Essential First Aid Plus

02/27/2026

Check the Gums. They Tell the Truth

Gum colour can be one of the fastest indicators of a serious emergency.

🩷 Healthy Pink

What it means: Normal circulation and oxygenation.

What to look for: Bubble-gum pink, moist, shiny.

✔ This is your baseline.

⚪ Pale or White

What it could mean: Shock, blood loss, internal bleeding, anemia.

🚨 This is an emergency.

Especially if paired with:
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Rapid heart rate

🔵 Blue or Grey (Cyanotic)

What it means: Not enough oxygen.

🚨 Immediate emergency.

Often seen with:
• Choking
• Respiratory distress
• Severe heart issues

🔴 Bright Brick Red

What it could indicate: Heatstroke, sepsis, severe infection.

🚨 Needs urgent veterinary care.

🟡 Yellow (Jaundice)

What it suggests: Liver disease or red blood cell breakdown.

⚠ Not always a crash emergency — but urgent vet assessment needed.

How to check gum color:

Gently lift the lip
Press with your finger
Release and count

Color should return in 1–2 seconds
(This is called capillary refill time.)

More than 2 seconds? Get checked.

02/26/2026

What is the most dramatic or expensive thing your dog has ever done?

We’ll start…

My dog swallowed a rock the size of an egg. Why and WTH??? It lodged in his small intestine and he needed life-saving surgery.

Your turn 👇

02/23/2026

Congratulations to our latest Canine Emergency First Aiders. Thank you for hosting !!

02/21/2026

Coconut oil can support your pet’s health from the inside out, helping them feel good and look good. 🥥✨

Is it part of your dog or cat’s routine?
🐶😺

02/21/2026

Many equestrians are aware of the signs of severe vitamin E deficiency, which include neurological issues and muscle wasting. However, subtle signs, like stiffness and a poorly developed topline, often go undiagnosed.

Test your knowledge of the signs of vitamin E deficiency at the link in the comments.

02/20/2026

DID YOU KNOW? At Canine Health Canada we offer more courses than just our highly popular Canine CPR & Emergency First Aid. We ALSO offer:

FULL DAY HANDS ON:
Advanced Canine Emergency First Aid
Pregnancy, Whelping & Puppy Emergency First Aid.
Feline CPR and Emergency First Aid
Pet hybrid program for both cats and dogs
Working Police/Military Tactical K9 Emergency First Aid

HALF DAY:
Canine First Aid Fundamentals
Canine Mental Health and Wellness
Disaster Planning & Evacuation Preparation for Emergencies
I Can Help - Dog Safety and First aid basics for kid

02/19/2026

🐾 WHY DO DOGS SNIFF YOUR CROTCH?!

Yes… we’re going there.

If you’ve ever had a dog enthusiastically introduce themselves nose-first to your most awkward area, you are not alone.

Here’s why 👇

🧠 1. It’s a scent goldmine

Dogs experience the world primarily through smell. While humans have about 5–6 million scent receptors, dogs have up to 300 million.

The groin area contains apocrine sweat glands — the same type found in dogs’ scent glands. These glands produce strong chemical signals (pheromones), which dogs find incredibly interesting.

Translation: It’s not personal. It’s just information.

🐶 2. They’re gathering data

When a dog sniffs you there, they’re learning:

• Your age
• Your s*x
• Your emotional state
• Whether you’ve been around other animals
• Hormonal changes (yes — even pregnancy or ovulation)

It’s basically their version of reading your LinkedIn profile.

3. Height matters

Dogs sniff faces of other dogs. But when it comes to humans?

We’re tall. That region is simply the easiest access point for scent information.

🚩 Should you stop it?

Yes — politely.

While it’s natural behavior, it’s not socially acceptable in most human settings. Redirect calmly:

✔️ Step back
✔️ Ask for a sit
✔️ Reward appropriate greeting behavior

No punishment needed — just redirection and boundaries.

