Routine animal care

Michael Lavoie, B.S.Middlesex Community College

Veterinary Assistant ProgramMarch 2012

Animal Anatomy

If an animal or organ is sliced lengthwise this section is called a longitudinal or sagittal section. This is sometimes abbreviated to LS.

If the section is sliced crosswise it is called a transverse or cross section. This is sometimes abbreviated to TS or XS

Animal Anatomy: Directional terms

Dorsal: nearer the back of the animal thanExample: the backbone is dorsal to the belly

Ventral: nearer the belly of the animal thanExample: the breast bone is ventral to the heart

Cranial or anterior: nearer to the skull thanExample: the diaphragm is cranial to the stomach

Caudal or posterior: nearer to the tail thenExample: the ribs are caudal to the neck

Proximal: closer to the body than (only used when talking about limbs)Example: the shoulder is proximal to the elbow

Distal: further from the body than (only used when talking about limbsExample: the ankle is distal to the knee

Medial: nearer to the midline thanExample: the bladder is medial to the hips

Lateral: further from the midline thanExample: the ribs are lateral to the lungs

Rostral: towards the muzzleExample: there are more grey hairs on the rostral part

of the headPalmar: The walking surface of the front of the paw

Example: there is a small cut on the left palmar surface

Plantar: walking surface of the back of the pawExample: the pads are on the plantar part of the foot

Name the Breed

Name the breed

Name the breed

Name the breed

Name the breed

Name the breed

Name the breed

Communication

Interpersonal communicationAny form of message and response between

two or more peopleWrittenVerbalBody language

Use of mannerisms and gestures that tell how a person feels

Way of passing along information from one person to another or a group of people

The process of communication

5 essential componentsSender- the person trying to relay an idea or messageMessage- the idea or messageReceiver- the person who is sent the idea or messageChannel- chosen route of communication

Verbal, nonverbal, writtenFeedback- receiver’s return message

Continued until the conversation is complete

Verbal Communication

Spoken words used between 2 or more people to form an understanding

Most common form of communication

Important to speak well to other people

Tape recorders, note taking

Nonverbal communications

Interaction between people without the use of spoken words

Body language and physical expressionsUsed commonlyHelpful when dealing with upset, angry, or

grieving clientsSmiling, frowning, glaring, shrugging shouldersUse positive body language to smooth the

process

Positive body language gestures

Stand up straight with a relaxed positionHold arms at side or gently folded in front of

bodySpeak with a moderate voice and clear toneFace the individual and keep eye contactForm a comfort zone (1 arms length)Smile and keep a relaxed facial expressionDress professionally and wear a name tagPractice good hygiene

Appropriate communication skills

Qualities that will enhance positive routes of communication

Courtesy KindnessPatienceTactfulnessSympathyEmpathy

Courtesy

Putting someone else’s needs and concerns before your own

Sharing, giving, cooperationTreat all people with respect and

professionalismHelping a client to their carCarrying a bag of dog or cat foodHold a doorWalk someone’s dog into an exam room

Kindness

CharacteristicEmplifies being helpful, understanding

and working in a friendly mannerTreat client in the manner you wish to be

treated by othersMake a phone call for someoneAsk if you can helpDraw a picture of how you do something

Patience

Trait that demonstrates calm demeanor in all situations without negative complaints

May need practiceSome patients and clients will require

more patience then othersRepeat information for someone hard of

hearingWalk an elderly client to the carOffer children coloring books

Tactfulness

CharacteristicDoing and saying the appropriate things at

the correct timeAllows maintenance of good relations with

othersInvolves thinking and planning before

speaking and saying something that may be offensive to another person

Sympathy

Share feelings with others in a time of sadness

Write a sympathy note to a clientSend flowers to a staff member who is

sickSay you are sorry to a client who lost a

pet

Empathy

Being able to understand another’s feelings at a particular time

To tell someone how you feel when putting an animal to sleep

Can be very difficult

Interacting with people

speakingListeningObservation of others

Allows for good communication to occur

Speech communication/speaking

Can be frustratingRequired practice and experienceShow respectTrait each person as an individual

How to show respect

Greet clients/peopleTreat everyone equally with respect and honestyAddress people with professionalismTalk slowly and patiently when explaining

informationKeep the facility neat, clean and comfortableOffer assistance to everyone who appears to

need helpSmile

Listening

Essential skillTrain yourself to focus on what is being saidHear exactly what is being said and think about the

words to clearly understand the main pointLook at the person’s body languahe to determine their

moodKnow when not to speak and allow people to finish their

thoughtsTake time to understand what is being said and think

about the appropriate responseSilenceRepeat back how you understand it

Observation

Paying attention to a person’s body language and speech

Can reveal nonverbal communicationBehavior recognized without speakingAware or not awareTells us how a person feels

Nonverbal communication

FrowningGlaringSmilingShaking headHeavy sighingSlouchingNervous tapping of fingersArms foldedPacing

