What Dog Owners Need to Prepare in Case of First Aid Is Needed
A wounded dog will bite, even if it's your own.
When there was one takeaway at the first-aid class for K-9 police officers stored at Gladwyne Fire Company on Thursday it had been this: Do not take risks if your pet's teeth are inches from your face.
"They have some profoundly wired behaviours," said Jon Detweiler, an emergency medical technician who was instructing about 15 officers on the best way best to identify and respond to medical emergencies involving their budding spouses. "Please be prepared for that."
Their partners from Montgomery and Delaware Counties and the officers assembled for clinic sessions and the class. Issues the group might experience when responding to emergencies involving functioning canines, each valued as high were addressed by A day class for nurses, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics. The classes were sponsored by Narberth Ambulance.
A lot of what the specialists learned due to car accidents, penetrating injury, and heatstroke would be useful for owners of family pets too, said Scott Kramer, a paramedic with Narberth Ambulance.
Anything anybody can do in a crisis situation will help save a life," explained Sharon Minninger, a veterinarian who had been teaching the course. Detweiler and she have Telford Veterinary Hospital.
For working dogs with a strong drive to operate, it is important that their police partners know when to give a break to them so they don't overheat.
Hyperthermia or heatstroke can occur any time, '' said Detweiler. "That is huge. This is 100 percent preventable."
It's also an issue for household pets.
"We had a dog expire this week," she said about a case in her veterinary practice. The household pet was left outside in the sun all day. "They start with a higher body temperature than us. It doesn't take long to get to a high level." MARI A. SCHAEFER
Veterinarian Sharon Minninger, of Telford Veterinary Hospital, along with her pet Heidi demonstrate the proper technique for clearing a dog's mouth before doing CPR.
You can not tell by simply feeling a puppy if its temperature is elevated. Those ear thermometers are constructed for humans and useless in pets due to their anatomy.
Start looking for symptoms such as altered behavior. A pet may fall or vomit as well. Covering them with a moist towel, putting ice bags beneath your pet's armpits, cooling the pads of their feet or putting them will help bring down body temperature that was high, '' she said.
The course comprised CPR instruction, recognizing signs and signs which would indicate a crisis, basic first aid, and emergency preparation for transportation and hospital treatment until it's needed.
Home was hit at by the seminar for Whitemarsh Police Officer Matt Stadulis, who was there with his service dog, Nika, a Malinois trained as a patrol and explosives dog. Stadulis' first partner, Brock, suffered a seizure he said.
"I didn't know what to do," Stadulis explained. First aid had not been a part of the comprehensive training officers undergo with their partners, he said.
Brock, currently retired at age 9, was rushed to Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania and treated for mild heatstroke. He recovered, the officer said.
The first-aid course "gives you the confidence to know what to do," explained Stadulis.
Create an emergency plan for your pets
Know where the closest 24-hour emergency health care clinic is located. Have the phone number.
Be able to recognize unnatural behaviors for the pet. Know the indications of toxin exposure, overheating, and trauma.
Have another pet first-aid kit with basic supplies.
Injured dogs will sting. Don't assume that your dog won't become competitive, and do not take unnecessary risks.
Practice fire drills with your pets so they are familiar with the sound of this alert and will be aware of what to anticipate.
Be mindful of little toys which pets could choke on.
A listing of first aid supplies handed out in a Canine Emergency Care class held for police officers who associate with service dogs.
Things to add in a pet first aid kit
A canine first aid book
sterile 4-by-4 gauze and 5-by-9 ABD pads, a Highly absorbent dressing
4-by-4 yards of bulk roll gauze
1-inch medical tape
stainless steel shears
4 ounces. Bottle of eye wash
instant cold pack and mylar emergency blanket
hydrogen peroxide
antiseptic wipes
lighten gel with lidocaine
