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Emma Warren-Brown BSc (Hons), Cert. Ed.

This short course will teach you how to recognise the different types of collapse and unconsciousness, how to confidently administer CPR to a pet animal and to monitor the signs of shock. It is important to know when it is recommended to administer CPR. The reason an animal may require CPR is varied from heart disease to severe shock to impact trauma. Only a vet can diagnose so this will not teach you how to diagnose. Instead you will learn how to assess the patient, triage the symptoms and administer life-saving CPR. The technique shown and the information given is relevant to any mammalian species, so can be used on dogs, cats, rabbits and even rodents.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Know how to confidently and effectively administer cpr to a pet animal
  • Identify the signs of cardiac arrest in a pet animal
  • Understand the process to check for a pulse in a pet animal
  • Learn how to give rescue breaths and chest compressions to a pet animal

Syllabus

This course will teach you how to recognise the types of collapse and unconsciousness, show you how to administer CPR to a pet animal and highlight the important of shock
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Collapse and Unconsciousness

It is important to know when it is recommended to administer CPR. The reason an animal may require CPR is varied from heart disease to severe shock to impact trauma. Only a vet can diagnose so this will not teach you how to diagnose. Instead you will learn how to assess the patient, triage the symptoms and administer life-saving CPR. The technique shown and the information given is relevant to any mammalian species, so can be used on dogs, cats, rabbits and even rodents!

Learn what shock is, how to recognise the signs and understand the importance of it.

This multiple choice quiz will check your knowledge and understanding of collapse, unconsciousness, Pet CPR and shock

Managing a First Aid Scenario
Pet First Aid Kit

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to assess a patient, triage symptoms, and administer life-saving CPR, which are critical skills for immediate response in emergency situations
Provides techniques applicable to various mammalian species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and rodents, making it broadly useful for owners of different types of pets
Focuses on recognizing collapse and unconsciousness, administering CPR, and understanding shock, which are essential for managing a first aid scenario
Does not teach how to diagnose, which means learners should still seek professional veterinary care for their pets' health issues

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Pet CPR (Advanced) with these activities:
Review Basic Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Reinforce your understanding of basic animal anatomy and physiology to better understand the underlying reasons for CPR techniques and potential complications.
Show steps
  • Review diagrams of major organ systems in common pets.
  • Summarize the function of the circulatory and respiratory systems.
Review 'Pet First Aid: Cats & Dogs'
Supplement the course material with a comprehensive guide to pet first aid, reinforcing key concepts and providing additional practical information.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on CPR and respiratory distress.
  • Compare the book's techniques with those taught in the course.
CPR Practice on a Mannequin
Practice CPR techniques on a pet CPR mannequin to develop muscle memory and improve confidence in performing the procedure.
Show steps
  • Obtain a pet CPR mannequin or suitable substitute.
  • Practice chest compressions and rescue breaths.
  • Time yourself and aim for consistent technique.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Tutor a Friend or Family Member in Pet CPR
Reinforce your understanding of pet CPR by teaching the techniques to others, solidifying your knowledge and improving your communication skills.
Show steps
  • Prepare a short presentation on pet CPR.
  • Demonstrate the techniques on a mannequin or stuffed animal.
  • Answer questions and provide feedback.
Create a Pet CPR Quick Reference Guide
Synthesize course information into a concise guide for quick reference in emergency situations, reinforcing your understanding of the steps involved.
Show steps
  • Summarize the key steps of pet CPR.
  • Include diagrams or illustrations for clarity.
  • Format the guide for easy readability and portability.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter or Rescue
Gain practical experience handling animals and observing potential emergency situations, enhancing your ability to assess and respond effectively.
Show steps
  • Contact local animal shelters or rescues.
  • Offer to assist with animal care and observation.
  • Observe how staff handle emergency situations.
Read 'Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care'
Expand your knowledge of emergency veterinary care with a comprehensive textbook, providing a deeper understanding of the medical context surrounding CPR.
Show steps
  • Read relevant chapters on respiratory and cardiac emergencies.
  • Focus on the underlying causes and potential complications.

