Provide first aid to animals
Overview
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
comply with the relevant animal health and welfare legislation, veterinary and medicines legislation and associated codes of practice
carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
maintain the contents of a first aid kit that is suitable for the animals you are working with, including personal protective equipment (PPE)
select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
assess your own limitations to provide first aid to an animal
apply the aims and principles of first aid to the situation and the animal you are faced with
recognise a potential emergency situation
assess the type of emergency situation, identifying whether it is potentially life threatening, requires immediate attention or is minor
assess the risks before approaching an animal that requires first aid
approach, handle and restrain the animal in a way that minimises stress and maintains health and safety
undertake a primary assessment of the animal that requires first aid
recognise the visual signs of common conditions and situations and provide the relevant first aid for the animal
monitor animals following the provision of first aid, as required by the animal
transport the animal to the veterinary practice, if required maintaining health and safety of the animal, yourself and those involved in or affected by your work
recognise the signs of stress, fear, aggression and pain in animals
confirm that continuity of care of the animal is maintained by handing the animal over to a relevant person and giving details of the first aid assistance provided and the response of the animal
complete records as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional and the limits of your own authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessments, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
how to set up, use and maintain a first aid kit that is suitable for the animals you are working with
how to assess your own abilities and limitations to provide first aid to animals
what is meant by the term “first aid”, the main aims and objectives of first aid for animals and the limitations of its provision
the classifications of the three main types of emergency: life-threatening, immediate attention required, or minor
how to recognise an emergency situation and the importance of seeking veterinary attention and of knowing where to find the location and contact details of veterinary practices
how to assess the dangers of providing first aid to an animal
how to approach, handle and restrain an injured animal in a way that reduces stress and maintains health and safety
how to undertake a primary assessment of the animal that requires first aid
the visual signs for a range of common situations or conditions in the animal species you are working with and the first aid that is suitable for these
how to monitor the animal following the administration of first aid, as required by the animal
how to check that the animal’s welfare is maintained throughout and that your actions do not cause an adverse reaction
how to move and transport animals safely and securely
the actions to take when signs of stress, fear, aggression and pain in the animal you are working with are detected
the early indications of a change in behaviour that is associated with ill health, and the indicators of injury or pain, discomfort, disease or distress
the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
how to confirm continuity of care for the animal through the handing over of care to a relevant person and the information that should be provided to them
the records that need to be kept in relation to providing first aid to animals and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
the zoonotic risk when working with animals
your legal and professional liability when providing first aid to animals
the requirements of the Veterinary Surgeons Act in relation to the provision of first aid to animals
Scope/range
behaviour
checking and clearing and maintaining the animal’s airway
checking breathing
checking circulation
controlling a haemorrhage
the need for veterinary attention or advice
the need for veterinary attention or advice
behaviour
temperature
pulse
respiration
colour of mucous membranes
posture
ability to stand and movement
production of urine and faeces
hydration
thirst and appetite
level of consciousness
abnormal swelling or discolouration
bleeding
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Current animal welfare legislation:
veterinary surgeon
owner/keeper
colleague
Visual signs of common conditions and situations:
method
restraint
separation, if transporting multiple animals
hygiene and biosecurity
ventilation and heat control
- monitoring of stress