Image Credit: Shutterstock
June 26, 2016 - 8:30 AM
KAMLOOPS - Pet owners in Kamloops recently had the opportunity to learn how to give first aid to their furry friends, including how to treat heat stroke.
Simone Krebser, owner of K9 Possible Dog Training and a Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid instructor, is reminding people that dogs aren't the only animals who can suffer from heat stroke.
"It's the same danger for cats as for dogs," Krebser says. "Heat stroke can happen to any pet, just like it can happen to any owner. What people have to be careful with if they have indoor cats is to make sure they have enough ventilation or air flow (in the house).”
Recently 12 owners met up with Krebser to learn how to treat their pets in emergency situations. The course covered CPR, choking management, and treating bleeding, wounds, heat stroke and poison.
Krebser says some of the most crucial steps to take if you feel your pet, or someone else's, is experiencing heat stroke are:
-
Get them into a shaded area
-
Soak blankets in cold water and drape them over the animal
-
Encourage them to drink water
-
Monitor their vital signs
-
Take them to a veterinarian
Krebser says some signs indicating heat stroke include unresponsiveness, unconsciousness, excited barking and/or whining while looking for a way out of an enclosed space, bright red gums, and their temperature being 40 degrees or more.
One thing Krebser says is crucial to remember, your pet isn't immune to heat stroke when they're indoors.
"Heat stroke can even happen in your home if there is not enough air flow."
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or call 250-319-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016