New Zealand has one of the highest levels of pet ownership in the Western world, but do you know what to do if your pet is injured?
A new course is aiming to save the lives of cats and dogs by teaching pet CPR and first aid.
Fiona Rae is a proud dog owner, with a part-time pet-sitting business in Dunedin. But she admits the pressure’s on if something goes wrong with her pet.
“It’s up to you to save that animal’s life. You can’t just call 111 and say you need an ambulance for a dog. At the end of the day it’s up to you.”
That’s why the qualified vet nurse was keen to learn more about pet first aid.
Courses have been offered in the United States for years, and have now arrived here thanks to former paramedic Brian Sproull.
“I was teaching human first aid courses. People would ask me, ‘Can I do this for my cat or dog?’ I thought, ‘Yes they can.'”
But he says trying to practise on real animals would be too much of a distraction. Instead the classes learn pet CPR on specially imported mannequins.
The dummy canines have a realistic pulse and chest, aimed at preparing people for a real-life CPR emergency.
“They have big tongues,” says Mr Sproull. “You’ve got to pull the tongue out first, close the mouth off, and then blow the air in. If the tongue’s not pulled out it just won’t work because it won’t clear the airways.”
A recent vet study suggested 25 percent more animals could be saved if people knew pet first aid.
There are also a few tricks, like applying a ‘distraction bandage’ when dealing with an injured animal.
“If you put a distraction bandage on the other leg or paw, often they’ll bite at that one and play with that before they even go near the one that’s go the injury in it,” says Mr Sproull.
The tips could come in handy for dog walker Michelle Blair, who also runs a charity helping low-income owners de-sex their cats.
“I do think it’s good to have some skills around how to care for your animal and how to be a responsible pet owner, especially if you don’t have a lot of money.”
They are skills that could one day help save a life.
Low income residents in the Dunedin/Taieri area who need assistance to get their cat spayed or neutered can apply to the Pet Fix Charitable Trust… http://petfix.org.nz/index.html or phone Michelle (03 473 6474)
3News
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VIDEO: How to give your pet CPR or First Aid
