First Aid for Dogs and Cats Offered at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital Oct. 25

Do you know what to do in the 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 role in your pet’s survival in a medical emergency.

To help instruct pet owners, the student chapter of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society is offering a First Aid Course for Cats and Dogs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25 on the first floor of the 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 Oct. 15.

The seminar will feature Dr. Tim Hackett, chief of the Critical Care Unit at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. 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," Hackett said. "It is important for pet owners to be able to recognize symptoms of common emergencies and be able 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 emergency."

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 arriving at the veterinary clinic.

Animal first aid kits, including ways to monitor a cat or dog’s temperature and heart rate, will be available with pre-registration 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.

Proceeds of the event will sponsor Colorado State veterinary students attending the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium in San Diego in September 2004. This event is considered one of the top veterinary conferences in the world, training veterinarians and veterinary students to practice the best medicine possible.

For more information or for registration details, contact Chap Pratt at (970) 218-7281 or send e-mail to csufirstaidcourse03@hotmail.com.

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