When you first hear First Aid & CPR, do you immediately think of humans? But what about our pets? Have you heard of Pet First Aid and CPR?
Our pets can become just as vulnerable as humans in certain situations, and there may be a time when they will require First Aid or CPR in an emergency. If that were the case, would you know what to do?
As pet parents, we want what is best for our pets. Like our children, we want them to be happy and healthy and have the best life that we can give them. But what were to happen if one of your pets were to find themselves in a life-threatening situation and time was of the essence?
Never get yourself in a situation where you have lost that control, especially in life-threatening instances. Be prepared as much as possible to be ready if a problem requires the above strikes.
So what is the importance of Pet First Aid & CPR?
What is Pet First Aid?
Pet first aid refers to emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick domestic animal before professional medical care is available. Much of the first aid administered to pets is similar to humans but with distinct differences, specifically when referring to their anatomy.
When taking a Pet First Aid course, you will learn how to stabilize your pet and help them with the following:
- Shock
- Bleeding
- Bandaging
- Poisoning
- Fractures
- And more!
We recommend that all pet parents have a Pet First Aid Kit handy if you find yourself in a situation where your pet needs immediate medical care. Check out our blog on “How to Make a Pet First Aid Kit” to learn more about creating your own at home!
What is Pet CPR?
Pet CPR involves rescue breathing (mouth-to-snout resuscitation) and chest compressions like humans. When your pet signs not breathing and needs to stabilize before transporting them to the emergency hospital, you can follow the same DRSABCD principles to help your pet.
We have added the principles below sourced from Vet West.
- D – Danger – make sure it is safe to approach your pet. If required, use a blanket/ towel to handle cats or a makeshift muzzle for larger dogs.
- R – Response – determine if your pet is conscious – look for any signs of movement.
- S – Send for help – ask another person to call us while you assist your pet.
- A – Airway – only check the airway if your pet is unconscious – pull the tongue out of the mouth and look for any obstructions.
- B – Breathing – watch the chest to see if it rises and falls. If your pet is not breathing, administer two breaths.
- C – Compressions – After two breaths, commence CPR if there are no signs of life.
- D – Defibrillation
What Do We Suggest?
All Miami Pet Concierge Pet Care Specialists have undergone Pet CPR & First Aid certification to ensure that we can adequately help our clients’ pets if ever in need of emergency assistance. We suggest that all pet parents are the same.
It is best to learn from highly trained professionals to teach Pet First Aid & CPR to be prepared.
Our partner, ProPetHero, certified our entire team. Taught by expert instructor Dr. Bobbi Conner, Dr. Conner specializes in small animal emergency medicine and is ACVECC board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care. She currently practices and teaches at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine.
ProPetHero offers certification for Pet First Aid & CPR online and in the privacy of your own home. Certifications last 2-years and the course takes roughly an hour and 40 minutes to complete.
If you’re interested in becoming certified in First Aid & CPR for Pets with ProPetHero, use our referral code to claim your 10% discount!
Referral Code: CPR-Miami Pet Concierge
Did you find this blog helpful? To learn more tips, tricks, and pet care tidbits, sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter, “The Pet Sitter Post,”; or to learn more about how we can help you with all your pet care needs, contact us; now!
Nicole founded Miami Pet Concierge in May 2007 with a mission to provide Miami, Florida’s pet parents with personalized pet care plans based on their pets’ species, age, breed, health, and lifestyle – All while keeping their pets “happy at home.” In addition, offering pet care education to all pet owners to help them become great pet parents.
