Sort Fast. Think Clearly. Stay Organised.

Learn to triage in under two minutes, identify life-threatening conditions, and communicate confidently with owners.

- Phone and front desk triage
- Vital signs and primary survey
- Triage scoring systems
- Managing multiple emergencies at once

This module will teach you how to assess patients quickly and accurately both over the phone and in the clinic. You will finish with a system for triaging efficiently, managing multiple emergencies at once and taking control of the room even when it feels chaotic.

Lesson 1: Introduction and Phone Triage
Set the stage for effective emergency care starting from the very first call. Learn how to guide worried owners, identify true emergencies early, and use focused questions to gather the details you need before the patient ever walks through the door.

Lesson 2: Triage Examples
See theory in action with real-world examples of common presentations. From trauma to toxin ingestion, these scenarios help you recognise red flags, prioritise cases, and practise your clinical reasoning skills.

Lesson 3: Triage Exam
Master the essentials of a fast, structured triage exam. This sub-module covers each step of the primary and secondary survey so you can spot life-threatening problems quickly and respond with purpose.

Lesson 4: Cardiovascular Triage
Learn how to assess the cardiovascular system in a crisis. You will review pulse quality, heart rate, mucous membranes, and other critical findings that guide your next steps in stabilising a patient.

Lesson 5: Respiratory Triage
Recognise respiratory distress before it escalates. This section teaches you how to evaluate breathing patterns, detect cyanosis, and decide when oxygen therapy or urgent intervention is needed.

Lesson 6: Neurologic Triage
Sharpen your approach to neurologic assessment under pressure. You will learn how mentation, posture, and reflexes can help you identify underlying emergencies and prioritise care.

Lesson 7: Urologic Triage
Understand how to detect and manage urologic emergencies. This lesson highlights key signs of urinary obstruction and teaches you how to differentiate stable from unstable cases.

Lesson 8: Goal of Triage
Bring it all together with a clear focus on what triage is meant to achieve. Learn how rapid assessment, teamwork, and clear communication can improve outcomes for even the most critical patients.

Lesson 9: Cases
Apply what you have learned in interactive case discussions. These examples reinforce decision-making, help you practise prioritising, and show how to move from assessment to action with confidence.

Recognise Quickly. Intervene Early. Save Lives.

Understand the four types of shock, how they present, and what to do when every second matters.

- Types of shock: hypovolaemic, distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive
- Clinical signs and subtle indicators
- Prioritising patient needs and managing client communication

By the end of this module you will be able to confidently identify the different types of shock, understand their pathophysiology and know exactly how to start treating them fast. You will learn how to spot subtle signs, prioritise stabilisation and communicate clearly with owners even when the diagnosis is still evolving.

Lesson 1: Shock
Learn what shock really means on a cellular level and why early recognition saves lives. This sub-module explains the physiology of poor perfusion, oxygen delivery, and energy failure in simple, practical terms.

Lesson 2: Patient #1
Dive into distributive shock through a focused case study. Understand the key signs of vasodilation and how to differentiate this from other shock types during a crisis.

Lesson 3: Patient #2
Explore cardiogenic shock step by step. This sub-module highlights how heart failure can lead to poor perfusion and why these patients need a different treatment approach.

Lesson 4: Patient #3
Review obstructive shock in this clear, case-based discussion. Learn how conditions like GDV or pericardial effusion block circulation and what to do first.

Lesson 5: Patient #4
Practice sorting stable from unstable patients. This case reinforces the importance of trends, reassessment, and staying alert to subtle changes.

Lesson 6: Stages of Shock
Understand the progression from early compensation to decompensation and irreversible damage. Recognise what stage your patient is in so you can respond effectively.

Lesson 7: Clinical Signs
Get confident identifying the outward signs of shock. From mucous membrane colour to pulse quality, this sub-module teaches you exactly what to look for.

Lesson 8: Client Communication
Learn how to explain shock to worried owners clearly and compassionately. You will pick up tips for discussing prognosis, costs, and urgency in a way that builds trust.

Lesson 9: Prognosis
Explore what factors influence survival and recovery. This section helps you set realistic expectations and make informed recommendations.

Lesson 10: Most Common Questions
Get answers to the questions vets hear most often about shock. Quick, practical guidance to help you feel prepared in any conversation.

Use What You Have. Stabilise What You Can.

Master the tests and treatments that can be done immediately even before full workups.

- How to use PCV/TS, glucose, lactate, blood smear and acid-base analysis
- POCUS: when and how to use it
- Initial oxygen therapy, pain control and triage-based decision making
- Early stabilisation tips for the unstable patient

You will learn how to use the tools you already have like PCV/ TP, lactate, blood smear and POCUS to get rapid meaningful answers. By the end of this module you will know how to stabilise patients even before full workups are available.

Lesson 1: Point of Care Diagnostics
Learn how to quickly gather the most important data when minutes count. This sub-module introduces the essential tools and techniques for bedside testing in emergency cases.

Lesson 2: NOVA / ISTAT Evaluation
Understand how to interpret NOVA and ISTAT results confidently. You will cover acid-base balance, electrolytes, and critical parameters that guide immediate treatment decisions.

