# Veterinary Triage Sheet: Design and Implementation ## Key Takeaways - The veterinary triage sheet is the foundational legal document for emergency patients, necessitating contemporaneous recording of signalment, presenting complaint (owner's verbatim words), and vital parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time) using species-appropriate reference intervals from sources like the MSD Veterinary Manual. - A well-designed triage sheet follows an information hierarchy based on collection order (arrival, signalment, presenting complaint, primary survey, secondary survey, vital signs, interventions) and employs layout principles such as checkboxes and adequate writing space to minimize omission errors and cognitive load. - Documentation standards mandate attribution of findings to specific staff members, contemporaneous recording with indelible ink and proper correction protocols, and seamless integration into the electronic or paper medical record, referencing each other to ensure continuity of care. - Triage category assignment is dynamic, requiring time-stamped reassessment after primary and secondary surveys, with clear escalation thresholds based on objective findings (e.g., absent pulse, CRT > 2 seconds, temperature < 37.0°C) and distinct fields for veterinarian notification time to facilitate audit of response intervals. - Implementation requires a Standard Operating Procedure, competency assessment for staff, and regular audits of completed sheets to identify failure modes like category inflation/deflation and documentation drift, driving protocol revisions and targeted training. - Adaptations for species (e.g., gait assessment for equine, herd-level data for production animals) and settings (e.g., condensed forms for mobile practices) are crucial, with a focus on usability in variable conditions and adherence to biosecurity standards where applicable. --- This article provides a structured framework for designing, implementing, and maintaining a veterinary triage sheet for use in emergency and general practice settings. It serves the practicing veterinarian who must balance rapid patient assessment with complete, legally defensible documentation. The content addresses the procedural question of how a triage instrument should be constructed, deployed, and audited, while deliberately excluding the clinical decision-making algorithms that operate alongside it. A companion article covers acuity scoring systems in detail. The triage sheet is the first permanent clinical record created for an emergency patient. Its design determines whether the initial assessment captures the data needed for treatment prioritization, handover, and outcome review. A poorly constructed sheet generates documentation gaps that compromise patient safety and create medicolegal exposure. This reference explains the scientific rationale for specific fields, the layout principles that reduce omission errors, and the implementation steps that ensure staff compliance. ## At a Glance | Parameter | Design Requirement | Implementation Consideration | |---|---|---| | Patient identification | Permanent microchip, registered name, and owner contact | Verify against hospital database before treatment begins | | Presenting complaint | Owner's verbatim words, not staff interpretation | Record time of onset and progression | | Triage category | Color or numeric designation assigned at first contact | Must be time-stamped and reassigned on re-evaluation | | Vital signs | Heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time | Use species-appropriate reference intervals from a named source such as the [MSD Veterinary Manual](https://www.msdvetmanual.com/) | | Triage score | Validated instrument appropriate to the case type | Document the specific scoring system used | | Immediate interventions | Oxygen, intravenous access, hemorrhage control | Record start time and response | | Veterinarian notification | Time the clinician was alerted and time of arrival | Distinguish triage nurse findings from clinician findings | | Disposition | Admit, treat and release, transfer, or euthanise | Record owner consent discussions | ## Purpose and Scope of the Triage Sheet The triage sheet exists to convert a chaotic first encounter into structured data. It forces the assessor to collect the minimum dataset before treatment proceeds, and it creates a contemporaneous record that supports later clinical decisions. The sheet also functions as a communication tool between the triage nurse, the attending veterinarian, and the hospital team. Without a standardized form, handover relies on memory and verbal description, both of which degrade under pressure. The scope of the sheet extends beyond the emergency department. General practices that see urgent walk-in cases benefit from the same instrument, modified for lower caseloads. Mixed animal practices require either separate sheets for major species groups or a single sheet with species-specific sections. Production animal triage presents additional considerations around herd-level assessment and biosecurity, and the [WOAH terrestrial animal health standards](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) provide relevant context for managing animals with suspected notifiable disease during the triage process. ## Design Principles ### Information Hierarchy The sheet must arrange fields in the order they are collected, not in order of clinical importance. The first section captures signalment and presenting complaint because these are obtained before physical examination begins. The second section records the primary survey findings. The third section documents the triage category and any immediate interventions. This chronological structure reduces the cognitive load on the assessor and prevents the common failure mode of completing the sheet after treatment has started, from