PAWPRINTS

Archive for April, 2009

Few pet parents are aware that our animal companions face  risks rangiong from respiratory problems to cancer when exposed to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is unsafe for pets as well as humans.One recent study shows that nearly 30 percent of pets live with at least one smoker. This is a grave concern, according to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Medical Director of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, since secondhand smoke can damage the nervous systems of both cats and dogs.

“Tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans,” says Dr. Gwaltney-Brant. “Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts.”

Cats who live with smokers are prone to developing malignant lymphoma, perhaps as a result of ingesting carcinogenic residue when it settles on their fur. Dogs  are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke’s respiratory effects, and can develop life-threatening nasal and lung cancers.

Nicotine is  highly toxic to animals if ingested. A dog who accidentally eats tobacco may develop weakness, muscle twitching, decreased breathing rate, and finally collapse, coma and possibly death. The ASPCA strongly recommends keeping your pet away from tobacco as well as secondhand smoke.

Avoid smoking around your pet  Smoke outside and preserve the lungs of your furry children.

Taking a pet first aid class could save your pet’s life.

Countless emergencies can be averted and accidents  prevented by the the owner or Pet Care Professional being trained in pet first aid.  

Red Cross Pet First aid classes, which last about four hours, are a combination of lecture, discussion, video presentation and live demonstration. They can be taught for dogs, cats or both, and topics include actions to take in an emergency — such as CPR and controlling bleeding.

Students learn how to perform CPR and rescue breathing on stuffed animals modified to simulate lungs and airways. Pet mannequins are also used to practice making emergency muzzles out of cloth strips. These can be necessary for human safety when an animal is in pain. Students also learn when not to muzzle, when the emergency involves choking or difficulty in breathing. 

The Red Cross first began offering pet first aid classes in 1997; prices are set by individual chapters. The course was revised in 2007 to separate care for cats and dogs, which are different in some important respects. (American Red Cross Pet First Aid)

“A cat is not a small dog,” says Deborah C. Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania, veterinary adviser to the Red Cross. For instance, she says, while urinary blockage is possible in dogs, in cats it’s one of the most common life-threatening problems, and it’s critical to recognize the signs.

Another source for pet first aid classes is Pet Tech, which has 300 trained instructors in 30 states, Canada and Mexico. Started 13 years ago by Thom Somes, a former emergency medical technician and a human first aid instructor, the company offers first aid and CPR, dental care, and senior pet care classes.

PetSaver™ Training is a one-day course designed for pet owners as well as Pet Care Professionals. Pet Tech Instructor (PTI) Training is a three-day course that will train you to teach the PetSaver™ course to pet owners andPet Care Professionals in your area.

Pet Tech is the first international training center dedicated to First Aid, CPR & Care for dogs and cats .

For more information, contact the Red Cross in your area, or visit the Pet Tech site: http://www.pettech.net/