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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the role of the veterinary technician in the care of emergency
patients, including: initial patient assessment, client communication on
phone and in person, application of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques,
monitoring of patient condition, and use of emergency equipment.
2. Describe the physiological mechanisms and effects of cardiovascular
shock and homeostatic imbalances, and discuss the rationale of current
treatment protocols.
3. Describe ways to recognize cardiopulmonary arrest and discuss
techniques for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
4. Describe proper techniques of insertion and maintenance of
intravenous catheters in dogs and cats, and correctly determine and
maintain intravenous fluid/blood administration.
5. Compare and contrast the pharmacological actions, indications, and
methods of administration of various common emergency medications.
6. Obtain an electrocardiogram, and recognize common critical cardiac
arrhythmias and their treatment.
7. Discuss the recognition and treatment of respiratory emergencies,
including administration of oxygen therapy and assisted ventilation,
and the maintenance of thoracic tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and nasal
catheters.
8. Identify the events and phases of normal wound healing, and discuss the
principles of wound therapy.
9. Describe the general principles and techniques of bandaging, casting,
and splinting.
10. List the indications for proper application of common bandages,
splints, and casts on dogs and cats.
11. Discuss the recognition and treatment of gastrointestinal emergencies
including: gastric dilatation/volvulus complex, acute gastroenteritis,
and obstruction.
12. Compare and contrast normal parturition patterns, dystocia, and
Caesarian section.
13. Discuss principles and techniques of nutritional management of
emergent animals.
14. Discuss the basics of symptomatic and specific toxicosis treatment.
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I. Course introduction
II. Role of the veterinary technician in the emergency setting
A. Nature of veterinary emergencies and common examples
B. Proper telephone interaction with owners of the emergent pet
C. In-clinic client interaction and empathy in the emergent situation
D. Recognition, use, and care of emergency equipment and supplies
E. Maintenance of medical records
III. Physical examination of the emergency patient
A. The art of triage: initial assessment, recognition of emergencies,
prioritization
B. Common problems requiring immediate treatment
C. A "Crash Plan"
D. Monitoring of patient condition before, during, and after
treatment
IV. Administration of medications and nutrition
A. SQ, IM, IV, IP (SQ=subcutaneous, IM=intramuscular, IV=intravenous,
IP=intraperitoneal), intratracheal, intraosseous
B. Orogastric and nasogastric intubation
C. Pharyngostomy and gastrotomy tubes
D. Proper care of indwelling catheters
V. Cardiovascular shock
A. Definition, clinical signs, recognition, patient assessment
B. Causes of and classification of shock
C. Physiological mechanisms and consequences of shock
D. Treatment techniques and stabilization
VI. Cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation
A. Principles and common techniques in animal CPR
B. Recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest
VII. ECG (electrocardiogram)
A. Principles and techniques of obtaining an E.C.G.
B. Recognition and common treatments of critical cardiac arrhythmias
VIII. Fluid therapy
A. Distribution/fluid compartments
B. Importance of electrolytes, osmolality, and acid-base balance
C. Use and administration of intravascular expansion products
D. Specific fluid therapy for electrolyte imbalances: causes and
consequences
E. Principles of corrective fluid therapy
1. Types, routes, and rates
2. Intravenous catheters
IX. Emergency medications
A. Theory of use
B. Dose ranges of common emergency medications
X. Respiratory emergencies
A. Clinical signs and recognition
B. Oxygen therapy and assisted ventilation
C. Treatment of specific respiratory emergencies
D. Thoracocentesis and chest drains
E. Care of tracheostomy tubes and chest tubes
XI. Wound healing--normal events and phases
A. Wound therapy, including lavage principles and techniques
B. Application and types of antiseptics and dressings
C. Ophthalmologic injury care and treatment
XII. Bandages, splints, and casts
A. General principles and indications for bandaging or splinting
B. Theory behind temporary stabilization of fracture
C. Types of bandages, slings, splints, and the indications for their
use
D. Techniques of application of bandages, slings, and splints
XIII. Metabolic/hematological emergencies
A. Recognition of common metabolic/hematological emergencies
B. Blood product therapy; principles, application and monitoring
XIV. Gastrointestinal emergencies and the technician's role
A. Clinical signs and recognition
B. Gastric dilatation/volvulus complex
C. Acute gastroenteritis/pancreatitis
D. Obstruction
XV. Toxicoses
A. General and specific treatments of common emergencies
B. Obtaining exposure history of pet to toxins
XVI. Dystocia
A. Normal parturition parameters in the dog and cat
B. Causes of and recognition of dystocia
C. Discussion of obstetrical manipulations and Caesarian section
XVII. Nutrition of the emergent animal
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Battaglia, Andrea. Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care for
Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier - Health Sciences Division, 2007.
Mammato, Bobbie. American Red Cross: Pet First Aid. Crane StayWell, 1999.