memory. ### Field Selection Every field on the sheet must justify its presence. Fields that are never used, or that duplicate information recorded elsewhere in the medical record, add noise and encourage staff to skip sections. Core fields include arrival time, triage time, and the time the veterinarian was notified. These timestamps are the backbone of any later audit of triage performance. The sheet should also include a field for the triage acuity score, with the scoring system named explicitly so that a reader of the record can interpret the number. ### Layout and Usability The physical layout affects completion rates. Use checkboxes for categorical findings such as mentation and mucous membrane color, with a free-text line for additional detail. Provide large enough writing areas for numeric values. Avoid double-sided sheets where possible, because the reverse side is frequently overlooked. If the sheet must be two-sided, place the triage category and vital signs on the front and the less frequently used fields on the back. The form should be printable on standard paper and should not require specialised equipment. ## Documentation Standards ### Contemporaneous Recording The triage sheet is a legal document and must be completed at the time of assessment, not reconstructed afterward. Staff should be trained to record findings as they are obtained, using a pen that cannot be erased. Corrections are made with a single line through the error, the correction written alongside, and the change initialled and timed. This standard applies to every entry, including the triage category and vital signs. ### Attribution of Findings Each entry must identify who made the observation. The triage nurse records the initial vital signs and assigns the initial triage category. The veterinarian records their own examination findings and any changes to the triage category. This attribution matters when the record is reviewed after an adverse outcome, because it establishes the sequence of assessments and the point at which the clinician assumed responsibility for the case. ### Integration with the Medical Record The triage sheet should be scanned into the electronic medical record on admission or filed in the paper chart immediately. It is not a standalone document. The sheet feeds the ongoing patient monitoring record, and the [AAHA and AAFP fluid therapy guidelines](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2024-aaha-fluid-therapy-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/) illustrate how initial triage data, including body weight and perfusion parameters, inform subsequent treatment planning. The triage sheet should reference the main record and the main record should reference the triage sheet. ## Species and Setting Adaptations ### Small Animal Practice The standard small animal sheet covers dogs and cats with a single layout. The vital sign fields must accommodate the different reference intervals between species, and the sheet should prompt the assessor to record body weight in kilograms, which drives drug dosing and fluid planning. The [RECOVER Initiative veterinary CPR guidelines](https://recoverinitiative.org/) note that early recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest risk depends on accurate triage assessment, so the sheet should include a field for respiratory effort and pulse quality, also rate. ### Equine and Production Animal Practice Equine triage sheets require fields for gait assessment, pain scoring, and the distinction between medical and surgical colic presentations. Production animal sheets must capture the number of animals affected, the index case details, and biosecurity risk factors such as recent introductions or movement history. These sheets are often completed in barns or paddocks, so the layout must be usable with gloved hands and in variable weather. A waterproof paper stock is a practical consideration. ### Low-Resource and Mobile Settings Practices that provide ambulatory or mobile services may use a condensed version of the sheet. The essential fields remain the same, but the layout is compressed to a single page that fits on a clipboard. The triage category and vital signs remain mandatory, while optional fields such as referring veterinarian details can be omitted. The sheet must still meet the same documentation standards for contemporaneous recording and attribution. ## Implementation and Staff Training ### Standard Operating Procedure The triage sheet is only effective if every staff member uses it consistently. A written standard operating procedure should define who completes each section, when the veterinarian is notified, and how the sheet is filed. The procedure should be reviewed at least annually and after any significant incident. The [AVMA practice resources](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools) provide general guidance on developing practice protocols and staff training materials that can be adapted for triage documentation. ### Competency Assessment New staff should complete a supervised triage assessment before working independently. The supervisor observes the trainee completing the sheet on real or simulated cases and checks for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness. Competency is demonstrated when the trainee completes three consecutive sheets without omission errors and assigns triage categories that match the supervisor's independent assessment. Refresher training is indicated when audit reveals recurring documentation gaps. ### Audit and Quality Improvement The triage sheet provides the data for regular audit. A monthly review of completed sheets can identify patterns such as missing timestamps, illegible entries, or inconsistent triage category assignment. The audit should examine whether the veterinarian was notified within the target time for each triage