When our pets look unwell, injured or take a sudden turn for the worst, it’s the actions we take in the moments after realising that something’s not right that could end up saving our pet’s life.
We can face a range of emergency situations with our pets. They may have been involved in an accident with a vehicle, swallowed a toxic plant or substance, have something lodged in their airway, may be bleeding or burned, or experiencing heat stroke.
One of the first actions to take is to identify the severity of the situation.
- Life-threatening – your pet requires immediate attention and assistance.
- Serious but not life-threatening – your pet needs immediate attention at the vet.
- Minor emergency
Australian Dog Lover provides a quick guide to pet first aid, which might be helpful to review.
The Australian Red Cross recommends regular health checks at home, so you understand when all is good with your pet and when you might need to take action.
- Temperature – Cats and dogs generally have normal body temperature of between 37.5 degrees Celsius and 39 degrees Celsius. A higher body temperature could indicate a serious health issue and it’s time to take them to the vet.
- Heart rate – Watch your cat or dog and note how many times their chest rises and falls in one minute. This will give you a baseline for what is normal for your pet and when they may be having trouble breathing.
- Checking hydration levels – Some parts of Australia can experience sweltering heat. To check whether your pet is dehydrated, The Australian Red Cross recommends: ‘pulling up on the skin between their shoulder blades. When you let go, the skin should spring right back in place. If it stays tented this can be a sign of dehydration.’
There are several first aid courses and resources available. The Australian Red Cross offers pet first aid courses. There are also courses through TAFE and online and face-to-face options through the RSPCA. It’s best to check availability in your state or territory.
If you’re wanting a go-to guide when you’re out and about, there is also a first aid for pets Australia app that’s free.
Learning first aid for pets is a vital skill for both pet owners and pet sitters. Knowing what to do in an emergency will ensure you have the confidence to step up and take action which could prevent serious injury, long-term illness or even save a pet pal’s life.
Sources:
https://www.australiandoglover.com/2017/03/dog-first-aid-quick-reference-guide.html
https://www.redcross.org.au/firstaid/pet-first-aid/blog-pet-first-aid/
https://www.australiandoglover.com/2017/03/dog-first-aid-quick-reference-guide.html
https://www.moorabbinvet.com.au/first-aid-for-pets-australia/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.boehringer.FirstAidForPets
https://www.rspcansw.org.au/what-we-do/training/basic-animal-first-aid/