Pet First Aid – ONLINE – self guided class – Available everyday!!
Online
You love your pets, and want to give them the best life possible; being equipped to deliver first aid and provide a healthy lifestyle for your pet is the best way to do that. In this course, you will learn the basics of providing first aid care for your cat or dog, and will learn how to best give care for common emergency situations. This 1 hour online course covers understanding your pet’s vital signs, breathing and cardiac emergencies, wounds and bleeding, seizures, and preventative care for cats and dogs. This course is desktop and tablet compatible.
Register Here
Certifications are issued upon completion of the online course.
Once Registered, you will receive self guided course from Canvas. – This is a final quiz to complete at the end.
🐾 Pet First Aid Basics
Always stay calm and act swiftly. Your pet’s safety may depend on it.
🚨 Common Emergencies & What To Do
🩸 Bleeding
- What to do:
- Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
- Elevate the limb if possible.
- If bleeding doesn’t stop within 5-10 minutes, get to a vet.
💔 CPR for Dogs & Cats
- Step 1: Check for breathing and pulse (inside hind leg for pulse).
- Step 2: If no breathing/pulse, lay pet on side.
- Step 3:
- For medium/large dogs: Compress chest 1/3 to 1/2 width, 100-120 times per minute.
- For small dogs/cats: Use one hand to compress both sides of the chest.
- Step 4: Give rescue breaths (mouth over nose) every 30 compressions.
- Continue until breathing/pulse returns or you reach a vet.
🌡️ Heatstroke
- Symptoms: Panting, drooling, vomiting, collapse.
- What to do:
- Move pet to a cool, shaded area.
- Apply cool (not cold) water to the body.
- Offer small sips of water.
- Get to a vet immediately.
🐍 Snake Bite / Insect Sting
- What to do:
- Keep pet calm and still to slow venom spread.
- Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Identify the snake if safe to do so.
- Go to the vet ASAP.
☠️ Poisoning
- What to do:
- Try to identify the substance.
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless told by a vet or poison control.
- Call Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435).
🦴 Choking
- Signs: Pawing at mouth, coughing, blue gums.
- What to do:
- Open mouth carefully and try to remove object.
- If not reachable, perform pet Heimlich maneuver (firm thrusts behind ribcage).
- Still choking? Head to vet immediately.
📦 Pet First Aid Kit Essentials
- Digital thermometer
- Tweezers & scissors
- Sterile gauze & tape
- Hydrogen peroxide (for wound cleaning—not for inducing vomiting unless directed)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Muzzle (injured pets may bite)
- Blanket or towel
- Pet first aid manual
