This Online Canine First Aid course begins by familiarising you with the normal signs of a healthy dog so that when a dog becomes unwell, you can tell the difference. You will come to recognise indications of ill health in dogs, gain an understanding of when it is necessary to contact a vet and understand when emergency care is required.
Next, you’ll get to grips with some standard first aid equipment and products and learn about some of the risks associated with administering first aid to dogs. You’ll increase your understanding of canine safety in the home and become aware of common household items that can pose a risk to a dog’s health.
Dogs can be very good at hiding pain, so it’s up to us to be familiar with the signs that something is not right. You’ll learn how to recognise these signs, the risks associated with handling dogs experiencing pain, and how to safely handle and move a dog who is injured or in pain.
The Canine First Aid Course explains the reasons for bandaging, the principles of basic bandage selection, the many types of dressings and bandaging materials available and how to select the appropriate materials for the condition being treated. You’ll be shown how to apply bandages to the limbs, head, body and tail.
By completing this dog first aid course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of how to respond to common first aid situations and emergency situations concerning the eyes, nose and mouth. You’ll learn about disorders of the digestive tract and be aware of signs of poisoning and how to respond. You’ll understand the different types of shock, be able to assess and respond to different types of haemorrhage, determine types of fractures and be able to treat them accordingly and understand different wound types.
You’ll gain an understanding of canine pregnancy, including the length of gestation, how to assess different stages of labour, how to determine if there is an emergency situation, and how to resuscitate newborn puppies.
The primary skills of a first aider include the ability to assess a dangerous situation, ensure personal safety and to apply first aid in an accident situation. You’ll learn how to do these, deal with the outcomes and apply self-care. You’ll also learn about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), when and what aspects of CPR are required in a given situation and how to apply CPR methods.
By the end of the course, you will:
- Be able to recognise, assist and care for dogs in emergency situations
- Know what to do in an emergency and administer first aid
- Understand the difference between a healthy and unhealthy dog
- Be able to assess risk and act in a safe manner
- Know how to transport injured animals safely
- Be ready to recognise and use first aid equipment effectively
- Understand the importance of managing your own stress and self-care
