ASR- Lesson 1- When to Get to the Vet

The material in Module 1 will teach you how to access the severity of an animal’s condition, restrain and transport sick and injured animals. Complete each lesson within the module.  Read your reference guide before taking the module quiz. The quiz is comprehensive and covers all material within each lesson.

13 Animal Emergencies That Require Immediate Veterinary Care

1. Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop within 5 minutes
2. Choking, difficulty breathing or nonstop coughing and gagging
3. Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up blood, or blood in urine
4. Inability to urinate or pass feces (stool), or obvious pain associated with urinating or passing stool
5. Injuries to your pet’s eye(s)
6. You suspect or know your pet has eaten something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
7. Seizures and/or staggering
8. Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move leg(s)
9. Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
10. Heat stress or heatstroke
11. Severe vomiting or diarrhea – more than 2 episodes in a 24-hour period, or either of these combined with obvious illness or any of the other problems listed here
12. Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
13. Unconsciousness

Unfortunately animals do become sick and/or injured when at an animal shelter or in the care of a rescuer. It is important to know what to do in these situations so the outcome of the pet’s well being is a good one. We hope through this course you will gain a better understanding of how to provide first aid to an animal in your care.