Lesson 1IV/IO access: indications, catheter selection, placement technique, and emergency intraosseous accessDetails indications for IV and IO access in unstable patients, catheter and needle selection, placement techniques in dogs and cats, securing lines, and troubleshooting failed attempts during the critical first minutes of resuscitation.
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, labelling, and monitoring access linesLesson 2Circulation assessment: pulse quality, mucous membranes, capillary refill time, rapid haemorrhage control techniquesDetails circulation assessment in the first minutes, including pulse quality, mucous membrane colour, capillary refill time, heart rate, and rapid external haemorrhage control using pressure, bandages, and temporary tourniquets.
Central versus peripheral pulse evaluationMucous membranes and CRT interpretationHeart rate, rhythm, and perfusion indicesRecognising signs of hypovolaemic shockDirect pressure and pressure bandage useImprovised tourniquets and haemostatic agentsLesson 3Legal and safety issues at triage: handling an anxious owner, infection control, and clinician safety during a struggling patientReviews legal and safety considerations at triage, including consent, documentation of pre-existing injuries, infection control measures, and strategies to protect staff when handling painful or fractious trauma patients and distressed 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 distensionCovers rapid exposure, focused secondary survey, and recognition of life-threatening external and internal injuries, including penetrating wounds, open fractures, and abdominal distension, while minimising hypothermia and patient stress.
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 efficient team organisation in the first minutes, including defining roles for veterinarian, nurse, and assistant, using closed-loop communication, rapid documentation, and adapting workflows when staffing or space is limited.
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 hypovolaemiaDiscusses early analgesia and sedation in trauma, including opioid-based protocols, adjunct drugs, dose ranges, routes, and specific contraindications or dose adjustments in hypovolaemic or head-injured patients.
Pain scoring during the primary surveyOpioid choices, doses, and titrationSedation options for imaging and proceduresDrug adjustments in hypovolaemic shockConsiderations in head or spinal injuryMonitoring for respiratory depressionLesson 7Disability and neurologic status: GCS-like scoring for dogs, pupil evaluation, brief neuro examProvides a focused approach to neurologic assessment in trauma, including GCS-like scoring adapted for dogs and cats, evaluation of mentation, pupils, and brief spinal reflexes to detect life-threatening brain or spinal injury.
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 structured triage algorithm for trauma, including colour-coded priority levels, time targets for assessment and interventions, and integration of ABCDE checks to rapidly identify and treat immediately reversible problems.
Triage categories and colour 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 rapid breathing assessment, including respiratory rate and pattern, thoracic auscultation, pulse oximetry interpretation, and criteria for oxygen supplementation, assisted ventilation, or emergency endotracheal intubation.
Counting rate and character of respirationsRecognising obstructive versus restrictive patternsThoracic auscultation and percussion pointsUsing pulse oximetry and its limitationsSigns of impending respiratory failureWhen and how to prepare for intubationLesson 10Immediate stabilisation interventions: oxygen route selection (flow-by, face mask, nasal cannula, intubation), positioning, warming/coolingFocuses on immediate stabilisation manoeuvres, including oxygen route selection, patient positioning, temperature support, and simple interventions that can be performed within minutes to improve perfusion and comfort.
Choosing oxygen route and flow ratesPositioning for dyspnoea 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 optionsExplores rapid airway evaluation, recognition of obstruction or trauma, cervical spine precautions, and selection of oxygen delivery methods, including when to avoid neck manipulation and when to proceed to intubation.
Recognising partial versus complete obstructionOral and pharyngeal cavity inspectionAirway trauma and laryngeal dysfunction signsMaintaining in-line cervical stabilisationNoninvasive oxygen delivery optionsIndications for rapid sequence intubation
