4 Things to Know About Pet First Aid in honor of “National Pet First Aid Awareness Month” in April (and 3 things you can do about it)

Have you ever heard of the “reverse sneeze”? Have you ever heard your dog making creating a noise that sounded like they were choking and couldn’t breathe? Don’t worry, it’s nothing too serious.

To help your beloved pet, this is what you should do:

1. Grab your pet’s face, hold their mouth closed with one hand and with the other hand, close one or both of their nostrils, whichever one helps.

2. Hold this position for a few seconds until they seem to have calmed down.

3. Release your pet from your hold and watch them

4. Repeat steps 1-3 if needed.

As responsible pet owners, ensuring the health and safety of our furry companions is a top priority. We hope to never encounter emergencies, however being prepared to provide first aid can make a crucial difference in the outcome of a pet’s health. Whether you have a crazy cat, a persistent pup, or any other furry friend, understanding pet first aid is essential knowledge in order to properly take care of them. Here are some key things every pet owner should know about/prepare for in case they need to perform pet first aid:

1. Basic Care:

   • In the event of a minor injury, it’s important to clean and dress the wound to prevent infection and promote healing. Rinse the wound with clean water or a saline solution, apply a mild antiseptic, and cover it with a sterile gauze pad. For deeper or more serious wounds, seek veterinary attention immediately.

2. Fractures:

   • If you suspect your pet is suffering from a fracture, avoid moving them as this can cause further injury. Instead, what you want to do is stabilize the injured limb with a splint or improvised bandage (whatever you have readily accessible) and transport them to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately.

3. CPR and Rescue Breathing:

   • Become familiar with pet CPR and rescue breathing techniques, as they can be critically important in emergencies. Pet CPR includes chest compressions, while rescue breathing involves mouth-to-nose breathing for pets who have stopped breathing, both of which are extremely similar to human CPR and rescue breathing.

4. Signs of Poisoning:

   • Common household products can be poisonous to our pets, such as chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and candy), grapes, certain houseplants, etc. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact your veterinarian immediately first and try to get a last minute appointment. If you cannot, make the next available appointment and call the poison control hotline for guidance. They will ask for things such as breed, age, weight, the brand of the food and how much your pet ate. After this, they will calculate if they amount your pet ingested is poisonous for them and recommend next steps.

What can I do?

1. Recognize Emergency Situations

   • Understand the signs of a pet emergency as this is the first step in providing prompt and appropriate care. Common signs to be on the lookout for include but are not limited to: difficulty breathing, excessive bleeding, loss of consciousness, sudden weakness or collapse, and ingestion of a foreign object. To be on the safe side, even if the symptoms decrease over the course of a few hours, seek veterinary care immediately to ensure you pet is healthy and doesn’t have any residual problems.

2. Build a Pet First Aid Kit

   • Assemble a pet first aid kit. Again, to be on the safe side, creating a small pet first aid kit with the basics is essential and beneficial for responding to minor injuries and emergencies. Your pet first aid kit should look similar to a first aid kit for humans. It should include items such as gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, hydrogen peroxide (for inducing vomiting under veterinary guidance), tweezers (for removing ticks or splinters), a digital thermometer, and any prescribed medications your pet may need.

3. Write Down Your Pet’s Normal Vital Signs

   • Before an emergency occurs, familiarize yourself with your pet’s normal vital signs, including their heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and gum color. This baseline information will help you recognize abnormalities if they arise and provide valuable information to your veterinarian in an emergency.

By familiarizing yourself with pet first aid techniques and being prepared to respond to emergencies, you can provide immediate care and support to your furry companion in their time of need. As always, tend to your pet first to identify the problem. But even if your pet suffered a minor incident, it’s always best to take them to your veterinary clinic immediately because remember, quick action and prompt veterinary attention can make all the difference in ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet’s health and well-being.

Sources Referenced:

“https://petkeen.com/national-pet-first-aid-awareness-month/” - PetKeen

“Pet First Aid Awareness - National Humane Education Society (nhes.org)” - National Humane Education Society

“Pet First Aid Awareness Month | MetLife Pet Insurance” - MetLife