Veterinary care professionals on Salt Spring Island have taken an innovative step in response to the challenge of limited after-hours medical care on an island: training pet owners to be their own first responders, and empowering them to share knowledge.
The Gulf Island Veterinary Clinic (GIVC) put on its first Pet First Aid clinic Friday, Jan. 24, in an effort to equip pet owners with essential skills to handle common pet emergencies whenever their regular vet might not be available –– and help identify which issues require professional help right away.
Participants gained hands-on experience in assessing a pet’s condition, checking vital signs and identifying signs of illness or injury. The one-day course included a wealth of information on spotting various problems pets on Salt Spring might encounter, and also covered first aid techniques for cuts, burns, broken bones and poisoning –– including the basics of CPR administration.
“Being prepared for unexpected pet emergencies can be crucial in remote areas like ours,” said registered veterinary technician Kim McIntyre. “The GIVC team is committed to ‘caring to make a difference’ in the lives of pets and our community.”
Pet owners who took part in the clinic were also provided with a customized first aid kit –– stocked with items not readily available after hours –– to address some common pet ailments and injuries. The clinic has also partnered with virtual veterinary care provider Smart.Vet for a 24-7 online “continuity of care” service. McIntyre said staff at Smart.Vet were familiar with the kit’s contents and could direct clients on how to administer appropriate aid using available resources –– and had up-to-the-minute information at their fingertips on which off-island emergency facilities could take a pet right away.
GIVC is likely to run more instructional clinics, according to staff, adding interested pet owners could contact their office and watch for future opportunities to learn these life-saving skills.