category and whether the documented findings support the assigned category. Findings from the audit feed directly into protocol revisions and staff training. ## Template Structure and Field Definitions A triage sheet earns its place in the clinical workflow only when every field maps to a documented action or decision. The template below reflects the design principles established earlier in this article and can be adapted to species, caseload, and facility capability. Each field is followed by the reason it exists and the failure mode it prevents. | Section | Field | Purpose | Common omission | |---|---|---|---| | Arrival | Time of arrival, mode of arrival (walk-in, referred, ambulance) | Establishes the triage clock and referral pathway | Time recorded only after the examination begins | | Signalment | Species, breed, age, sex, reproductive status, body weight | Determines normal reference ranges and drug selection | Body weight estimated instead of measured | | Presenting complaint | Owner's verbatim description, duration, progression | Anchors the triage to the owner's concern, not the clinician's assumption | Paraphrased or interpreted before recording | | Triage category | Color or numeric acuity score | Drives waiting time and resource allocation | Assigned after the full examination instead of at first contact | | Primary survey | Airway, breathing, circulation, consciousness, ambulation | Identifies immediately life-threatening abnormalities | Performed but not documented until later | | Secondary survey | Systems-based findings, pain score, body condition | Captures injuries or abnormalities not in the primary complaint | Limited to the presenting complaint | | Vital parameters | Heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse quality, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time | Provides objective baseline for trend monitoring | Single values recorded without pulse quality or CRT | | Triage interventions | Oxygen, intravenous access, analgesia, wound care, restraint | Documents what was done before the full examination | Interventions performed but not recorded | | Diagnostics | Point-of-care tests, blood sampling, imaging performed at triage | Links test results to triage decisions | Results recorded in the chart but not on the sheet | | Owner communication | Summary given, consent obtained, estimated cost discussed | Confirms the owner understands the plan and its implications | Assumed instead of verified | | Staff attribution | Triage nurse or technician name, veterinarian notified, time of notification | Establishes accountability and communication chain | Veterinarian notification time not recorded | | Disposition | Admitted, treated and discharged, referred, euthanised | Closes the triage episode and feeds the audit log | Left blank when the patient moves to the ward | The sheet should fit on a single page for most small animal patients. Equine and production animal cases may require a second page for herd-level data, but the first page must retain the same field order so that staff moving between species do not relearn the layout. ## The Triage Sequence The triage sheet structures a sequence that begins before the patient is removed from the carrier or trailer. The first recorded observation is the patient's ability to stand, move, and respond to handling. This is not a formal gait examination. It is a binary assessment of perfusion and neurological adequacy that determines whether the patient enters the examination room or the resuscitation area. The primary survey follows a fixed order: airway, breathing, circulation, consciousness, ambulation. Each component has a defined threshold that changes the triage category. A patient with an obstructed airway, absent breathing effort, or no detectable pulse is categorised as critical and moved directly to the treatment area. The sheet must have a checkbox or field for each component so that the survey is visibly complete. A blank field is indistinguishable from an unperformed assessment. The secondary survey is systems-based and should be completed in the same order on every patient. The sheet lists body systems in a fixed sequence: head and neck, thorax, abdomen, musculoskeletal, neurological, integumentary. This prevents the common error of examining only the obvious injury. A patient with a pelvic fracture may also have a ruptured bladder, and a patient with a head wound may have a cervical spinal injury. The fixed sequence forces the examiner through each system even when the presenting complaint is localized. Vital parameters are recorded as measured values, not as normal or abnormal. The sheet should have a dedicated row for each parameter with a space for the time of measurement. Serial measurements taken 15 minutes apart are more informative than a single set, and the sheet must accommodate at least three time points on the same row so that trends are visible without flipping pages. ## Decision Points and Category Assignment The triage category is assigned at three points: on arrival, after the primary survey, and after the secondary survey. Each assignment is recorded separately, and the sheet must allow the category to change without erasing the earlier value. A patient who arrives stable but deteriorates during the secondary survey should show that progression on the sheet. The decision to escalate from one category to another is driven by specific findings. Apnoea, cyanosis, or absent pulse mandates immediate intervention regardless of the assigned category. A heart rate above 180 beats per minute in a dog or below 100 in a cat, a capillary refill time above two seconds, or a temperature below 37.0 degrees Celsius all warrant escalation. These thresholds are drawn from standard emergency references such as the [MSD Veterinary Manual](https://www.msdvetmanual.com/) and should be printed on the