Friday, January 28, 2011

Pets are First on Sanibel: First Aid Hints for Visitors

A few weeks ago, the Red Cross offered a course in pet first aid. It was offered at the Sanibel Recreation Center and apparently quite popular. It has been offered before and brought back by because of the interest in the subject.

Because Sanibel is so pet friendly, many owners of properties, as well as rental guests, travel with dogs and cats. Small dogs especially, are welcomed in many condos and houses. One need only look for "pet friendly" and there will be a few nice places to choose from.

But going on vacation with your pooch necessitates a certain awareness of emergencies that might arise.

Bearing in mind that the ultimate goal is to get your best buddy to the vet asap, here are some guidelines for pet owners provided by the Red Cross on pet first aid.

Emergencies can occur suddenly and without warning. Knowing what to do in the initial moments can be critical to your pet's life. Thanks to the Red Cross, pet owners can equip themselves with first aid and CPR skills.

Everyone with a pet should have a "stash" of necessities for their pet as they do for family members. The pet "suitcase" should include the following:
  • Sturdy leashes and carriers
  • Medications and copies of medical records
  • Current photos of your pet in the event that they get lost
  • A first aid kit

Pet owners should also have a plan, anticipating what could go wrong and what to do at each stage of the emergency.

Pet owners should stay informed. Know where vets on Sanibel are located and what their hours are as well as where alternate 24/7 vet care is available.

Course participants in the Red Cross class received a Dog First Aid and a Cat First Aid Manual. The manuals each contained a 30 minute DVD with step-by-step information on safety procedures and dealing with medical emergencies.

No comments: