Animal First Aid

Outline
This course aims to give the student who has an interest in or daily contact with animals a broad exposure to first aid situations, outlining the treatments they are permitted to give under the current Veterinary Surgeon’s Act.

Topic 1 - Basic Principles of First Aid

Aims
To understand the UK legislation governing first aid
To learn the basic principles of first aid
To learn how to assess the essential functions of the body
Topic 2 - The Road Traffic Accident Victim

Aims
To understand shock and how to treat shock in a first aid situation
To recognise and be able to treat emergency bleeding injuries
To recognise and stabilise fractures in animals ready for transportation to the vets
Topic 3 - Basic principles of wildlife first aid

Aims
To examine the handling and care of common British wildlife
To recognise common wildlife injuries
To understand how to release animals safely back into the wild
Topic 4 - Wounds!

Aims
To learn the risks and first aid procedures for wounds, including burns and stings
To understand dressings and how to apply a bandage safely
Topic 5 - Health and hygiene

Aims
To understand how to manage the micro-organisms in your environment – the good guys and the bad!
To learn how diseases spread and put both us and our animals at risk
Topic 6 - Poisons!

Aims
To recognise common poisons around the home and the risk they pose to your pet
To make your home safer for your pet
To learn how to deal with and give first aid for plants and mineral matter that can get into body organs such as the eye accidentally
Topic 7 - The first aid kit!

Aims
To obtain guidance on the contents of an ideal first aid kit
To learn more about treatments you can give at home without veterinary prescriptions.
To gain practical advice on giving medications at home