparation and knowledge, you can act quickly and potentially save your fur baby’s life.

Before we get to that, let’s look at some ways you can avoid certain emergencies altogether.

Exercising a bit of caution with your pets could help avoid many potential emergencies. Household items and human foods may look like tasty treats to your animals but could be toxic or cause obstructions if swallowed. This can include:

» Cleaning supplies

» Medications

» Plants

» Small toys

» Craft supplies

» Shoes and clothing

» Hygiene products

» And anything else that might be accessible to your pet

Make sure these items are behind closed doors and out of the way of prying paws. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.), call your vet, an emergency veterinary hospital, or a poison control hotline.

Making sure that your pet is on a leash whenever you leave the house (and controlled by someone who can handle them in an emergency) can lessen the chance of fights, getting hit by a car, and eating something random off the street. Checking the weather before you head out for a walk can help prevent heat and cold-related injuries.

If the unthinkable happens, you want to be as prepared as possible. This looks like:

 Knowing the hours your vet is open and the closest emergency hospital.

 Downloading the ASPCA mobile app or having their Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) number handy (888) 426-4435. The APCC is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, please note that they will ask you for a credit card to pay for the consultation. Have one handy so you don’t waste any time.

Ž Having a well-stocked pet first aid kit.

There are circumstances where you’ll be able to get your pet to a vet to seek medical attention. However, there are also times when you’ll need to react in the moment to stabilize your pet and save their life. Pet first aid and CPR classes are affordable and relatively easy to find. You can take an online course through the Red Cross, or look for inperson, hands-on classes like Pet Emergency Education.

If your pet is choking, stops breathing, is suffering from hypothermia, gets bitten or attacked, sustains an injury while hiking, etc. you’ll want to be armed with the tools and knowledge to treat them before you transport them to a vet.

No one likes to think about the potential of their pet getting sick or injured. However, with a little bit of prevention, preparation, and education, you can ensure that if an emergency strikes, you’ll be ready.

Sheryl Green is an author, writing coach, and passionate animal advocate. Find her at www.unleashedcommunications.com