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April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month — the perfect time to learn essential, life-saving skills so you can be confident and prepared in the event of an emergency. Here are some steps we recommend you take this month.
If your pet’s heart stops, or they aren’t breathing, you may need to provide chest compressions and rescue breaths. The exact method for this will depend on the size and breed of the animal. For more information, check out the Canadian Red Cross for first aid and CPR instructions.
For cuts, apply a clean, thick gauze pad over the area and maintain pressure until the bleeding stops and clotting begins. Clean open wounds with a saline solution and apply a bandage to protect the area. Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals can provide more information.
Techniques to dislodge an object from your pet’s throat vary by breed and size. Again, the Canadian Red Cross provides step-by-step instructions.
Make sure to have the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the nearest animal hospital, and an animal poison control center easily accessible.
Keep a pet emergency kit in your home and car. The kit should have:
Other helpful items include alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide, sterile eyewash, and more.
Canine Health Canada and the Canadian Red Cross offer courses that cover essential skills related to emergency care.
A first aid kit is not a replacement for going to your vet but can help improve the outcome in an emergency. Severe injuries and illness always require prompt veterinary care.
If your pet is unresponsive, has difficulty breathing, is bleeding heavily, or shows signs of poisoning, you should bring them to a vet clinic or animal hospital immediately.
It also helps to have your pet’s vaccination records and a list of medications.