sheet as a reference line for staff who are less experienced. The decision to involve the veterinarian is a separate field from the triage category. A triage nurse or technician may assign a category without calling the veterinarian, but the sheet must have a specific field for veterinarian notification with a time stamp. This separation is deliberate. It allows the facility to audit whether veterinarian involvement occurred within the target interval for each category. ## Equipment and Consumable Choices The triage sheet is a paper or electronic instrument, but its utility depends on the equipment available at the triage station. A digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, and Doppler blood pressure device should be within arm's reach of the triage area. A stethoscope is required for every patient. An otoscope and ophthalmoscope are needed for the secondary survey. Scales must be calibrated and large enough to accommodate the largest species seen by the practice. For equine and production animal practice, the triage station may be a vehicle or a corner of a barn. The sheet must be waterproof or stored in a protective sleeve, and the equipment list must include a halter, lead rope, and hoof testers. The [WOAH terrestrial animal health standards](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) describe biosecurity expectations that affect equipment choice in herd settings, particularly where multiple farms are visited in a single day. Electronic triage sheets require a device that survives the clinical environment. Tablets with rugged cases and stylus input are preferable to keyboards in areas where hands may be wet or gloved. The electronic form must enforce the same field order and mandatory fields as the paper version, and it must timestamp each entry automatically. ## Documentation of Triage Interventions Every intervention performed at triage is recorded on the sheet with the time of administration and the staff member who performed it. Oxygen supplementation, intravenous catheter placement, fluid bolus administration, and analgesic administration are the most common triage interventions. The sheet must distinguish between interventions performed and interventions ordered, because the veterinarian may order a treatment that the nurse administers later. The [AAHA/AAFP fluid therapy guidelines](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2024-aaha-fluid-therapy-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/) emphasize that fluid selection and rate planning should be individualised and monitored. The triage sheet records the initial fluid choice and rate, but the monitoring parameters that follow, including heart rate, pulse quality, and urine output, belong on the patient monitoring sheet instead of the triage sheet. The triage sheet captures the starting point. The monitoring sheet captures the trajectory. Analgesia at triage requires a pain score recorded before and after administration. The sheet must have a pain scale that is species-appropriate and validated for the species in question. A feline pain score is not interchangeable with a canine score, and neither applies to an equine patient. The sheet should state which scale is in use so that serial scores are comparable. ## Template Delivery The sample template below is a working document that can be reproduced and modified for individual practice needs. It contains the essential data fields described throughout this article and follows the field order recommended for small animal practice. Equine and production animal practices should modify the signalment and secondary survey sections to reflect species-specific anatomy and herd context. ## Recognized Complications and Failure Modes The triage sheet fails in predictable ways. The most common is category inflation, where patients are assigned a higher acuity level than their presentation warrants. This is detected early by comparing triage category assignments against disposition outcomes during audit. A practice that consistently triages 60 percent of presentations as critical while admitting fewer than 20 percent has a calibration problem, not a caseload problem. Category deflation is more dangerous. It presents as a patient assigned to a low acuity category who subsequently deteriorates in the waiting room. Detection requires a documented reassessment interval on the sheet and a culture that treats missed reassessment as a critical incident. The [RECOVER Initiative Veterinary CPR Guidelines](https://recoverinitiative.org/) emphasize that arrest is rarely sudden, it is preceded by identifiable deterioration that monitoring should capture. Documentation drift is a third failure mode. Sheets completed hours after the encounter, or completed by a clinician who was not present, lose the contemporaneous quality that makes triage data defensible. The discriminating check is simple: compare the timestamp on the triage sheet with the timestamp on the patient's arrival record. A gap beyond the practice's stated standard indicates process failure, not clinical error. | Observation | Likely cause | Discriminating check | |---|---|---| | Triage category consistently higher than final diagnosis | Category inflation, overcautious staff | Compare category to disposition and hospitalization rate | | Low-acuity patient found collapsed in waiting room | Category deflation, missed deterioration | Verify reassessment interval was documented and followed | | Triage sheet completed after the fact | Documentation drift, staffing pressure | Compare sheet timestamp to arrival timestamp | | Vital parameters missing or illegible | Incomplete training, poor form design | Review sheets weekly for blank fields and unreadable entries | | Triage category changed without explanation | Unclear escalation pathway | Require a written reason for any category change | ## Common