🐾 Fun Fact:

Dogs use a special organ called the vomeronasal organ (Jacobson’s organ) to process pheromones. It gives them scent information we can’t even imagine.

So next time it happens…

Take it as a compliment.
You’re interesting. 😆

02/18/2026

TIP TUESDAY – GUMS TELL THE TRUTH

Your pet’s gums are one of the fastest ways to check circulation and shock.

Healthy gums:
• Pink
• Moist
• Refill to pink in under 2 seconds when pressed

⚠️ Concerning gums:
• Pale or white
• Blue or grey
• Sticky or dry
• Slow colour return

👉 Tip: Check gums when your pet is healthy so you know what “normal” looks like before an emergency.
Join us this Saturday at and we will discuss the importance of healthy gums and so much more !

02/17/2026

Good information

💊 It is Medicine Monday! And we bet most owners have a few of these items in their first aid kit. But do you know when to or not to use these products?

🫧 What is betadine scrub?
Betadine scrub is a sudsing iodine that is an antisesptic microbicidal skin cleanser. Patients that have a known sensitivity to chlorhexidine scrub will typically be scrubbed with betadine scrub. For injuries or surgeries near the eyes, betadine scrub is used.

🤎 What is betadine solution?
Betadine solution is a water-based iodine cleanser that is antiseptic and microbiocidal. Commonly used diluted to clean and lavage wounds. And it is great to use diluted in water with epsom salts to soak a foot abscess.

🧼 What is chlorhexidine scrub?
Chlorhexidine scrub is a broad spectrum antimicrobial surgical scrub. It should never be used near the eyes due to the risk of causing permanent corneal damage. And chlorhexidine scrub should always be rinsed off in the event that it may cause irritation. Here at RE we dilute the chlorhexidine scrub.

💙 What is chlorhexidine solution?
Similar to chlorhexidine scrub, chlorhexidine solution is antimicrobial. It can be used to clean wounds and even as a dilute rinse for oral hygiene.

🩸 What is hydrogen peroxide?
Not recommended for wound care, but we love cleaning up horses with it after a bloody procedure.

🤍 What is isopropyl alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is an antiseptic. Do not use isopropyl alcohol on open wounds due to it being cytotoxic, meaning it damages healthy tissues delaying wound healing. Also, isopropyl alcohol causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with nerve endings.

🌊 What is irrigation saline?
Irrigation saline is a sodium chloride solution used for cleansing tissues and lavaging wounds. Typically, wounds are cleaned with betadine or chlorhexidine scrub then thoroughly rinsed with irrigation saline.

🧤 Please follow the recommendations from your veterinarian when it comes to using these products. And wear gloves!

🩺 We always recommend seeking veterinary advice and an exam when it comes to wounds. Wounds may involve important structures including bone, tendon sheaths and/or joints. It is important that wounds be thoroughly examined by your veterinarian so they can recommend appropriate diagnostics, treatment options and possible referral to an equine hospital.

02/17/2026

Kelp is a humble marine plant that’s highly nutritious and quietly becoming a superstar in modern pet nutrition. 🌿🌊

Whether you’re trying to freshen up your dog’s breath, soothe itchy skin, or give your senior pet a gentle boost, kelp might be just what the vet ordered. ✅

📌 But while it has earned its “superfood” reputation, kelp isn’t something to toss into your pet’s bowl right away. It’s important to use it thoughtfully and with proper guidance.

Information from Bark and Whiskers

02/15/2026

Despite their small size, raspberries pack a lot of punch with nutrients your furry companion can enjoy. 🐶🐱

🤔❓ But what’s stopping some pet parents from offering them? Many worry about raspberries naturally containing xylitol – a sugar alcohol that can be harmful to pets.

The good news is that raspberries contain only trace amounts, meaning a few pieces are not considered high risk. When offered in moderation, they can be a meaningful addition to your pet’s diet.

Copied from 🍇

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day ♥️♥️♥️