When uhh-ohs turn into oh-nos

Arden Moore teaches pet owners first aid across D-FW

By: Tiffany Ditto

Staff Writer

It's 11 p.m., long after your veterinary office has closed for the night, when all of the sudden your dog begins choking on a piece of kibble. The nearest veterinary emergency room is over a half hour away, so by the time you get there it would be too late. Do you know what to do in those first few critical moments to save your pet?

If you're like many pet owners, this is not something you have thought about. After all, we don't like to think about the worst happening. But, being a prepared owner can save pet lives, and that's exactly what Arden Moore set out to do with her Pets First Aid 4 U training classes.

Pet first aid involves all of your senses," Moore says. "We are that life saving bridge between the uhh-oh and the veterinary clinic."

With her home base in Dallas, Moore teaches her pet first aid skills at various locations around the metroplex (and sometimes in various locations across the nation). Moore teaches life-saving skills like how to perform CPR, rescue breathing, the Heimlich maneuver and other basic first aid skills — all with a live cat and dog in the classroom.

But before Moore gets into any of these topics, she stresses that during an emergency situation you must remain calm.

In a pet first aid emergency, pets read your emotional state better than anyone else," she says. "Take a deep breath and get in the right mindset. During that time every minute may count and they need you to be confident."

Pet first aid instructing dog Kona pretends to be passed out while Arden Moore demonstrates how to find a pulse using the femoral artery.

Tiffany Ditto

During Moore's 4.5 hour hands-on course students will get to practice finding a pulse and hone bandaging skills on her first aid safety cat Casey and safety instructing dog Kona. Moore also employs a canine CPR dummy and stuffed animals to practice skills on.

Students will learn how to react during three main types of pet emergencies: (1) Pet has a heartbeat but isn't breathing. (2) Pet doesn't have a heartbeat and isn't breathing. (3) General first aid for bleeding, bee stings, heatstroke, frostbite and more.

Moore's class teaches owners how to find a pulse in the animal's femoral artery. When pets have a heartbeat but aren't breathing, owners should begin rescue breathing. During this time your pet is often unconscious from head trauma, drowning or electrical shock.

Another type of emergency occurs when your pet isn't breathing and doesn't have a heartbeat. In these types of emergencies, it's important to begin CPR immediately. During CPR and rescue breathing, Moore says to have your vet on speakerphone so you can alert them that you will be on the way soon. She stresses that these life saving measures shouldn't be a substitute for veterinary care and you should always follow up with your veterinarian after any traumatic event.

The third type of pet emergency Moore touches base on is general first aid for bleeding, bee stings, heatstroke, frostbite and various other situations. Moore shows students how to properly bandage wounds, apply splints for broken bones and be a "pet detective" so you know what signs to look for when your pet could have gotten into poison, is hypothermic or is having a heat stroke.

Spider bites can often look like abscesses," Moore says. "You have to pay attention and be pet detectives."

Even though your dog may not be happy about your lifesaving measures, especially when applying splints or pressure on a wound, Moore says "never say you're sorry" for doing what needs to be done to save a life. Apologizing can cause your pet to lose confidence in you, and ultimately make the experience even more difficult.

Over the eight years Moore has been teaching the course she has collaborated with veterinarians, pet trainers, behaviorists and veterinary nurses so the content is accurate and delivered in a lively way that holds the interest of participants.

At the end of the course, participants receive a certificate certifying them in pet first aid and CPR for two years.

I try to bring out the best in pets and people," Moore said. "I feel like there is a big knitch that is not being met, and this course does that."

Moore's recommendations for your pet first aid kit include: gauze pads and rolls, tweezers, blunt-end scissors, oral syringes, styptic powder, a muzzle and a quick read rectal thermometer

Make a habit of checking your pet first aid supply kit when you change your clocks during the year," Moore says.

To register for one of Moore's classes visit www.petfirstaid4u.com

Twitter: @TiffanyDitto