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In this lesson, we're going to dig into cat and dog fever, while also reiterating once more the difference between external factors that can cause heating vs. internal factors that can do the same. At the end of the lesson, we're getting to provide you with some information on becoming a pet first aid instructor, for those of you considering using this course as a stepping stone to something greater.
You may recall from a previous lesson the difference between a dog heating up due to a virus vs. a hot environment. In one instance, your brain is telling your body to heat up as a form of protection. While in the other, it's hardly a matter of protection; instead it's a matter of survival. Being able to recognize the difference between these two scenarios will again be important for this lesson.
If your pet has a fever, she'll also have an elevated temperature. But unlike those cases of overheating due to external factors, she won't feel warm and she won't be trying to cool herself off. Her brain has instructed her body to get warmer, not cooler. This is similar to what happens when people get a fever.
Just like when you get the seasonal flu, a cold shower is the last thing you would want. The same is also true for your pet when she has a fever. In fact, she may still want to get warmer and may even be shivering. If she is, wrap her up in a blanket.
Pro Tip: It's important to not give any medications to your pet, even if she has a fever. Medications like aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are made for humans and may actually be harmful for your pet, depending on the underlying cause of the fever. In some cases, those medications may even be toxic to your pets, and actually, Tylenol is just that to cats.
It's also important to assess your pet's behaviors and vital signs to determine what's going on with her. If everything else appears normal, it may be reasonable to keep an eye on her and make a veterinary appointment in a day or two.
However, if you notice more abnormalities in addition to the fever, you should probably seek immediate veterinary care. Always err on the side of caution and know that emergencies can pop up suddenly.
Why Become a Pet First Aid Instructor?
If you're taking this course simply to help your own furry little family, that's great! But if you have ideas of maybe teaching these skills to other people like you one day, we have a special program to share with you. And since Cara Armour has already said it better than we ever could, we'll let her take it from here.
If a dog was hit by a car or a curious kitten began choking on a strand of string would you know what to do? Would you like to know what to do and be able to share that knowledge with others?
Knowing what to do in the minutes following a pet emergency could save a pet's life and being that person who teaches pet life-saving information would be amazing.
People rarely think about pet emergencies but always want to be prepared. Knowing what to do not only reduces the stress for the pet, it can also help save on veterinary bills.
ProPetHero is proud to partner with Master Instructor Arden Moore, a national leader in pet health, safety and behavior to bring you our veterinarian-approved pet first aid & CPR instructor program.
Training is live and conducted over a two-day period (there are four each year), but it's also delivered via live video feed so you can literally live anywhere and still attend. And classes are kept purposely small for better results.
If you're interested in reading more about this life-saving program, you can do that here: Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor Program.
