First Aid for Dogs and Cats Offered at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital March 1

Do you know what to do in case of a medical emergency involving your dog or cat? According to Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, your actions in a critical situation can play an important part in your pet’s survival of a medical emergency.

To help instruct pet owners, the student chapter of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society is offering "First Aid Course for Cats and Dogs" from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 1 on the first floor of the new Argus Wing of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 300 W. Drake Road in Fort Collins. The cost of the event, including lunch, is $35 for pre-registered guests and $40 at the door. Early registration is due by Feb. 21.

The seminar will feature Dr. Tim Hackett, chief of the critical care unit at the VTH. The six-hour class will include a combination of lectures and labs presented by Colorado State veterinarians and veterinary students. Topics of discussion include pet CPR, bandaging, common poisons, insect stings, snakebites, trauma and heat stroke.

Hackett emphasized that pet owners should be prepared in the event of a medical emergency to prolong the lives of their pets.

"Emergencies happen," said Hackett. "It is important for pet owners to be able to recognize symptoms of common emergencies and to identify abnormal symptoms by knowing what’s normal for each animal. They should also know what resources are available for a late night or weekend emergencies."

The seminar is not meant to replace veterinary care, but gives pet owners skills to manage emergency situations and increase the animal’s chance of survival before arrival at the veterinary clinic.

Animal first-aid kits, including ways to monitor a cat or dog’s temperature and heart rate, will be available on pre-registration forms or at the event for $25. A portion of the first-aid book proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross and the U.S. Humane Society.

The proceeds of the event will go to sponsor Colorado State veterinary students attending the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium in New Orleans this September. This event is considered one of the top veterinary conferences in the world to train veterinarians and veterinary students to practice the best medicine possible.

For more information or for registration details, contact Chap Pratt at (970) 226-3197 or e-mail at csufirstaidcourse03@hotmail.com. Registration forms can be found online at www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/sveccs/.