The American Red Cross' newest first aid tool puts lifesaving information into the hands of pet owners.
The Red Cross Pet First Aid App can be accessed on a smartphone and gives users the tools needed to deal with emergencies encountered by Fido and Fluffy.
"Pet owners learn how to recognize health problems and when to contact their veterinarian," Peter M. Brown, Red Cross executive CEO, said in a statement. "The Pet First Aid App provides step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more than 25 common first aid and emergency situations including how to treat wounds, control bleeding and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies."
It also provides expert information on maintaining a pet's health.
As a communications officer with Red Cross's Northeastern Pennsylvania region, Jennifer LoConte has every Red Cross app on her smartphone.
"I was especially interested in the new pet app because I have two cats," she said. "Being senior cats, they, just like older adults, exhibit signs of aging and sometimes disease so I was very interested to look up information on the app."
One of the felines was recently diagnosed with diabetes, she noted.
"Of course, he went to the vet right away; however, I was interested to look up some of his symptoms on the app," she said.
LoConte said the app has other handy features, such as tips for traveling with a pet, including information on pet-friendly hotels and directions to emergency veterinarian hospitals from a user's current location. It also has lost pet website links as well as a symptoms library, emergency tips and even a "when to say goodbye" link, she said.
"I also like that I can add a photo of each cat with vet information and current medications," LoConte added. "It's very interactive."
The app also features interactive quizzes that allow users to earn badges they can share through social networking.
And, because the Red Cross has found that some people do not evacuate their homes without their pets during disasters, the app contains resources to help owners include pets in emergency action plans.
The app and other Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App and Google Play stores or by going to www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps.