Career center

Learners who complete Pet CPR (Advanced) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Veterinary Technician
A veterinary technician provides crucial support to veterinarians, assisting in medical procedures and patient care. This course helps a veterinary technician to confidently administer CPR to a pet animal, recognize collapse and unconsciousness, and understand the importance of shock. The course content is relevant to many species, a crucial skill for a veterinary technician. Furthermore, the emphasis on assessing the patient and triaging symptoms helps build a practical skill set. The course's coverage of rescue breaths and chest compressions makes it highly valuable for any veterinary technician looking to improve their skills.
Veterinary Assistant
A veterinary assistant supports veterinarians and technicians in providing care for animals. This course provides the basic knowledge for a veterinary assistant to give effective CPR to a pet animal. The course will help a veterinary assistant to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, check a pulse, and deliver rescue breaths and chest compressions. The course also covers recognizing collapse and unconsciousness and understanding the importance of shock. This makes it a practical course for a veterinary assistant to take.
Animal Shelter Worker
An animal shelter worker cares for animals in a shelter environment, and may need to provide immediate care in an emergency. This course may be useful for an animal shelter worker as it helps them to recognize the signs of collapse and administer CPR to pets. The course's coverage of assessing an animal, triaging symptoms, and providing life-saving CPR is particularly helpful. Moreover, the information on recognizing shock helps an animal shelter worker address critical situations. This is an important course for anyone who works with animals in a shelter setting.
Animal Control Officer
An animal control officer often encounters situations requiring immediate intervention, including administering first aid to animals in distress. This course may be useful for an animal control officer as it covers recognizing different types of collapse and unconsciousness and how to confidently administer CPR to a pet. By understanding how to assess an animal, triage symptoms, and perform life-saving CPR, an animal control officer becomes better equipped to handle emergencies. The course's broad applicability to various mammals makes it useful to anyone in this role. The information on shock recognition will also prove beneficial in the field.
Zookeeper
A zookeeper cares for animals in a zoo environment, ensuring their well-being, and is sometimes the first responder in an emergency. This course may be helpful for a zookeeper as it provides information on recognizing different types of collapse and unconsciousness and how to administer CPR to a pet. Furthermore, the course does not restrict the techniques to dogs and cats, but covers other mammals as well. A zookeeper is better equipped to offer first aid to a mammal under their care by understanding patient assessment, triaging symptoms, and providing life-saving CPR. The course’s material helps them to address shocks as well.
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife rehabilitators care for injured or orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitats. This course may help a wildlife rehabilitator as it teaches how to recognize types of collapse and administer CPR. Given that the course covers CPR for a variety of mammalian species, a wildlife rehabilitator will be prepared to assist many different types of animals. The knowledge of the signs of shock and how to manage a first aid scenario are relevant to the hands-on care provided. This helps a wildlife rehabilitator provide critical care.
Pet Sitter
A pet sitter provides care for animals in the absence of their owners, and may encounter emergencies. For any pet sitter, understanding how to recognize the signs of collapse and unconsciousness is key. The course on administering CPR to a pet animal makes this course valuable for a pet sitter. Knowing how to assess a patient, triage symptoms, and deliver life-saving CPR is essential when caring for pets. The course also highlights the importance of shock recognition, and managing first aid scenarios. This course can help a pet sitter to handle emergencies confidently.
Dog Trainer
A dog trainer works with canines to help them develop skills and proper behavior. This course may be useful for a dog trainer as it provides information on how to recognize collapse and unconsciousness, and how to administer CPR to a pet animal. Should a dog in their care experience an emergency, a dog trainer will have the knowledge to assess the issue and provide life saving assistance. The course teaches how to triage symptoms and administer CPR and rescue breaths, all very relevant to a dog trainer. With an understanding of shock, a dog trainer can better oversee their training sessions.
Animal Cruelty Investigator
An animal cruelty investigator investigates cases of animal abuse and neglect, often encountering animals in need of immediate care. This course may be helpful for an animal cruelty investigator as it covers how to recognize collapse and unconsciousness. This course teaches how to confidently administer CPR to a pet animal, which is useful in emergency situations. The skills taught such as how to assess a patient, triage symptoms, and administer life-saving CPR are all relevant. Furthermore the course highlights the importance of shock recognition.
Search and Rescue Personnel
Search and rescue personnel often work in situations that may involve animals, and need to be prepared to aid them. This course may be helpful for search and rescue personnel as it provides instruction on how to recognize collapse and unconsciousness, and administer CPR to a pet. The course teaches the important techniques of assessing a patient, triaging symptoms, and administering life-saving CPR, which are valuable in emergency situations. The course's information on shock may also prove invaluable. The procedures in the course are applicable to many types of mammals.
Veterinary Surgeon
A veterinary surgeon performs surgical procedures on animals, and requires a deep understanding of emergency protocols. This course helps a veterinary surgeon to review the best practices of administering CPR to a pet animal, understanding signs of cardiac arrest and the process of checking for a pulse. The process of giving rescue breaths or chest compressions also is important for a veterinary surgeon to know. While the course does not cover diagnosis, the techniques shown and information given are relevant to any mammalian species that a veterinary surgeon might treat. This course can help refine their approach to life-saving procedures.
Animal Assisted Therapist
An animal assisted therapist uses animals to help patients in their therapeutic practices. This course may be helpful for an animal assisted therapist because they often work with animals and may need to respond to an emergency. This course teaches how to recognize collapse and unconsciousness, and the techniques to give CPR to a pet animal. The course also covers the skills to assess a patient and triage symptoms, and administer life-saving CPR. The course material on shock is also appropriate for practice.
Emergency Medical Technician
An emergency medical technician provides medical assistance to people in need and is trained in life-saving techniques. This course may help an emergency medical technician since the course aims to teach how to recognize the types of collapse and unconsciousness and learn how to administer CPR to an animal. Although an emergency medical technician will be treating humans, the basics of patient assessment, triaging symptoms, and administering life-saving CPR are useful. These techniques will also help an EMT be more effective when first aid is needed for an animal.
Biology Teacher
A biology teacher educates students on living organisms and may teach animal anatomy or physiology. This course may be useful for a biology teacher as it increases their practical knowledge about animal health. The course teaches how to recognize collapse and unconsciousness and administer CPR to a pet animal. This can serve as a real-world example when teaching about life support interventions. The information on shock can also be beneficial for a biology teacher. The class can also help a biology teacher respond effectively in the event of an emergency during a lab or field activity.
Researcher
A researcher conducts studies on a variety of topics and can be based in a research lab or in the field. This course may be helpful for a researcher as it provides an understanding of pet CPR. If they use animals in their research, this researcher will know how to recognize animal collapse and unconsciousness, and administer CPR to a pet animal. Furthermore, the course reviews how to assess a patient, triage symptoms, and administer life-saving CPR. The course’s content about shock is also applicable to a researcher working with animals.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Pet CPR (Advanced).
Provides a comprehensive overview of pet first aid, including CPR techniques. It serves as a valuable reference guide during the course and beyond. It offers detailed instructions and illustrations to supplement the course material. This book is commonly used by pet owners and veterinary professionals.
Comprehensive resource for veterinary professionals on emergency and critical care. It provides in-depth information on various medical conditions and treatments. While it is more advanced than the course material, it can be a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of emergency veterinary medicine. It is commonly used as a reference text in veterinary schools.

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