Lesson 1Urgent care and stabilization: protocols for thin/respiratory animals, fluid therapy basics, wound care, pain assessment and analgesia indicationsCovers rapid assessment of thin or respiratory‑compromised animals, safe oxygen support, fluid therapy basics, wound cleaning and bandaging, and structured pain assessment to guide timely, appropriate analgesia under veterinary direction.
Primary survey and triage categories at intakeRecognizing respiratory distress and cyanosisSafe oxygen delivery and positioning techniquesFluid therapy indications and monitoring basicsWound cleaning, bandaging, and pain scoringLesson 2Initial physical exam checklist for dogs, cats, and small mammals (temperature, hydration, body condition, respiratory/GI signs)Provides a structured intake exam checklist for dogs, cats, and small mammals, covering vital signs, hydration, body condition, and key system checks, so agents can recognize abnormalities and escalate promptly to veterinary staff.
Safe handling for dogs, cats, small mammalsMeasuring temperature, pulse, and respirationAssessing hydration and body condition scoreScreening for respiratory and GI abnormalitiesDocumenting exam findings and concernsLesson 3Medical recordkeeping and ID: microchipping, temporary ID banding, intake forms, photographing and documenting clinical findingsFocuses on creating complete, legible medical records at intake, assigning and verifying unique IDs, microchipping, temporary ID banding, and photographing animals and clinical findings to support identification, care, and legal needs.
Standardized intake medical history formsAssigning shelter IDs and collar bandingMicrochip scanning and new chip placementPhotographing animals and key lesionsStoring and backing up digital recordsLesson 4Parasite control at intake: deworming regimens by age and species, flea/tick treatment, ectoparasite inspectionOutlines parasite control steps at intake, including fecal screening, age‑ and species‑appropriate deworming, flea and tick prevention, and careful ectoparasite inspection, while tracking treatments and adverse reactions in records.
Common internal and external parasites seenFecal sample collection and test optionsAge and species based deworming protocolsFlea and tick product selection and safetyRecording treatments and follow‑up dosesLesson 5Criteria for medical clearance for adoption: treatment milestones, neuter timing, follow-up medical commitments for adoptersDefines medical clearance criteria for adoption, including resolution or control of illness, completion of core treatments, timing of spay or neuter, and how to communicate ongoing medical needs and follow‑up commitments to adopters.
Minimum health standards for adoptionTracking treatment milestones and outcomesDetermining safe spay or neuter timingCommunicating chronic care needs to adoptersPost‑adoption medical follow‑up planningLesson 6Vaccination protocols at intake: core vaccines, timing, modified live vs killed, vaccine reactions and documentationExplains core intake vaccines for dogs and cats, recommended timing by age and health status, differences between modified live and killed products, recognition of vaccine reactions, and accurate documentation for legal and medical tracking.
Core vaccines for dogs and cats at intakeTiming by age, pregnancy, and health statusModified live versus killed vaccine selectionRecognizing and responding to vaccine reactionsRecording vaccines and lot numbers in recordsLesson 7Medication management for chronic cases (e.g., heart meds): owner surrender triage, medication reconciliation, continuity of care planningDetails how to triage owner‑surrendered animals with chronic disease, verify existing prescriptions, reconcile medication lists, and coordinate continuity of care plans with veterinarians to maintain safety, adherence, and clear follow‑up.
Interviewing owners about chronic conditionsCollecting and verifying prior prescriptionsMedication reconciliation and interaction checksCoordinating refills and dosing schedulesFlagging special monitoring needs in recordsLesson 8Isolation, quarantine, and cohorting: facility flow, length of isolation, PPE and sanitation between cohortsDescribes how to design and follow isolation, quarantine, and cohorting plans, including traffic flow, cage placement, PPE use, and sanitation between groups, to limit disease spread while maintaining humane care and staff safety.
Designing clean and dirty traffic flow pathsCriteria for isolation versus quarantine useCohorting by species, age, and risk factorsPPE selection, donning, and doffing stepsCleaning and disinfection between cohortsLesson 9Infectious disease screening at intake: core pathogens, when to test (FeLV/FIV, parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, respiratory panels)Introduces common infectious threats at intake, including FeLV, FIV, parvovirus, distemper, and respiratory pathogens, and explains when and whom to test, how to collect samples correctly, and how to interpret and record results.
Core canine and feline infectious risksFeLV and FIV testing indications and timingParvovirus and distemper test selectionRespiratory panels and kennel cough testingRecording and communicating test results
