|
Pets Benefit from
First Aid Too
April's 'Pet First Aid Month' encourages preparedness among pet owners
Jeffersonville, IN. (March 26, 2008)
- Imagine taking your daily morning walk with your dog on your usual route
through the park. and only after seeing your pet's paw bleeding profusely do
you notice the scattering of broken glass a few steps behind. What do you do?
Many pet owners are under-prepared to respond to an emergency with their pet.
Each year in April, animal-welfare organizations focus on promoting pet first
aid, and providing awareness and education to pet owners on how they can be
prepared for the unexpected.
"Owning a pet is a full-time job," said Brent Hinton, PetFirst Healthcare CEO
and former director of the Kentucky Humane Society. "It is essential that
owners are responsible for the well-being of their furry friends and
knowledgeable about basic first-aid procedures."
Although animals can get sick and require professional medical attention
anytime, there are several instances when basic first-aid procedures can be
effective:
-
Skin abrasions, lacerations or burns
-
Choking
-
Eye injuries such as scratches or debris irritation
-
Frostbite
-
Insect bites
-
Vomiting or diarrhea
-
Poisoning
Hinton recommends pet owners purchase or create their own pet first-aid kits
and keep them at home and in the car. Many different types are available at
local pet stores, veterinarian offices and on the Internet. Most include
antibiotic ointments, gauze and sterile pads, adhesive tape, saline eye flush,
syringes, scissors, soft cloth material and bandages.
Many humane societies, veterinary offices and branches of the American Red
Cross offer pet first aid classes, teaching pet owners the basics including how
to administer the Heimlich maneuver in a choking situation, which is the number
one hazard amongst kittens and puppies.
"Unfortunately 9-1-1 doesn't exist for pets in an emergency situation," said
Hinton. "It's important for new and even long-time pet owners to educate
themselves now rather than find themselves unprepared when something unexpected
or tragic happens to their pet."
About PetFirst Healthcare
PetFirst Healthcare is a privately owned pet
insurance company based in Jeffersonville, Ind. Underwritten by an A-rated
insurance carrier and available nationwide, PetFirst provides affordable and
reliable coverage for dog and cat medical expenses along with fast and
effective claims processing. For more information about individual and family
plans and pricing, visit www.petfirst.com or call 1-866-937-PETS.
|
|
|
