First Aid for Your
Pets
Knowing
what to do in the event of an emergency with your pet can mean the difference between life
... and death.
How can you be prepared?
Take the Red Cross First Aid and CPR
Course for Animal Lovers ... and keep a Pet First Aid Kit in your home and car.
As
of this writing, the following NJ Chapters of the Red Cross are offering Pet First Aid
courses.
Metropolitan
Chapter (Serving Essex, Passaic, Hudson) Morristown
Area Chapter (Serving Morris, Warren) Summit
Area Chapter (Serving Essex) Jersey
Coast
Chapter (Serving Ocean, Monmouth)
The
4 hour class will teach you how
to: protect your pet from injury; perform rescue
breathing; stop bleeding; splint broken bones; treat for shock; prevent and handle
poisoning; handle choking; handle sudden illnesses; and more.
Because schedules and offerings change, you might also want to check the
listing of Statewide Red
Cross Chapters (NJ)
for other course availabilities in your area.
Having
a well stocked first aid kit can be helpful for both you and your pet! For a good dual
purpose kit, purchase the LARGE human
first aid kit at a local pharmacy or discount store. Then add the following:
Contact names,
addresses and phone numbers for your family doctor AND veterinarian, plus required medicines
for and allergy information about your family and your pets
3" vet wrap
-- 2 rolls
6" ACE bandage
-- 1
Paint stirrers
(makes a fantastic splint) -- 2
Pepto Bismol
Chewable Children's
Aspirin
Benedryl tablets
Hydrogen Peroxide
Syrup of Ipecac
Dog specific eye
wash (from the vet)
Dog specific itch
relief spray
Antibacterial
Towelettes
Dog specific irrigation
fluid, sterile (from the vet)
Dog specific eye
ointment for irritation
Pedialyte unflavored
Instant chemical
cold compresses -- 3
Lastly, invest in an
additional tag for your pet's collar, and have it inscribed
to read as follows: "Owner authorizes
all necessary emergency medical treatment
and will assume all costs." This can save your pet's life in a trauma situation if you or
an alternate contact can't be found.
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