PAWPRINTS

Archive for April 11th, 2009

Taking a pet first aid class could save your pet’s life.

Countless emergencies can be averted and accidents  prevented by the the owner or Pet Care Professional being trained in pet first aid.  

Red Cross Pet First aid classes, which last about four hours, are a combination of lecture, discussion, video presentation and live demonstration. They can be taught for dogs, cats or both, and topics include actions to take in an emergency — such as CPR and controlling bleeding.

Students learn how to perform CPR and rescue breathing on stuffed animals modified to simulate lungs and airways. Pet mannequins are also used to practice making emergency muzzles out of cloth strips. These can be necessary for human safety when an animal is in pain. Students also learn when not to muzzle, when the emergency involves choking or difficulty in breathing. 

The Red Cross first began offering pet first aid classes in 1997; prices are set by individual chapters. The course was revised in 2007 to separate care for cats and dogs, which are different in some important respects. (American Red Cross Pet First Aid)

“A cat is not a small dog,” says Deborah C. Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania, veterinary adviser to the Red Cross. For instance, she says, while urinary blockage is possible in dogs, in cats it’s one of the most common life-threatening problems, and it’s critical to recognize the signs.

Another source for pet first aid classes is Pet Tech, which has 300 trained instructors in 30 states, Canada and Mexico. Started 13 years ago by Thom Somes, a former emergency medical technician and a human first aid instructor, the company offers first aid and CPR, dental care, and senior pet care classes.

PetSaver™ Training is a one-day course designed for pet owners as well as Pet Care Professionals. Pet Tech Instructor (PTI) Training is a three-day course that will train you to teach the PetSaver™ course to pet owners andPet Care Professionals in your area.

Pet Tech is the first international training center dedicated to First Aid, CPR & Care for dogs and cats .

For more information, contact the Red Cross in your area, or visit the Pet Tech site: http://www.pettech.net/