Foundations of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

Veterinary emergency and critical care manages life-threatening conditions in animals across species. Sound practice rests on understanding triage, stabilization, and the principles of intensive care. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the principles of veterinary triage, recognize the structured approach to stabilization, identify the role of critical care monitoring, and understand the structure of the veterinary ICU team. What you will learn: - The principles of veterinary triage and the assessment of perfusion and respiration - The structured approach to stabilization including airway, breathing, and circulation - Common emergency presentations across species and their initial management priorities - Principles of fluid therapy and shock recognition in veterinary patients - Principles of monitoring including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological - The structure of the veterinary ICU team and the role of veterinary technicians - Ethical considerations including communication with owners during emergencies The course uses readings, presentation summaries, case examples, and reflection questions. Each module ends with applied exercises. This course is written for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students strengthening emergency and critical care knowledge. It does not replace supervised clinical training or species-specific specialty mentorship. By the end you will have a structured foundation in veterinary emergency and critical care.