First Aid For Cats and Dogs
Despite our best efforts to provide a safe and healthy environment, dogs and cats can become ill or injured unexpectedly. It is important to know how to respond to emergencies using first aid measures. Being able to act quickly could save a dog’s or cat’s life.
Read through the resource linked below. Pay careful attention to the list of first aid supplies that every pet caretaker should have on hand.
First Aid Tips for Pet Owners (AVMA)
Administering Medication
If your dog or cat needs medication, you must follow the directions of a licensed veterinarian or animal health technician. Do not administer medications unless your pet has been prescribed it or you have been directed by a veterinarian or animal health technician.
Administering medications to a dog or cat can be challenging, especially if the animal is sick, scared or in pain. Some medications are not very tasty and this also contributes to difficulties in getting the dog or cat to take their medicine. In some cases, medications can be hidden in food while other times it must be given directly to the animal’s mouth. You can learn more about administering oral medications from these resources:
Giving Pills to Dogs (VCA Animal Hospitals)
Giving Liquid Medication to Dogs (VCA Animal Hospitals)
Giving Pills to Cats (VCA Animal Hospitals)
Giving Liquid Medication to Cats (VCA Animal Hospitals)
Activity 4.5 – First Aid
Take a few minutes to complete the following activity.
- Open your copy of the activities booklet for this module which you saved on your computer at the beginning of the module.
- Scroll down to the “First Aid” activity item in the booklet.
- Complete each of the activities outlined in the instructions.
- SAVE your work.
When you are done, proceed to the next item here in the online course.