If you are a fur parent, pet first aid is really important to know. North America’s pioneer pet first aid course was developed in 1993 by a Canadian nurse and first taught in none other than, Calgary, Alberta! Today, this course is run nationally by an organization called Walks ‘N’ Wags Pet First Aid© and is the longest standing, most recognized course in Canada.
Walks ‘N’ Wags© makes this course available to everyone- from industry professionals to fur parents. It is a ten hour hands on, fully interactive presentation done over two days with a multiple choice final exam at the end. A take home reference manual with all the information covered is provided and you are welcome to add your own notes. The certification resulting from passing the exam is internationally recognized and is valid for three years following.
Topics covered during the two days range from recognizing when something is wrong, how to move an injured animal, and the order to do emergency treatment, to specifics like how to recognize different kinds of parasites/ticks/worms, signs of hypothermia/heat stroke, how to administer CPR, and bandaging a wound, and much more. Supplies are provided to actually practice some of the procedures, including CPR dog dummies and gauze and splints for securing impaled objects and/or for stopping a bleeding wound. There are some qualifiers but most instructors also allow you to bring your fur kid to class to be your own practice ‘dummy’.
Having your fur kid in distress is not a scenario any fur parent likes to think about, but it happens and sometimes it happens when you are a ways from help and usually when you least expect it. How do you be pro-active? What should you take on walks? What should the vehicle emergency kit contain for your fur kid? What everyday objects can be makeshift splints and bandages? Learn to recognize the symptoms of things not right with your fur kid: what is their regular pulse rate/heart beat supposed to be; what are characteristics of their normal poop; what are normal eating habits and activity levels, etc? Knowing pet first aid not only helps you know your fur kid’s physiology better, it is important so you can take the right steps and have the right information necessary when you do get to the vet for professional treatment.
Just Fur Kids Dog Daycare® is the proud host the last session of Walks ‘N’ Wags Pet First Aid© for 2016. This is happening on Saturday and Sunday November 5th and 6th. The instructor is Ms Ellis van Schuur of Paws First Aid (www.ellisvanschuur.wixsite.com/pawsfirstaid). Make pet first aid an important part of your fur kid’s well being and give yourself the confidence that you will know what to do in the case of an emergency.