Pet First Aid Course

Lesson 1 • Personal Safety and Scene Assessment

Teaches responders to evaluate hazards before touching an animal. Safe scene management protects both the responder and the pet.

Lesson 2 • Role and Scope of Pet First Aid

Defines what pet first aid is versus veterinary treatment. Establishes the responder's legal and ethical boundaries before any hands-on skill is introduced.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Animal Behaviour and Stress

Covers how pain and fear alter animal behaviour. Prepares responders to approach injured pets safely without escalating aggression or panic.

Lesson 4 • Building a Pet First Aid Kit

Identifies essential supplies and their correct uses. A well-stocked, organised kit enables faster, more effective emergency response.

Lesson 1 • Secondary Survey: Head-to-Tail Examination

Guides a systematic physical inspection after life threats are controlled. Identifies hidden injuries that could worsen without treatment.

Lesson 2 • Recording and Communicating Findings

Structures how to document observations and relay them to veterinary staff. Accurate handoff information improves clinical outcomes after transport.

Lesson 3 • Primary Survey: Life-Threatening Priorities

Applies a structured ABC approach to identify immediate threats to life. This rapid check determines the order of all subsequent interventions.

Lesson 4 • Recognising Signs of Shock

Identifies clinical indicators of circulatory shock across species. Early recognition allows responders to initiate supportive care before collapse occurs.

Lesson 1 • Choking Response Techniques

Covers back blows and abdominal thrusts sized for dogs and cats. Prompt application dislodges foreign bodies before hypoxia causes brain damage.

Lesson 2 • Rescue Breathing Technique

Demonstrates mouth-to-snout ventilation with correct seal, rate, and volume. Proper technique delivers adequate oxygen without causing lung injury.

Lesson 3 • Opening and Clearing the Airway

Teaches head-tilt, chin-lift, and finger-sweep techniques adapted for animals. Correct execution restores airflow without causing additional injury.

Lesson 4 • Airway Anatomy and Obstruction Causes

Reviews upper airway structures and common causes of blockage in pets. Understanding anatomy guides correct technique selection for each obstruction type.

Lesson 1 • Chest Compression Fundamentals

Teaches hand placement, compression depth, and rate for different body sizes. Correct mechanics generate adequate cardiac output during arrest.

Lesson 2 • Recognising Cardiac Arrest

Identifies the clinical signs that confirm cardiac arrest and trigger CPR. Rapid recognition within seconds is critical to survival outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Compressions and Ventilation

Coordinates compression-to-breath ratios for one and two rescuers. Seamless integration maintains perfusion and oxygenation simultaneously.

Lesson 4 • CPR for Small Dogs and Cats

Adapts compression technique for animals under ten pounds. Scaled force and positioning prevent rib fractures while maintaining effective output.

Lesson 1 • Tourniquets and Pressure Points

Explains when and how to apply a tourniquet as a last resort for limb haemorrhage. Pressure point knowledge provides an intermediate option before tourniquet use.

Lesson 2 • Classifying Wounds and Bleeding

Distinguishes wound types and bleeding severity to guide treatment priority. Correct classification prevents under- or over-treatment of injuries.

Lesson 3 • Bandaging Techniques for Pets

Covers primary, secondary, and tertiary bandage layers for common wound sites. Proper bandaging protects wounds and prevents swelling or circulation loss.

Lesson 4 • Direct Pressure and Haemostasis

Teaches correct application of direct pressure to control active bleeding. Sustained, properly placed pressure is the most effective first-line haemorrhage control.

Lesson 1 • Splinting and Immobilisation Techniques

Demonstrates improvised and commercial splint application for limb injuries. Immobilisation reduces pain, prevents further displacement, and protects soft tissue.

Lesson 2 • Spinal Injury Precautions

Covers indicators of spinal trauma and safe handling protocols. Improper movement of a spinal injury can convert partial paralysis to permanent disability.

Lesson 3 • Identifying Fractures and Dislocations

Teaches clinical signs that distinguish fractures from soft tissue injuries. Accurate identification prevents movement that worsens displacement or vascular damage.

Lesson 4 • Seizure Recognition and Management

Identifies seizure phases and safe bystander response during and after an episode. Correct management prevents injury and provides critical history for the veterinarian.

Lesson 1 • Heatstroke Recognition and Cooling

Covers the rapid progression of heatstroke and evidence-based cooling methods. Overcooling is as dangerous as the condition itself and must be avoided.

Lesson 2 • Decontamination and Supportive Care

Covers skin and eye decontamination and when to induce vomiting safely. Supportive care stabilises the patient during transport to veterinary care.

Lesson 3 • Common Household and Plant Toxins

Identifies frequently encountered toxins and their species-specific effects. Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing correct decontamination steps.

Lesson 4 • Hypothermia and Frostbite Management

Identifies stages of hypothermia and safe rewarming strategies for pets. Frostbite assessment and handling prevent tissue loss during recovery.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Casualty and Disaster Triage

Introduces triage principles for prioritising multiple injured animals. Systematic sorting maximises the number of animals that receive timely care.

Lesson 2 • Feline-Specific Emergency Conditions

Covers urinary obstruction, high-rise syndrome, and stress-induced collapse in cats. Feline physiology requires modified assessment and handling throughout.

Lesson 3 • Simulated Emergency Scenario Practice

Integrates all course skills in timed, realistic simulations with feedback. Deliberate practice under simulated stress consolidates competency and reveals skill gaps.

Lesson 4 • Small Mammal and Exotic Pet Emergencies

Adapts assessment and treatment principles for rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. Fragile physiology and rapid deterioration demand faster, gentler intervention.