Essential First Aid Plus

Home
Canada
Aurora, ON
Essential First Aid Plus

Certified Equi-Health Canada,
Canine Health Canada & Feline Health Canada First Aid Instructor
(1)

09/29/2025

If your horse has a cough that persists into exercise or is heard while your equine friend is at rest in the barn, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about evaluating your horse for respiratory disease. It could be a problem with the upper airway (the nasal passages and throat) or the lower airway (the lungs).

While waiting for your appointment, try decreasing your horse’s exposure to dust, as that is a primary trigger for lower respiratory disease such as asthma or heaves.

Some simple things you can do include avoiding straw bedding, not using a leaf blower on barn aisles, and not storing hay or bedding above your horse’s stall. Last but not least, while us humans may be more comfortable with all the barn doors closed on colder days, your horses’ lungs will appreciate open doors/windows and good ventilation!

As always, if you have questions or would like to learn more about preserving your horse’s respiratory health, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!
•
Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

Copied fromAmerican Association of Equine Practitioners

09/28/2025

The Hidden Condition Behind Big Appetite and Weight Loss in Cats 🐈💢

If your cat eats plenty but still loses weight, something deeper may be going on. One possible cause is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) – a hidden disorder where the pancreas no longer produces enough digestive enzymes. In this condition, food may be eaten eagerly, but the body can’t absorb the nourishment it contains, leaving a cat perpetually hungry yet steadily losing weight. 😿

Copied from bark & whiskers

09/26/2025

DO YOU KNOW WHAT A GUTTURAL POUCH IS?

The horse’s guttural pouches are a pair of air-filled sacs in the throatlatch region. They are an extension of the eustachian tubes, which in humans are tiny tubes connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat.

In horses, guttural pouches are lined with a thin membrane and are surrounded by several very important structures, including the internal carotid artery and cranial nerves that control facial expression, swallowing, and upper respiratory tract function. A long, thin stylohyoid bone divides each guttural pouch into lateral and medial compartments. These pouches can be the source of various bacterial and fungal infections.

One of the conditions that can affect guttural pouches is guttural pouch empyema, or pus in the guttural pouches; this often stems from streptococcal infections (like “Streptococcus equi”, the bacteria that causes strangles). In a horse affected by strangles, for instance, an abscessed retropharyngeal lymph node can rupture and drain pus into the adjacent guttural pouches. Pus that remains there for a long period can dry out and form chondroids (see picture); these firm balls of pus can be difficult to remove from the guttural pouches and can cause a horse that appears healthy to continuously shed infectious bacteria and infect other horses.

As always, consult your veterinarian for more information and to discuss any concerning changes in your horse.
Copied from American Association of Equine Practitioners

09/25/2025

⚠️ Pretty on Plates, Risky for Pets ⚠️

Some herbs can boost your pet’s health, but chives do not. They contain thiosulfates and disulfides, the same compounds that make onions and leeks toxic. Even small amounts can cause serious health issues, including:

❗ Anemia
❗ Kidney failure
❗ Jaundice
❗ Digestive problems

If you’re growing or storing chives at home, keep them away from curious paws and out of their food bowls. 🌿🚫

Copied from bark & whiskers

09/23/2025

Is your dog eating dirt? Here’s some Common Reasons Why:

Nutritional Deficiency: A lack of certain essential minerals and nutrients in their diet can lead to some dogs seeking out alternate sources of nutrition, including dirt.

Boredom: Dogs can get bored, just like humans. Digging in and eating dirt may be a way to entertain themselves.

Exploration: Dogs use their noses and mouths to explore the world around them. They may just find the dirt to be something interesting in their environment.

Upset Stomach: Your dog may eat dirt as a way to try to induce vomiting to alleviate the discomfort.

Pica: Pica is a behavioural condition in which a dog eats items that are not food. Dirt could be one of these non-food items.

Instinctive Behavior: Dogs may have an instinct to eat dirt because of a natural behavior to seek out minerals that may be contained in it as wolves might do in the wild.

Scent: Dogs see much of the world through their noses, so if something in the dirt smells good, they may try to eat it.

Medical Issues: Medical conditions like gastrointestinal problems or parasites might lead a dog to eat dirt.

How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Dirt

1 - Take Your Dog to the Vet
The most important thing to do if your dog is eating dirt is to rule out a medical issue. If your dog’s dirt-eating is caused by a medical condition, early detection is essential to ensuring the best possible health outcomes.

2- Ensure Your Dog Is Eating a Balanced Diet
If your dog is otherwise healthy, the next step is to check your dog’s diet. You can also ask your vet for recommendations and advice to ensure that your dog is getting a balanced diet with all of the essential vitamins and minerals that will make them less inclined to eat dirt.

3- Increase Your Dogs Stimulation
If your dog is eating dirt out of boredom, then they may require more stimulation.

4- Distract Your Dog When They Start To Eat Dirt
Anytime your dog is starting to eat dirt, try distracting them or redirecting their attention. This could be with toys, a game with you, or commands.

5- Consider Consulting With a Professional Trainer

When in Doubt, Contact Your Vet

Copied from Canine Health Canada

09/22/2025

🚨 What would you do if your dog started choking *right now*?

Scrolling won’t save them — but your hands can.

👉 Learn hands-on in our 1-day canine first aid class.

📍 Bone and Biscuit- Aurora
🗓️ October 19, 2025
⏰ 9am-4pm
Limited spots

➡ Book now: essentialfirstaidplus@outlook.com

09/20/2025

In an emergency your dog looks to you. Will you be ready?
Contact us about our first aid courses.

Photo credit bark & whiskers

09/18/2025

Even a small amount of chives can pose a big risk to your pet’s life. If you’re growing or storing them at home, keep chives away from your pet’s curious paws and their food bowls. 🐾🥣 ❌

Copied from bark & whiskers

09/17/2025

Breeds at Higher Risk of Spinal Issues 🐕💢

Veterinarians note that large-breed dogs are more commonly affected by spinal problems, especially active breeds like Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Irish Wolfhounds. Smaller breeds, such as Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds, are also at risk. 🐶😥

If your dog suddenly shows any of the warning signs listed above, don’t wait it out. Early recognition and veterinary care give your pet the best chance at recovery and a better quality of life. ☑️

Credit to bark & whiskers

Our Canine Health Canada Canine Emergency First Aid covers spinal injuries and how to transport your dog with suspected spinal injury to the vet.

You can learn more about spinal injuries and more.

Join us at Bone & Biscuit - Aurora, Ontario October 19, 2025, 9am-4pm.

Contact us for details

09/16/2025

Mini travel first aid kits back in stock. They will be available at Kruze-a-palooza car show at Sharon Temple Sunday September 21.

09/15/2025

Today is National Pet Memorial Day. We’d love you to share your pets with us.

Below pictures are :

Northline Spring D-Lite March 5, 2001 - July 24, 2025

Foxy Lady July 10, 1986- April 17, 2019

Pippa May 11, 2000- September 17, 2015

Skeeter May 24, 2004- August 6, 2024

Address

Aurora Road
Aurora, ON
L4G1J1

Telephone

+19055052537

Website

http://www.essentialfirstaidplus.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Essential First Aid Plus posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Essential First Aid Plus:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Aurora?