Download Emergency Care

C – ECC.2
Ref. No.
C –ECC.2
Title:
Emergency Care A
Value:
10 credits
Notional Study Hours:
100
Candidates working towards the designated Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice
(Emergency and Critical Care) should refer to the modular combinations document which can be
found on the RCVS website. Upon completion of all the necessary modules, a further synoptic
assessment will also be required.
General guidance notes
Please refer to the General Guidance and Assessment for all Modules document.
Standards
The aim of the module is to enable the candidate to extend and consolidate clinical knowledge
and skills gained at undergraduate level, in order to implement a prioritised, problem-based
approach to the emergency patient. The candidate is encouraged to develop a cross-disciplinary
approach to patient care.
Area covered
The module is one of three C- level modules in Emergency and Critical Care. This module is
focused on recognition and treatment of common emergencies of the cardiovascular, respiratory,
haemo-lymphatic, musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
The module is aimed at veterinary surgeons in general small animal practice or at an emergency
service. The module is written from a small animal perspective. The majority of the material will
apply to the dog or cat, with a minority of the material addressing common conditions of rabbits
and other species.
Learning outcomes
This module will enable the candidate to:
 Gain a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology, treatment and differential diagnosis
of common emergency conditions in the aforementioned body systems
 Develop their skills in performing emergency diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
 Use the information gained in this module to critically appraise their current working
practices, their working environment, staff and equipment with regard to preparation for and
management of the emergency patient.
Page 1 of 4
C – ECC.2
Assessment strategy for this module
It is suggested that this module could be assessed by the following methods:
 A case diary that documents the candidate’s experiences over the period that the module is
being completed (a minimum of 90 days and no fewer than 50 patients with systemic illness
in these five systems). An example of the appropriate information to be included in the
case diary is included later in this document.
 A reflective essay, of about 800 words, completed at the end of the module, reflecting upon
how the course of study has resulted in a more competent practitioner. This may include a
detailed critical review of a specific aspect of emergency practice or an emergency
procedure.
 Candidates working towards a designated certificate in Emergency and Critical Care will be
required to undertake a synoptic assessment once all modules are completed.
Module content
At the end of the module, candidates should be able to:
1. Discuss and explain the aetiologies, typical history, physical examination findings, diagnostic
algorithm and treatment options for the patient which has acute dysfunction in the
cardiovascular, respiratory, haemo-lymphatic, musculoskeletal, or nervous systems. Examples
of acute dysfunction include, but are not limited to, the following conditions:
 Cardiovascular: mitral valve insufficiency, congestive heart failure, ruptured chordae
tendinae, pericardial effusion, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy,
bacterial endocarditis, heart base tumours, toxins that cause arrhythmias, ventricular
tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, sick
sinus syndrome, causes of sinus bradycardia, causes of sinus tachycardia, aortic or other
thromboembolic disease, common congenital cardiac and vascular malformations,
cardiopulmonary arrest.
 Respiratory: pulmonary oedema, bacterial pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, common
canine and feline mediastinal and pulmonary neoplasias, pleural effusion, pyothorax in the
cat, pneumothorax, haemothorax, tracheal collapse, pharyngeal and tracheal injuries,
diaphragmatic hernia, broken ribs/ flail chest, bite wounds to the chest, smoke inhalation,
paraquat toxicity, pulmonary thromboembolism.
 Haemo-Lymphatic: anaemia of any cause, leukaemia, paracetamol toxicity,
methaemoglobinaemia, haemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, haemorrhage, transfusion
therapy, coagulation, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, Vitamin Kantagonist toxicity, anaphylactic reactions, vaccine-associated reactions.
 Musculoskeletal: lameness of any cause, repair of abdominal / inguinal/ umbilical hernia,
cellulitis, tendon and pad injuries, acute myositis, recognition and prognosis of fractures
 Neurologic: degenerative myelopathy, intervertebral disc disease, fibrocartilaginous
embolism, brachial plexus avulsion, epilepsy, intracranial neoplasia, meningitis, ataxia,
tremors, seizures, vestibular disease, neurotoxins including but not limited to
Page 2 of 4
C – ECC.2
organophosphate, carbamate, metaldehyde, pyrethrin, chocolate, lead, mushroom, illicit
drugs.
2. Describe the technique for performing common emergency procedures, such as those listed
below. This list is not intended to be restrictive or proscriptive.
 Cardiovascular:
– Use dobutamine or dopamine in the management of severe congestive heart failure
– Perform pericardiocentesis to relieve pericardial tamponade
– Measure blood pressure indirectly using a Doppler probe and sphygmomanometer with
cuff
– Obtain Lead II ECG trace and assess it for life-threatening arrhythmias
– Use lidocaine in the management of ventricular tachycardia
– Manage a cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation
– Use ultrasound to assess a possible pericardial effusion
 Respiratory:
– Place a nasal catheter for intranasal oxygen administration
– Place an indwelling chest tube
– Perform thoracocentesis
– Interpret the pO2 and SaO2 from blood gas measurements
– Interpret pH, HCO3 and pCO2 on blood gases
– Perform the anaesthesia to repair a diaphragmatic hernia
– Perform the surgical repair of a diaphragmatic hernia
 Haemo-Lymphatic:
– Perform and interpret a platelet estimate from a blood smear
– Evaluate red blood cell morphology on a blood smear for an anaemic patient
– Interpret coagulation parameters on a coagulopathy suspect
– Administer a blood or plasma transfusion
– Administer a haemoglobin substitute (such as Oxyglobin)
 Musculo-Skeletal:
– Replace a dislocated hip under anaesthesia
Page 3 of 4
C – ECC.2
– Place an Ehmer sling on the hind limb
 Neurologic:
– Localise an acute intervertebral disk lesion and assess the prognosis
Recommended reading list
ECC textbooks
Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment, 8th edition - Ford &
Mazzaferro
Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Procedures, Hackett & Mazzaferro
Emergency and Critical Care Manual – K Mathews
Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care Medicine – Macintire, Drobatz et al
Veterinary Emergency Medicine Secrets - Wingfield
Textbook of Small Animal Surgery - Fossum
Fluid Therapy in Small Animal Practice, DiBartola
Journals
Candidates are encouraged to review recent issues of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and
Critical Care.
Online resources
www.medscape.com
www.webmd.com
www.pubmed.gov
Case diary
Patient Name and/or Hospital ID, Date of Admission
Patient Signalment – Species, Breed, Sex, Age, Weight
Presenting Complaint(s) and Duration
Pre-existing Problems
Physical Examination Findings
Initial Diagnostic Database
Initial Treatment and Response to Treatment
Further Diagnostic Tests
Definitive Treatment
Outcome, Date of Discharge
Page 4 of 4