Errors and Corrective Action Less experienced clinicians tend to anchor on the presenting complaint and underweight the physical examination. A dog presented for lameness may have a normal gait but a heart rate of 180 and pale mucous membranes. The corrective action is to enforce a fixed sequence on the sheet that compels vital parameter recording before the problem list is written. Students and new graduates frequently confuse triage category with diagnosis. They attempt to assign a category based on the suspected disease instead of the physiological stability of the patient. The corrective action is to train that triage category reflects the patient's current status, not the anticipated outcome. A stable patient with a confirmed gastric dilatation-volvulus may be triaged as urgent while a stable patient with an unknown abdominal mass may be triaged as routine, pending further assessment. A third error is the failure to escalate when the sheet reveals conflicting data. A patient with a normal heart rate but a prolonged capillary refill time should trigger a repeat assessment, not a shrug. The [AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2024-aaha-fluid-therapy-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/) note that perfusion parameters should be interpreted as a set, and that a single normal value does not rule out hypoperfusion. ## Limitations of the Evidence and Areas of Disagreement The evidence base for veterinary triage sheet design is thin. Most published guidance is extrapolated from human emergency medicine, and the species differences are substantial. Heart rate ranges, mucous membrane assessment, and even the definition of respiratory distress vary across dogs, cats, horses, and production animals. The [MSD Veterinary Manual](https://www.msdvetmanual.com/) provides species-specific reference ranges, but these are not triage thresholds, and practitioners must adapt them to their local caseload. Expert opinion differs on the optimal number of triage categories. Some argue for three, citing simplicity and inter-rater reliability. Others argue for five, citing the need to distinguish between stable and unstable patients within the urgent category. Neither position is supported by robust outcome data in veterinary medicine. Practices should select a model, standardize it, and audit it instead of chase an unproven ideal. There is also disagreement about whether triage should be performed by a veterinarian or a trained technician. The [American Veterinary Medical Association Practice Resources](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools) describe team-based emergency care, but the legal scope of triage delegation varies by jurisdiction. Practices must confirm their local regulations before assigning triage authority to non-veterinarians. ## Referral, Consultation, and Regulatory Reporting The triage sheet should contain explicit triggers for escalation beyond the practice. These include patients with suspected foreign animal diseases, which carry reporting obligations under international standards such as the [WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/). The sheet should have a dedicated field for notifiable disease suspicion so that the information is captured before the patient leaves the building. Referral triggers are species and capability dependent. A practice without overnight monitoring should refer any patient whose triage category implies a need for continuous observation. A practice without advanced imaging should refer trauma patients with suspected internal hemorrhage. The triage sheet should include a referral checklist that prompts the clinician to consider transfer before the patient is admitted, not after deterioration. Laboratory involvement is warranted when the triage sheet identifies instability without an obvious cause. Point-of-care lactate, glucose, and packed cell volume can be performed at triage in many practices, but the decision to pursue these should be guided by the sheet's findings instead of performed reflexively. Specialist consultation is appropriate when the triage category and the physical findings diverge, or when the patient fails to respond to initial stabilization within the reassessment interval. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I design a triage sheet when our practice has a very limited budget? Prioritize function over form. A single laminated A4 sheet with a dry-erase marker can replace a printed stack and costs little to maintain. Photocopy a master template and keep a clipboard at the reception desk. Free spreadsheet software can generate a fillable digital form for tablet use. The essential components are the primary survey fields, vital sign ranges, and a category assignment grid. Skip color printing, custom branding, and proprietary software. The [AAHA and AAFP fluid therapy guidelines](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2024-aaha-fluid-therapy-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/) describe monitoring parameters that should appear on any sheet regardless of budget, since these fields drive treatment decisions. ### What should I do when the ideal triage equipment is unavailable? Document what you can measure and flag what you cannot. If no thermometer is available, record extremity temperature and mucous membrane assessment as subjective findings. If blood pressure measurement is impossible, note pulse quality and perfusion indicators. The sheet should include a designated field for "equipment unavailable" so the omission is visible to the attending veterinarian instead of silently lost. The [RECOVER Initiative guidelines](https://recoverinitiative.org/) emphasize that assessment of perfusion and ventilation can proceed with minimal equipment, using mentation, pulse character, and respiratory effort as proxies. Never leave a field