Importance of canine first aid

Vets are the experts, but most of us are not lucky enough to have a vet-in-residence 24/7. Even if you live in a house with other people, odds are that when the dog cuts a paw or chokes on something you will be home alone and it will be after veterinary hours.  That’s why it’s so important that pet parents know how to jump to the task to help their doggo feel better before rushing to the emergency clinic!

Canine first aid is the immediate care given when a dog is injured or suddenly takes ill while at home or outdoors and, when necessary, with veterinary help. This knowledge can mean the difference between life and death, temporary and permanent disability, expensive veterinarian bills and reasonable home care. It is estimated that 25% more pets can be saved if just one basic skill or technique was applied prior to receiving veterinary care.

Learning the skills and techniques of canine first aid are best learned by lecture, demonstration and hands-on skill practice. Generally, the skills and techniques of pet first aid are very similar to human first aid. The key differences are size, anatomy and communication.

What Is Canine First Aid?

While Canine First Aid is by no means a replacement for competent veterinary care, there are some things you can master to help care for your pet until they can get proper medical attention. If you know these things, you can help your vet better help your pet – you’ll be working as a team. 

At a canine first aid class, there are many things you can learn that will help prevent situations from getting worse. For example, you’ll learn:

• How to think and assess the situation consciously so you have make the best decision to help your dog
• How to lower your pet’s body temperature due to heat stroke
• How to stop bleeding so you can prevent your pet from severe blood loss on the way to the vet.
• How to properly bandage a wound so you can help prevent infection.
• How to induce vomiting so your pet can expel poison from the body.
• How to alleviate choking so you can prevent your pet from going unconscious.
• How to perform Rescue Breathing and CPR so you can keep that life-giving blood and oxygen circulating, keeping the animal alive until you get to medical help.

Why Attending a Class So Important

If you search online, you can find books or videos about pet first aid. Watching or reading about pet first aid is helpful, but it’s not a replacement for physically attending a class where you can view demonstrations and participate in hands-on skills practice. It’s the hands-on aspect that really solidifies the techniques in your mind and enables you to go on ‘auto-pilot’ when your pet needs you most.