General Pet Health
Recognize common pet-health issues early and know when to ask.
Purpose
Knowing the most common medical issues you may encounter in a pet care business is important to getting treatment quickly. This page is the front-line overview; specific conditions each have their own SOP article, linked below.
At a Glance
- New staff finish CPR certification within their first month of employment.
- If you don't feel comfortable assessing a dog's condition, talk to a manager. More information can be provided so you have what you need to identify when a dog needs immediate care and how to handle it.
- If there's any doubt about whether to take the dog to the vet, take them to the vet.
- Specific conditions each have their own SOP: Canine Cough, Food Refusal, and Vomiting among them. See Related Articles for the full list.
New-Hire Checklist
- Finish CPR certification within your first month of employment.
- Tell a manager if you don't feel ready to assess a dog's condition. More training is available.
- Default to the vet whenever there's real doubt. Don't wait to see if it resolves on its own.
Who to Ask
Talk to a manager any time you want more information on identifying when a dog needs immediate care, or on how to properly handle a situation yourself.
How often should staff check with a manager if unsure about a dog's condition?
Every time, not just during onboarding. Ask a manager whenever a situation is unclear, and when in doubt about whether a dog needs the vet, take them to the vet.