Lesson 3: Sodium
Explore how to detect and manage sodium imbalances in emergency patients. This section explains the causes, risks, and correction strategies step by step.

Lesson 4: Potassium
Get clear on why potassium levels matter in critical care. Learn how to recognise hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia and act quickly to protect your patient’s heart.

Lesson 5: Calcium
Review the role of calcium in stabilising your patients. This sub-module shows you how to spot abnormalities, interpret their impact, and plan appropriate interventions.

Lesson 6: Magnesium
Understand the importance of magnesium in emergencies. Learn when to test, how to supplement, and why this overlooked electrolyte can make a big difference.

Lesson 7: POCUS – Point of Care Ultrasound
Build your confidence in using ultrasound at the bedside. This session walks you through techniques for detecting effusions, evaluating the heart, and guiding procedures safely.

Lesson 8: Beyond Trauma
Explore the many ways point of care ultrasound helps beyond trauma cases. You will learn how to apply this skill in medical emergencies, shock, and complex presentations.

Lesson 9: Organ Identification and Echotexture
Develop your eye for ultrasound anatomy. This sub-module covers recognising organs, assessing their structure, and detecting abnormalities efficiently.

Lesson 10: Stabilisation
Bring diagnostics and action together. Learn a clear, stepwise approach to stabilising critical patients based on your findings, so you can intervene quickly and confidently.

Fluids Save Lives. Learn to Use Them Wisely.

Not all fluids are created equal. This module gives you the confidence to choose the right fluid, at the right rate, for the right patient.

- Types of fluids and when to use them
- Understanding crystalloids vs colloids
- Calculating doses and rates
- Troubleshooting adverse responses

By the end of this module you will feel confident selecting, calculating and administering fluid therapy in emergency patients. You will understand the differences between fluid types, how to adjust plans for different shock states and how to spot when things are going wrong.

Lesson 1: The Basics of Fluid Therapy
Get grounded in the core principles of fluid therapy. You will learn why fluids are used, how they move through the body, and what goals you are working to achieve in each patient.

Lesson 2: Assessment of Hydration
Master the art of evaluating hydration status. This sub-module teaches you which physical exam findings matter most and how to interpret them accurately under pressure.

Lesson 3: Fluid Types
Understand the options in your fluid bag. Explore the differences between crystalloids, colloids, hypertonics, and maintenance solutions so you can choose confidently.

Lesson 4: Adverse Effects
Learn how to recognise and prevent complications from fluid therapy. You will cover overload, electrolyte shifts, and other risks to watch for in your patients.

Lesson 5: Route of Fluid Administration
Review the pros and cons of each delivery route. From intravenous to intraosseous to subcutaneous, you will see when and how to use each method effectively.

Lesson 6: Fluid Therapy Plan
Build stepwise plans tailored to each patient’s needs. This section guides you through calculating rates, setting goals, and adjusting therapy over time.

Lesson 7: Discontinuing Fluid Therapy
Know when and how to taper fluids safely. Learn how to monitor your patient and transition from active therapy back to maintenance or oral hydration.

Lesson 8: Case #1
Work through a real-life scenario to apply your knowledge. This case reinforces how to assess, plan, and monitor fluid therapy step by step.

Lesson 9: Case #2
Practice managing fluids in a patient with complex needs. You will build confidence in adapting plans as clinical status evolves.

Lesson 10: Case #3
Challenge yourself with a case involving special considerations. This example helps you fine-tune your decision-making and recognise subtle red flags.

Bring It All Together. Make Confident Decisions.

In this final module, you will apply everything you have learnt to case-based scenarios, building complete plans from presentation through to discharge.

- Build emergency plans for different patients
- Make confident fluid, drug and diagnostic choices
- Learn what to do when things go wrong

This module pulls everything together with realistic emergency cases you will work through step by step. You will practise making time critical decisions adjusting treatment plans on the fly and thinking like a clinician who leads with clarity even when the pressure is high.

Lesson 1: Case #1
Follow a step-by-step approach to an emergency presentation from triage through treatment. This case helps you practise recognising priorities and making quick, informed decisions.

Lesson 2: Case #2
Explore a complex case with multiple competing problems. You will learn how to organise your assessment, choose diagnostics, and set clear treatment goals.

Lesson 3: Case #3
Test your skills in a scenario involving critical electrolyte and perfusion issues. This example highlights how small details can impact your plan and outcome.

Lesson 4: Case #4
Work through a neurologic emergency and review stabilisation strategies. Learn how to balance supportive care, monitoring, and communication with owners.

Lesson 5: Case #5
Manage a patient with both trauma and metabolic challenges. This case reinforces the importance of reassessment and adapting your approach as new information comes in.

Lesson 6: Case #6
Apply everything you have learned in this final case study. You will practise building a treatment plan, anticipating complications, and coordinating care from start to finish.

Online MCQ Exam

The exam - written by Dr Becca Walton and based directly on the course content - can be accessed any time after you complete the course materials. You’ll have two attempts to take the test, with each attempt limited to two hours. Your result will appear instantly. Score at least 70%, and you’ll receive your personalised certificate signed by Dr Becca.