Lesson 1IV/IO access: indications, catheter selection, placement technique, and emergency intraosseous accessExplains reasons for IV and IO access in shaky patients, choosing catheters and needles, fitting them in dogs and cats, fixing lines, and fixing problems in failed tries during the vital first minutes of revival.
Indications for emergent IV versus IO accessChoosing catheter size, type, and siteCephalic, saphenous, and jugular IV placementIntraosseous sites and landmark identificationIO needle placement and confirmationSecuring, labeling, and monitoring access linesLesson 2Circulation assessment: pulse quality, mucous membranes, capillary refill time, rapid hemorrhage control techniquesCovers checking blood flow in early minutes, like pulse strength, mouth lining colour, refill time, heart beat, and quick outside bleeding stop with pressure, wraps, and short tourniquets.
Central versus peripheral pulse evaluationMucous membranes and CRT interpretationHeart rate, rhythm, and perfusion indicesRecognizing signs of hypovolemic shockDirect pressure and pressure bandage useImprovised tourniquets and hemostatic agentsLesson 3Legal and safety issues at triage: handling an anxious owner, infection control, and clinician safety during a struggling patientLooks at law and safety at sorting, covering agreement, noting old hurts, germ stop steps, and ways to guard workers when dealing with sore or wild trauma animals and upset owners.
Obtaining rapid consent and discussing costsDocumenting injuries and preexisting lesionsManaging anxious or aggressive ownersMuzzle use and low‑stress handlingBite, scratch, and zoonosis precautionsIsolation and disinfection in trauma casesLesson 4Exposure and rapid secondary survey: identifying life‑threatening wounds, open fractures, abdominal distensionDeals with quick uncover, aimed second check, and spotting deadly outside and inside harms, like piercing cuts, open breaks, and belly swell, while cutting cold and animal worry.
Safe exposure while preventing hypothermiaHead, neck, and spine visual inspectionThoracic wall, axillae, and flank assessmentAbdominal contour and distension evaluationLimb inspection for open or unstable fracturesPerineal, genital, and rectal quick checkLesson 5Rapid documentation and team roles: delegating tasks to nurse and assistant under staffing constraintsSets out good team setup in first minutes, naming parts for vet, nurse, helper, using tight talk loops, quick notes, and fitting work when staff or room is short.
Assigning leader, airway, and circulation rolesTask lists for technician and assistantEssential triage documentation elementsUse of triage forms and whiteboardsClosed‑loop and concise communicationAdapting roles under minimal staffingLesson 6Initial analgesia and sedation choices: drugs, doses, contraindications in hypovolemiaTalks about early pain relief and calm in trauma, with opioid plans, extra meds, dose levels, ways in, and no-go or dose changes in low blood or head-hurt patients.
Pain scoring during the primary surveyOpioid choices, doses, and titrationSedation options for imaging and proceduresDrug adjustments in hypovolemic shockConsiderations in head or spinal injuryMonitoring for respiratory depressionLesson 7Disability and neurologic status: GCS-like scoring for dogs, pupil evaluation, brief neuro examGives aimed way to brain check in trauma, with GCS-style marks for dogs and cats, mind state, eye pupils, and short spine reflexes to find deadly brain or back harm.
Rapid assessment of mentation levelsPupil size, symmetry, and light responseLimb movement and postural reactionsPain perception and spinal reflex checksModified GCS scoring in dogs and catsWhen to suspect raised intracranial pressureLesson 8Systematic triage priorities: rapid assessment framework and time targetsShows built sorting plan for trauma, with colour-coded levels, time aims for checks and acts, and mixing ABCDE to quick spot and fix easy-turn problems.
Triage categories and color codingPrimary survey sequence and ABCDE logicTime goals for first contact and vitalsRed flag findings demanding instant actionUse of triage flowcharts and checklistsRe‑triage frequency and escalation triggersLesson 9Breathing assessment: respiratory rate/patterns, chest auscultation, pulse oximetry interpretation, and when to intubateCovers quick breath check, rate and way, chest listen, oxygen meter read, and rules for extra oxygen, help breath, or urgent tube in throat.
Counting rate and character of respirationsRecognizing obstructive versus restrictive patternsThoracic auscultation and percussion pointsUsing pulse oximetry and its limitationsSigns of impending respiratory failureWhen and how to prepare for intubationLesson 10Immediate stabilization interventions: oxygen route selection (flow-by, face mask, nasal cannula, intubation), positioning, warming/coolingPoints on quick steady moves, oxygen way pick, animal place, temp help, and easy acts in minutes to better blood flow and ease.
Choosing oxygen route and flow ratesPositioning for dyspnea or spinal injuryActive and passive warming strategiesControlled cooling for hyperthermiaMinimal handling and stress reductionEarly monitoring of temperature and comfortLesson 11Airway evaluation: recognition of compromise, cervical spine precautions, and oxygen delivery optionsLooks at quick air path check, block or harm spot, neck bone care, and oxygen give picks, when to skip neck move and when to tube.
Recognizing partial versus complete obstructionOral and pharyngeal cavity inspectionAirway trauma and laryngeal dysfunction signsMaintaining in‑line cervical stabilizationNoninvasive oxygen delivery optionsIndications for rapid sequence intubation
