Lesson 1Urgent care and stabilisation: protocols for thin/respiratory animals, fluid therapy basics, wound care, pain assessment and analgesia indicationsCovers swift evaluation of thin or respiratory-compromised animals, safe oxygen support, fluid therapy fundamentals, wound cleaning and bandaging, and systematic pain assessment to direct timely, suitable analgesia under veterinary oversight.
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)Offers a structured intake exam checklist for dogs, cats, and small mammals, including vital signs, hydration status, body condition, and essential system checks, enabling agents to spot irregularities and refer urgently to veterinary personnel.
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 findingsEmphasises producing thorough, readable medical records at intake, assigning and confirming unique IDs, microchipping, temporary ID banding, and snapping photos of animals and clinical findings to aid identification, care, and legal requirements.
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 inspectionDetails parasite control measures at intake, such as faecal screening, age- and species-specific deworming, flea and tick prevention, and meticulous ectoparasite checks, while logging 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 adoptersSets out medical clearance standards for adoption, covering illness resolution or management, completion of essential treatments, spay or neuter scheduling, and conveying ongoing medical requirements and follow-up duties 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 documentationOutlines core intake vaccines for dogs and cats, suggested timing by age and health, distinctions between modified live and killed vaccines, spotting vaccine reactions, and precise record-keeping for legal and medical purposes.
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 planningExplains triaging owner-surrendered animals with chronic conditions, confirming current prescriptions, reconciling medication lists, and planning care continuity with vets to ensure safety, compliance, 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 setting up and adhering to isolation, quarantine, and cohorting strategies, including movement flow, enclosure placement, PPE usage, and cleaning between groups, to curb disease transmission while upholding 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 prevalent infectious risks at intake, like FeLV, FIV, parvovirus, distemper, and respiratory bugs, and clarifies testing timing, sample collection methods, result interpretation, and documentation.
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