blank without explanation, as a missing value may be misread as normal. ### How does the triage sheet differ for avian or exotic species? The sequence remains the same but reference ranges and handling precautions change. Birds and small mammals lose heat rapidly, so the sheet should include a body condition and posture assessment before handling. Respiratory rate in birds is often assessed visually instead of by auscultation. Weight in grams is essential for drug calculations and should appear prominently. The [MSD Veterinary Manual](https://www.msdvetmanual.com/) provides species-specific normal ranges that must be printed on the reverse side of the sheet for quick reference. Include a field for "prey species stress response" to distinguish handling-related changes from true decompensation. The category assignment grid may need adjustment, since a bird in lateral recumbency may be more critical than a dog with the same posture. ### How should I handle a client who refuses recommended triage interventions? Record the refusal verbatim in the client's own words where possible. Document that the risks and benefits were explained, the time of discussion, and the staff member who had the conversation. The triage sheet should have a dedicated section for "declined interventions" with checkboxes for each offered procedure. This protects the practice and the patient. The [AVMA practice resources](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools) address professional communication and documentation standards in clinical settings. If the refusal changes the triage category, recalculate and record the new category with the reason. Do not allow a refusal to delay care for other patients, and escalate to the attending veterinarian immediately if the patient's status appears unstable. ### Can the same triage sheet serve both first-opinion and referral hospital settings? Yes, with modifications. A referral hospital sheet should include fields for referring veterinarian contact details, prior diagnostics, and reason for transfer. First-opinion sheets need simpler category definitions and clearer instructions for stabilization before transport. The [WOAH terrestrial animal health standards](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) note that documentation requirements may differ between settings, particularly for notifiable diseases. If the same template is used, add a header field for "practice type" so audit data can be stratified. A shared core structure improves continuity when a patient is referred, since the receiving hospital can interpret the first-opinion sheet without retraining. ### How do I audit whether our triage sheet is actually improving patient outcomes? Select three measurable indicators and review them quarterly. Time from arrival to first veterinarian assessment is the most direct measure. Second, compare triage category assigned at the door with the final diagnosis or hospital admission status. Third, track documentation completeness, specifically the percentage of sheets with all vital sign fields completed. The [RECOVER Initiative](https://recoverinitiative.org/) provides a model for evidence-based protocol review that can be adapted to triage processes. Present the audit results at staff meetings and revise the sheet based on identified gaps. If the same error recurs, the problem is usually the form design, not staff performance. Change one field at a time and re-audit after two months. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Toxicology in Emergency Practice: Common Poisons and Diagnostic Approach](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/toxicology-emergency-practice-common-poisons-diagnostic-approach) * [Veterinary Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Post-Cardiac Arrest Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/veterinary-cardiopulmonary-resuscitation-post-cardiac-arrest-care) * [Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: A Practical Update](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/fluid-therapy-guidelines-dogs-cats-practical-update) ## References and Further Reading - [RECOVER Initiative Veterinary CPR Guidelines](https://recoverinitiative.org/). Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. - [AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2024-aaha-fluid-therapy-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/). AAHA. - [MSD Veterinary Manual, Professional Edition](https://www.msdvetmanual.com/). MSD Veterinary Manual. - [American Veterinary Medical Association Practice Resources](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools). American Veterinary Medical Association. - [WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/). WOAH. ## Related Articles - [Veterinary Patient Monitoring Sheet Design and Implementation](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/veterinary-patient-monitoring-sheet-design-implementation) - [Veterinary Triage Acuity Scoring Systems and Implementation](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/veterinary-triage-acuity-scoring-systems-implementation) - [Veterinary Triage Flowchart: From Triage Nurse to Veterinarian](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/veterinary-triage-flowchart-triage-nurse-veterinarian) - [RECOVER CPR Guidelines: Updates and Practical Implementation](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/recover-cpr-guidelines-updates-practical-implementation) - [Trauma Triage and Primary Survey in Small Animals](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-critical-care/trauma-triage-primary-survey-small-animals) > This article is educational professional reference material for veterinary audiences. It is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, individual clinical judgment, current product labeling, or applicable regulatory requirements.