Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital Hosts Class on First Aid for Fluffy and Fido

Do you know how to save your pet’s life in an emergency?

If not the Student Chapter of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society at Colorado State is offering a half-day first aid program that can help pet owners keep Fluffy and Fido healthy.

The program runs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 11 in Room 101 Pathology Building on Lake Street on the main campus. Breakfast and lunch are included. The cost is $30 for those who register by Oct. 30 and $35 after that date. Proceeds go to SVECCS.

The First Aid for Dogs and Cats seminar will feature a lecture by Dr. Tim Hackett, clinician in the critical care unit at Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, followed by hands-on practical labs led by veterinary students using stuffed animals. Live animals are not used and participants are advised not to bring their own pet.

"One of the most important things to know about your pet is the normal values such as temperature and heart rate," said Renee Bufkin, president of SVECCS and one of the participating veterinary students. "Know how your animal looks when it’s healthy and you’ll be able to recognize immediately when something is wrong."

Topics include pet cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bandaging and how to handle poisonings, insect stings, snake bites, trauma and heat stroke. The seminar is not meant to replace veterinary care, but gives pet owners the skills to manage emergency situations and increase the animal’s chance of survival before arrival at the veterinary clinic.

"Even if your veterinarian is only a few minutes away, being able to perform these simple procedures could save your animal’s life," Hackett said. "In an emergency, every moment is critical and improper moving could have could have a profound effect."

Animal first aid kits will be available for $25. The kits include essential items for treating common emergencies including tape and bandages, a thermometer, emergency telephone numbers and a list of vital statistics for healthy pets.

Sponsors are Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Tyco/Kendall Healthcare.

For more information and to register, contact Renee Bufkin at (970) 207-0840 or send e-mail to rbufkin@cvmbs.colostate.edu.