Lesson 1IV/IO access: indications, catheter selection, placement technique, and emergency intraosseous accessExplains when to use IV and IO access for unstable animals, choosing catheters and needles, how to place them in dogs and cats, securing them, and fixing problems during the first critical minutes of saving lives.
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 the first minutes, looking at pulse strength, gum colour, how fast capillaries refill, heart rate, and quick ways to stop outside bleeding using pressure, bandages, and temporary 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 consent, noting old injuries, preventing infections, and ways to keep staff safe when dealing with painful 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 swollen bellies, 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 constraintsOutlines good team setup in the first minutes, defining jobs for the vet, nurse, and helper, using clear talk-back communication, quick records, and adjusting plans when there are few staff or small spaces.
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 animals with low blood volume or head injuries.
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 focused way to check nerves in trauma, using a dog and cat adapted coma score, looking at alertness, eyes, and quick spine reflexes to find serious brain or spine damage.
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-coded levels, time goals for checks and actions, and combining ABCDE steps to quickly find and fix urgent 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 breathing checks, including rate and way of breathing, listening to the 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 animal right, helping with temperature, and simple actions done in minutes to better blood flow and comfort.
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 damage, neck bone care, and picking oxygen methods, knowing when to avoid neck moves and when to tube the animal.
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
