Small Animal Emergency Medicine: Triage And Initial Evaluation
All stages of emergency medicine are important for the successful management of the critical patient. The first stages correspond to triage and initial evaluation.
Before any veterinary emergency, anticipation and prevention are essential. That is why the survey (known as anamnesis) that is carried out with the tutor before any sanitary act is so important. This set of questions provides the data on which the subsequent emergency management will be based, at least for the first few moments.
Triage and initial evaluation
The triage process in veterinary medicine
Triage can be defined as the assessment and treatment assignment of patients following a priority system designed to maximize the number of survivors.
The initial contact between a client and the veterinary clinic is often over the phone. The information obtained in this conversation can even help in the diagnosis of the animal.
The immediate objective of a telephone triage is to determine if the animal needs to be examined by the veterinarian urgently, and also to help, if necessary, the guardian to apply first aid to your pet.
What questions should you ask the tutor?
The vet is interested in knowing:
- the way the animal breathes
- color of oral or conjunctival mucosa
- level of consciousness
- presence and severity of bleeding, wounds, fractures, vomiting, and diarrhea
- animal’s ability to walk
- ability to urinate
- degree of abdominal distention.
Preparation of the animal to take it to the clinic
It is recommended to place the animal in a carrier, so that its movement is minimal and the problems are not aggravated. In the event of bleeding, application of direct pressure or a tourniquet can control it. If possible, all of these measures should be taken by following the telephone instructions of a veterinarian, just like any other first aid method.
Triage and initial evaluation once the animal arrives at the clinic
Once they have arrived at the vet, each pet should be quickly evaluated by a professional. This initial evaluation will determine if the animal requires immediate treatment or if it is stable enough to wait. This, once again, is part of the triage.
The four main devices are first evaluated:
- respiratory;
- cardiovascular;
- neurological;
- renal.
Dysfunctions in any of these systems can be incompatible with life and must be treated as quickly as possible.
Breathing check
Respiratory rate, rhythm and respiratory effort should be determined as soon as possible. Signs of respiratory distress include increased respiratory rate or extended head and neck among others.
Checking cardiovascular function
The evaluation of the cardiovascular system includes checking the color of the mucosa, the time of capillary refill, and the quality and rhythm of the pulse. Troubling signs include mucosal pale bluish or very red, altered capillary refill time, weak pulses or bulging, etc.
Evaluation of the nervous system
Immediate neurological evaluation should include checking the mobility and autonomy of the animal. Neurological abnormalities that must be treated quickly include stupor, hyperexcitability, seizures, etc.
Triage and initial evaluation: verification of urinary function
Evaluation of the renal system should include review of the ability to urinate and palpation of the bladder.
After the initial evaluation, how are decisions made?
Animals with any dysfunction in one of the four systems mentioned will be immediately taken to the primary care area.
Conditions that affect other body systems are not, in general, immediately incompatible with life. But its effects must also be taken into account.
There are also problems that do not affect the four main appliances immediately, but require immediate action. These include poisoning or poisoning, bleeding trauma, prolapsed organs, open wounds or fractures, burns, and dystocia.
Quick action can save lives
We have seen how triage and initial evaluation are essential in making decisions about how to approach a veterinary emergency. They allow knowing the immediate situation of the animals to decide in what order to act and with how much urgency.
Once both are done, the next step will be to proceed to primary care. From there, to secondary care, in which, if necessary, the animal would be referred to a specialized center.
