Lesson 1IV/IO access: indications, catheter selection, placement technique, and emergency intraosseous accessExplains when to use IV and IO access for unstable patients, choosing catheters and needles, how to place them in dogs and cats, securing the lines, and fixing problems if attempts fail in the first vital 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 circulation in the early minutes, like pulse strength, colour of mouth membranes, time for blood to refill capillaries, heart rate, and quick ways to stop outside bleeding with pressure, wraps, and short-term ties.
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 legal and safety matters during sorting, including getting permission, noting old injuries, stopping infections, and ways to keep staff safe when dealing with hurt 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 exposure, focused second check, and spotting dangerous outside and inside injuries like deep cuts, open broken bones, and belly swelling, while keeping the animal warm and calm.
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 constraintsDescribes good team setup in the first minutes, setting roles for the vet, nurse, and helper, using clear talk, quick notes, and changing plans when there are few staff or small space.
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 calming in trauma, using opioid plans, extra drugs, dose amounts, ways to give them, and warnings or changes for low blood volume 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 a quick way to check brain function in trauma, with scoring like GCS for dogs and cats, looking at alertness, eyes, and short spine checks to find serious brain or back injuries.
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 targetsExplains a planned sorting method for trauma, with colour levels, time goals for checks and actions, and mixing ABCDE steps to quickly find and fix problems that can be reversed right away.
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 breathing checks, like rate and way, listening to chest, reading oxygen levels, and when to give extra oxygen, help breathing, or put in a tube urgently.
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/coolingFocuses on quick steadying steps, choosing oxygen ways, placing the patient, helping temperature, and simple actions 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 airway checks, spotting blocks or hurts, neck bone care, and picking oxygen methods, knowing when to skip neck moves 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
