Knowing Normal: Class teaches animal CPR

"Knowing normal", that seemed to be the common theme Dr. Cory Tebay reiterated throughout the third biennial animal CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and first aid event organized by himself and Patti Reed.

Tebay expressed comprehensively during the event the importance of knowing the normal in your pet. This included things such as, heart rate, respirations, capillary refill, behaviors and coat. Knowing these things could help prevent and assess what is going on with your pet and help with early detection.

"Prevention is easier than treatment," Tebay said.

While pet first aid and CPR is by no means a replacement for veterinary care, there are some things you can learn to help care for your pet until they can get proper medical attention and buy your animal time, Tebay expressed.

"Having this type of class will help when you have to call your vet in an emergency situation and help your vet assess the situation and be better prepared so it can be treated promptly," he said.

Tebay conveyed the importance of when an emergency situation arises; to take note of the environment the animal was in when it happened.

"Sometimes people are not close to a veterinary clinic, like when people are camping on a trail, or live out of town and having the knowledge and skills the animal first aid and CPR class will be able to help in an emergency," Reed said. "Understanding the basic anatomy and where internal organs are will help assess if the situation is urgent or if it's an emergency; there is a big difference."

Tebay also discussed things such as the importance of vaccinations and what the dangers of over-vaccination of an animal are. An attendee of the class 10-year-old Shayla Hamilton asked Tebay "Have you ever vaccinated a snake?" Tebay replied that he had indeed vaccinated a snake.

Reed said, "That was a great question, it is questions like these that people never think to ask that participants get the opportunity to ask by attending CPR and first aid classes. People learn the missing pieces to help keep their pets safe."