First aid for Fido

Many Americans pride themselves on physical well-being. They stay fit. They practice preventative medicine. They study first aid.

But in this swirl of good health, who's looking out for Fido and his feline counterpart?

Why do pets take a back seat when it comes to first aid?

I had to ask myself that question days ago as I was boiling a pot of water. The instant I slipped the pan off of the red-hot burner, my cat leaped onto the stove, literally cooking the delicate pads of his front left paw. I will never forget the sizzling sound, the smell -- or my sense of helplessness.

I did not know how to help. As it turns out, that lack of knowledge is not uncommon.

"The reality is, even many police officers and firemen -- professionals who deal with wounded animals every day -- never receive training on how to save their lives," said Arthur Levy, a former firefighter, EMT and president of Apogee Communications Group, in Boulder, Colo.

Why?

"We tend to see our pets and animals in general as self-reliant," said Nelle Coler, American Red Cross Emergency Services Coordinator in Coeur d'Alene. "But we should think of them a lot like we think of our kids."

Many of the same common-sense first-aid techniques we use for people can be adapted for pets, according to Coler. "If your cat burns his paw, you place it under cold water just as you would a human burn-victim's wound," she said.

"If you suspect your dog has a spinal injury, use a rigid object like a backboard or a door to transport it for medical attention," Levy said. "I can't tell you the number of times I've seen injuries where the consequences might have been different if people hadn't panicked and picked the dog up without thinking."

But there are some very toxic exceptions. Never use human pain relievers for pets without consulting a veterinarian. "And syrup of ipecac is dangerously toxic for cats and dogs," Coler said.

"If you want to induce vomiting, use a diluted formula of hydrogen peroxide and water -- 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to 1 tablespoon water for each pound of your dog's body weight," she said. "They'll start to vomit if you feed them that -- and fast."

Vomiting is not always the best solution for a pet's ingestion of poison, however.

"Some toxins are as dangerous coming up as they are going down," she said. "It's best to call the National Animal Poison Control number (800-548-2423) anytime you suspect your pet might have swallowed something poisonous."

"We suggest you take an American Red Cross pet first-aid class for hands-on experience," Levy said.

"Then watch our videos several times a year to stay current."

Apogee's 34-minute videos - "Pet Emergency Aid for Cats" and another for dogs - are highly recommended by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Cats. See the Apogee Web site at http:// www.firstaidforpets.com for "RealVideo" snippets or to order each $19.95 tape.

The most common injuries animals encounter are to their eyes and feet, Levy said.

"And poisoning is always a problem for dogs, especially from antifreeze," Levy said.

"Cats will brush against some type of household poison under a sink, experience foot injuries (like the stove accident) or suffer venomous bites when they try to capture or ingest spiders and insects."

Kevin Fitzgerald, a veterinarian on TV's Animal Planet, helped Apogee narrow the field of focus "and keep the videos real," Levy said.

Both Levy and Coler agree that a pet first-aid kit is a good idea.

"PetPac (800-217-7387) has a good kit for about $25," Levy said. An extensive first-aid kit comes from Harbor Safety for $39.95 (http:/ /www.practicaltrauma.com/ pet.html). American Sun Pet First Aid Kit sells one for $23.99 (http:/ /www.americansun.com/pet.html).

Books can also be helpful - if you read them.

"The American Red Cross has a great book called `Pet First Aid,'" Levy said. (http://www.redcross.org/ hss/pets.html) "Rescuing Rover, A First Aid Disaster Guide for Dog Owners" by Sebastian Heath is outstanding, as is "First Aid for Wildlife: Basic Care for Birds and Mammals," by Irene Ruth.

"Pet first aid is like anything else," Levy said. "The more you know, the better your odds."

But remember, these techniques are meant to buy the precious lifesaving minutes it takes to rush your pet to a veterinary hospital.

"They're meant to help you form a partnership with your vet, not to replace him," Levy said. "Not seeing a vet could wind up costing your animal its life."

Copyright 1999 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.