Basic First Aid for Animals and Pets

Learn immediate first aid for use in common animal emergencies

In emergency situations, it can be difficult to take action and know how to care for an injured or sick animal.

On this course, you’ll be introduced to the basics of first aid for different animals and pets prior to veterinary treatment. Whilst this course does not constitute any formal training, it will equip you with the awareness of initial emergency animal care and first aid.

Explore how to assess the situation when a pet is hurt or unwell

As with basic human first aid, it’s important to take stock of the situation before deciding any course of action.

You’ll be guided through every step of initial assessment, from judging responsiveness and breathing to checking vital signs including temperature and heart rate. You’ll gain species specific knowledge about common pets including cats, dogs, horses, and rabbits, as you progress, helping to broaden your understanding of different animals’ needs.

Discover how to properly handle sick and injured animals

Injured animals can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

With tips and strategies for handling pets of all sizes and species, you’ll learn how to approach an unwell animal with care and caution, protecting you and the animal from further harm and allowing you to develop an initial response plan.

Examine the correct initial responses in a pet emergency

Covering wounds, seizures, toxicity, choking, musculoskeletal injuries, and more, you’ll gain insights into the correct approach in a wide range of emergencies. You’ll be guided through the steps taken in many scenarios once the animal receives professional treatment, helping you understand the complete cycle of care.

By the end of this course, you’ll have gained a basic overview of basic animal first aid as an initial response before veterinary assessment.

This course is designed for owners of domestic pets who want to feel better equipped to support their animals in the case of an emergency, before veterinary support is sought.

• DR ABC, vital signs and planning
• Introduction to the course
• Assessing the situation
• Vital signs
• Planning, injuries and shock
• Wrap up
• Wounds and other injuries
• Introduction to Week 2
• Wounds
• First Aid 1: Toxicity, seizures and choking
• First Aid 2: Temperature, bites, stings and injuries
• Wrap up