Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts pet-preparedness clinic


Dr. Devon Diaz of Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch demonstrates how to check a dog for a pulse during a pet first aid presentation at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on the morning of Jan. 25.
Dr. Devon Diaz of Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch demonstrates how to check a dog for a pulse during a pet first aid presentation at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on the morning of Jan. 25.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Many Floridians have become well-versed in the dress rehearsal for hurricanes, but some aspects can be easy to overlook.

One of those can be knowing what to do for your pet before, during and after a natural disaster.

Lakewood Ranch’s Community Emergency Response Team hosted a Pet Emergency First Aid event open to the public at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Jan. 25 to address that issue.

“We’ve had neighbors who have come to other events who have said, ‘OK, this is what I do with CPR or stopping the bleed,’ and yes, we all are trained in that, but I wouldn’t have known how to apply CPR to an animal,” said Jim Curran, director of community outreach for Lakewood Ranch CERT.

“To be honest with you, for a lot of people, their animals are family members, so it’s just as important to them. It just makes sense with what we do to bring it to the animal kingdom as well.”

Dr. Devon Diaz, a veterinarian at Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch who specializes in emergency critical care, gave a presentation on everything that pet owners should do to be ready, and what to do in case preparation isn’t enough. 

Diaz said that 19 percent of the emergency visits at his veterinary clinic after hurricanes Helene and Milton could have been prevented, and reducing that intake could make a monumental difference.


How to prepare

Planning for evacuation isn’t new to anyone who’s experienced a hurricane, but additional steps are a must when pets are involved.

Diaz recommended doing a test run of packing a vehicle with everything a family might need, and everything a pet might need. Necessary pet supplies — such as a crate, leash, collar, food, medicine, sanitation, water, bowls and comfort items — can take up more space than some realize.

Dr. Devon Diaz coaches Lily Sierocki through chest compressions following a pet first aid presentation at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on the morning of Jan. 25.
Photo by Vinnie Portell

If evacuating to a hotel or shelter, it’s also important to check ahead of time to ensure your destination accepts pets. Some hotels and shelters don’t accept pets, while others place limitations on the species and size of the animal.

Diaz said a good rule of thumb for pets is to have three-to-seven days worth of food (including a can opener, scoop/spoon and bowl), seven days worth of water and two weeks worth of medication, at the least.

Typical items that Diaz said is an afterthought for many are medical and identification records and proof of ownership.


What to do in a pet emergency

Even though 75 of the 395 pet emergencies from hurricanes Helene and Milton at Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch could have been prevented, that means 320 of them were unavoidable. 

In some cases, cardiopulmonary resuscitation might be needed, and pets are administered CPR in a different manner than humans, Diaz said.

After checking for breath and a pulse, dogs are to be given chest compressions with two hands and cats with one — depressing from one-third to one-half of the chest cavity. 

To blow air, the pet’s mouth must be sealed and hard breaths are to be administered into the nose.

Diaz said a good average to stick to is two breaths to every 30 compressions, if the CPR is being done by one person, or 10 breaths per minute with two people.

When pets are bleeding, Diaz said to direct pressure, pack the wound and use a stretch wrap and tuck tourniquet. 

Overheating can also be an issue in Florida because humidity over 35% can jeopardize evaporative cooling. Animals should be cooled down to 104 degrees Fahrenheit before transport, using immersion in tepid water if available.

For more information on how to handle pet emergencies, the staff at Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch can be reached at 15205 Garnet Trail, Bradenton, FL 34211 or over the phone at (941) 739-1800.

 

Latest News

Sponsored Content