Canine first aid training: useful for the holidays!

Ticks, mosquitoes, heatstroke, salt, paw pad problems, jellyfish stings (a shout-out to Musher!)... When you go on vacation with your dog, you're no longer at home. You're in a different environment, and you're never completely safe from minor mishaps. Do you know how to help your dog if something happens? Do you know the first aid techniques that can save lives?

I interviewed Cécile, who took a canine first aid course with @secourismecaninfelinequin. She tells us about her experience during this training day.

Don't wait until you have an accident with your dog to ask yourself what the right things to do are. For Cécile, a paramedic who is well-versed in first aid for humans, knowing these techniques for her dog was a no-brainer! Fidji (her third Labrador!) is part of her family and they always go on vacation together. "So you have to be prepared for all eventualities; it's just common sense."

The training day lasts 7 hours for a cost of 90 euros, it is a training open to all from 10 years old.

Several topics are covered in a canine first aid training course : anatomy, vital signs, transporting an injured animal, airway obstruction, hemorrhages, wounds, burns, drownings, eye injuries, fainting, evisceration, heatstroke, envenomation, poisoning, gastric torsion…A very comprehensive program!

First aid training also shows you how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a dog , or cardiac massage to put it simply): this can be very useful in case of an accident with your dog.

In short, during this training, you alternate between theory and practice on dog models to learn lifesaving gestures. The course does not take place with your animal for convenience and safety reasons.

After this day Cécile left with a training certificate.

“I think, but bear in mind this is just my opinion, that everyone should know canine first aid . I've never needed this knowledge myself, but at least I know I'll be prepared if the need arises.”

This training will equip you with the right reflexes and actions to take if you find yourself in an emergency situation with your dog , but it can in no way replace the expertise of a veterinarian. These are initial steps to take before rushing to your vet. To ensure there are no lasting effects, consult a vet and, above all, have good insurance for your dog, as veterinary bills can be hefty and ruin the end of your vacation.

Musher is a big foodie. When we're on vacation or out and about, I always watch what she's doing. She never strays from us and never tries to run away.. but she eats anything.

I'll tell you an anecdote: this summer, we're going to the beach. I install my towel, I change and lose sight of Musher for a few minutes… She took the opportunity to bite into a jellyfish washed up on the edge of the shore. What panic! I packed everything up and rushed off to the vet.

Veterinary visits are often expensive, but you can limit the impact on your budget by taking out pet insurance that reimburses veterinary fees . Depending on your insurance company and the plan you choose, all or part of your pet's healthcare expenses may be covered. For example, the WILMO pet insurance range from Wilhelm offers simple, transparent plans with no deductible to avoid any complications with reimbursements. This type of insurance covers medical veterinary expenses (consultations, medications, etc.) and surgical costs, such as hospitalization. Have you considered discussing your options with your insurer? If you don't yet have one and are feeling a bit lost, there are websites that can help you choose the right insurance!

If you are familiar with life-saving techniques and have good insurance for your dog , all you need is a first aid kit to be fully equipped in case of an emergency.

At the end of her canine first aid training, the training organization offered Cécile a complete dog first aid kit . She didn't take it home because she already has one! Do you know what you should put in your pet's first aid kit ? I'll show you the contents of mine below.

I use a first aid kit which contains:

• a compress

• band with integrated compress

• bandaging tape

• sticking plaster

• two disinfectant wipes

• a dosing pipette to rinse the wound, hydrate your dog or give him his medication

• tweezers

• a pair of sterile gloves to put on before handling your dog

• a tic tire

• a flea comb

• a muzzle cord: to muzzle the dog and avoid defensive bites if your care hurts him

Do not overlook a few emergency tools that may seem futile to you… The tweezers really saved my day once! Musher got stung by wasps during a walk, luckily I had tweezers to remove the stingers...

This kit is well-equipped, but I think it's missing a few really useful things… I started with this basic kit and added to it. To find out what I added, check out the article I wrote a while ago in the magazine, “ What should your dog's first aid kit contain? ”