We offer Cat and Dog First Aid courses
Your cat or dog is an important part of your family. Learn how to recognize and respond to life threatening conditions. By knowing basic pet first aid, you could save your pet’s life when an emergency strikes.
This four-hour class will teach you how to:
- Know when to call for emergency assistance for an injured animal and how to move an injured pet
- Determine what is “normal” for your cat or dog
- Identify signas of breathing emergencies, including choking, and provide care for the symptoms you find
- Recognize and provide care for signs of cardiac arrest
- Recognize and care for signs of sudden illness, including poisoning, seizures and heat and cold emergencies
- Put together a “pet friendly” first aid kit
Here are a few tips on caring for animals in an emergency:
- Always approach a sick or injured animal slowly and cautiously
- Watch the body expressions and sounds your pet makes to warn you. Even your own pet can be aggressive when in pain or frightened.
- Do not make quick, jerky, or loud movements. They might further scare your pet
- When necessary, use towels or blankets to subdue cats or small dogs.
- Keep the phone number and address of your veterinarian in a convenient location.
- Have the phone number and address of an after-hours veterinary clinic on hand and keep directions to that clinic in the same place. Whenever possible, call ahead to let them know you'll be coming.
Pay attention to what is normal for your pet so you can detect signals when something is wrong. Our American Red Cross Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid books can help you learn more about caring for your pet in an emergency. To purchase these books, visit our Red Cross Store online. |
