Essential First Aid Plus

Thank you again Core Creative for these 2 sided brochures! They are always a hit at the trade shows !

Presenting.... the AMAZING..... towel.

Not every emergency needs fancy equipment.

Sometimes, a simple towel can be one of the most useful tools you have.

A large towel can help you:

🐾 Support a dog that can’t walk by using it as a sling
🐾 Stabilize an injured dog for transport (we teach proper wrapping techniques in our classes!
🐾 Prevent slipping on slick floors
🐾 Create a quick stretcher in an emergency - big dogs WILL need 2 people
🐾 Gently wrap a frightened or injured small dog in a ‘burrito’ hold
🐾 Provide a ‘tool’ to tightly wrap an anxious dog - think ‘thunder jacket’

Simple. Cheap. Effective.

💡 Keep an old towel in your car, first aid kit, and by your front door.

You’ll probably never regret having one.

Do you keep an emergency towel handy? Let us know what you’ve used towels for with your pets if you have another hack to add!

PetFirstAid CanineHealthCanada DogOwners EmergencyPreparedness

NOT ALL BLOAT LOOKS LIKE BLOAT 🚨

When people think of bloat, they often picture a huge swollen belly.

But sometimes that swelling isn’t obvious—especially in the early stages.

That’s what makes it so dangerous.

Some of the first signs may look like:

• Pacing
• Restlessness
• Drooling
• Looking at the belly
• Repeatedly trying to get comfortable
• Attempting to vomit but nothing comes up

Many owners mistake it for anxiety, stomach upset, or just “acting weird.”

But bloat can become life-threatening very quickly.

Time matters.

If your dog is showing these signs—especially repeated unproductive retching—don’t wait to “see if it passes.”

This is one of those emergencies where acting fast can save a life.

Sometimes the biggest warning sign is what you don’t see.

👇 Did you know bloat doesn’t always come with a swollen belly?

DogHealth KnowTheSigns EmergencyVet DogSafety PetFirstAid

🎉 Celebrating 5 Years as a Certified Equine First Aid Instructor! 🐴❤️

Today I’m celebrating 5 years of teaching equine first aid and helping horse owners, riders, barn staff, and equine professionals gain the confidence and skills to respond when emergencies happen.

Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of training amazing students who are dedicated to keeping horses safe and healthy. Thank you to everyone who has attended a course, supported my business, and shared in this journey.

Here’s to continuing to educate, empower, and promote equine health and safety for many years to come!

🐴 Learn • Prepare • Respond
❤️ Equine Emergency First Aid
🎉 Thank you for being part of this journey!

EssentialFirstAidPlus HorseOwners EquestrianLife EquineEducation 5YearAnniversary

🆕 NEW PRODUCT ALERT! 🆕

Stay prepared with our Laminated Emergency Contact Sheets!

✔ Printed on durable card stock and laminated for long-lasting use
✔ Write directly on the sheet with a dry erase marker and update information anytime
✔ Available as a blank reusable version or customized with your information already filled in
✔ Perfect for homes, barns, pet owners, horse owners, vehicles, and emergency preparedness kits

Keep important contacts and emergency information at your fingertips when every second counts.

Message us today to order your customized Emergency Contact Sheet!

Essential First Aid Plus
📞 905-505-2537
📧 [email protected] EmergencyPreparedness SafetyFirst BePrepared

🍫🐶 My Dog Ate Chocolate – What Should I Do? 🐶🍫

Chocolate can be toxic to dogs and should always be taken seriously.

✅ Stay calm
✅ Remove any remaining chocolate
✅ Determine what type of chocolate was eaten (dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous)
✅ Estimate how much was consumed and your dog’s weight
✅ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately for advice

⚠️ Signs of chocolate toxicity may include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Restlessness or hyperactivity
• Increased heart rate
• Tremors
• Seizures

The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.

🐾 Knowing what to do in a pet emergency can make all the difference. Learn essential life-saving skills in our Canine Emergency First Aid courses. Canine Health Canada

🐾❤️

Can There Be Too Much Fetch?

Most dogs LOVE playing fetch. But what many owners don't realize is that endless games of fetch can sometimes do more harm than good.

⚠️ Repetitive chasing, sprinting, twisting, and sudden stops place significant stress on a dog's body.

Over time, this can contribute to:

🐾 Muscle strains
🐾 Joint wear and tear
🐾 Cruciate ligament injuries ($$$)
🐾 Shoulder injuries
🐾 Overheating
🐾 Sore paws and pads

Some dogs are especially prone to overdoing it.

Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Jack Russell Terriers often won't stop simply because they're tired.

They'll keep going because they're having fun. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm can sometimes lead to injury. Take frequent breaks whether they want to or not, and watch for these signs during and after play:

• Slowing down
• Excessive panting
• Limping or stiffness
• Lagging behind on walks
• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
• Sore paws

A healthier approach?

✅ Mix fetch with sniff breaks
✅ Take water and rest breaks
✅ Use shorter sessions
✅ Add training games between throws
✅ Watch your dog's body language

Remember:

Exercise isn't just about burning energy.

Mental stimulation, training, and enrichment often tire a dog out more effectively than throwing a ball 100 times.

Does your dog have an "off switch" during fetch, or would they play forever if you let them?

Credit Canine Health Canada

Tell us below! ⬇️

One of the strangest behaviors a dog can show may be a medical emergency !!

It’s called ‘HEAD PRESSING’

Have you seen your dog standing with their head against the wall?

This is one of those signs that looks strange rather than urgent. But it can be serious.

A dog repeatedly pressing their head against walls, furniture, or corners may be experiencing a serious neurological issue.

Possible causes include:

• Brain inflammation
• Liver disease
• Toxin exposure
• Stroke
• Brain tumour
• Head trauma

A tired dog resting their head on your lap is normal.

A dog deliberately pressing their head into a wall is not.