Difficult Clients

Unfortunate occasionsRead a person’s body languageNote when becoming upsetRemain calm during difficult situationsNo exact methodStart by asking what the problem or situation

may beCollect your thoughts and think of a plan of

action

Some things to consider

Keep a positive and assertive attitudeCourtesy and respectCommunicate invoice and procedure costs to clientsExplain all procedures and ask if there are any questionsBe helpfulStay calm and relaxedRemain objective and listenTalk in private or with a witnessDo not place blameDo not argue or speak negatively

Telephone

Usually the main line of communication in a veterinary facility

Can make a good or bad impressionBe comfortable and knowledgeable in telephone

communication skillsAnswer phone promptlySpeak pleasantly and greet the called Identify where they are calling Identify yourselfGive the caller your full attention and use polite and

simple languageThank the caller and say goodbye

Telephone- continued

Always ask the called if you may place the caller on hold

Wait for a responseMake sure the client doesn’t have an

emergency or need immediate assitanceWatch the time on hold1 minute on hold feels like 10 minutes!

Grief

Emotion that people feel after the have lost a pet or loved one

Can affect the veterinary teamHuman-animal bondThink of their pets as children or part of

the familyGrief is inevitablePets make people happy

Grief

Shock- emotion of a sudden death of a petDenial- when a person will not accept a pet’s

death right awayBargaining- attempt to resolve the pet’s problem

by any means possibleAcceptance- understand and accept the pet has

passed awayMay become angry, sad, depressed, feel guilty

Offer helpful qualities

Humane Euthanasia

Process of humanely ending an animal’s lifeHumane- describes what is considered

acceptable by people in regards to an animal’s physical, mental and emotional well being

A humane way to end an animal’s sufferingCan be a difficult decision

Special exam room?

Communication summary

A necessityMust know how to get a message

delivered clearly and with understandingListen effectivelyBe respectful and courteousUse and interpret body languageMakes for a much more successful and

enjoyable veterinary environment

Questions?

Sanitation

Process of keeping an area clean and neat

Includes appearance and odor controlDepends on the location within the facility,

purpose of the area, type of products/chemicals used

Cleaning

Process of physically removing all visible signs of dirt and organic matterFeces, hair, blood

Most common method of sanitary controlUse of chemical with a cleaning agentMay include dusting, physical activity

Your role

Keep the facility cleanKeep the animals cleanMaintain equipmentLawn careCage and run disinfectionAnimal bathing and groomingBe familiar with your clinic’s cleaning and

disinfecting methods and chemicals available for use

A few tips

Work from the top to the bottomWork from the back of the space toward

the door or entranceUse beds, towels, newspaper to keep the

animals clean“clean as you go”

Minimize the spread of disease

To help minimize the spread of disease

Limit the areas where animals eliminateRemove uneaten foodRoutinely clean and change bedding in cagesChang clothing if contaminatedChange and clean water sourcesUse proper odor controlClean as you goWipe down doors and wallsWear glovesTreat animals in isolation last

Areas to clean

Counter topsExam tablesWallsDoor handlesTelephonesLab areaScalesFloorsCages/runsComputer keyboards

Cage or run cleaning

Remove all bedding, toys and bowlsPlace dirty bedding in laundry areaDisinfect all bowls and toysRemove all organic material and discard

properlyWash all sides of the cage or run walls (door,

latches, grates) with properly diluted disinfectantAllow the disinfectant to sit for an allotted

contact time (read label)Dry all items from top to bottom

Isolation ward

Separate housing for contagious patientsGroup of similar patients its own medical supplies, equipments,

disinfectants and cleansersItems should not be removedKeep laundry and bedding separateStaff wears gloves, hair covers, face masks and

shoe coversProper disposal requiredDesignated personnel

Isolation- continued

Separate air flowKeep signs on doors and cages dealing with the

types of contagious diseases of the patients housed in the ward

Physically separate areasProper and effective handwashingParvovirusKennel coughDistemperFeline upper respiratory tract infection

Patient care- feeding

NPO- no food or water by mouthDetermine the appropriate dietSome specialized veterinary dietsNote diet on chartEncourage animals to eatConsistency of foodAdd water, “gravy” chicken broth, heat in

microwave

Patient care- force feeding

Place the food in the animals mouth and make it swallow

Only if necessaryHand feedingSyringe feedingLiquifyAllow the patient to swallow- avoid aspirationFeed slowly and only as directed by the

technician or veterinarian

Nasogastric tube

Tube placed into the stomach used to feed an animal

Performed by DVM or techinicanNostril pharynx esophagus stomachLiquified foodsMeet patient’s caloric needs- do the mathStart slowly and gradually increase volumeMonitor patient closely

Nasogastric tubes

Patient care- watering

Important/ essential nutrientNPODehydrationKeep available in adequate amounts if

allowedKeep it clean and fresh

Patient care- grooming

Care of animal’s external bodyHair coatEarsNailsAnal glandsProfessional groomerImprove the well being of the patient

Comfort, overall health

Grooming- continued

Brushing- the act of cleaning the hair coat using a soft brush, removes dead hair and dirt

Combing- act of cleaning the hair with a thin comb, helps remove tangles, dirt, debris, foreign material and mats Important before a bath

Work at the back of the body and move forwardBrush in the direction of the hair coat

Grooming- mats

Areas of hair that are interwoven together and form a large clump

Can be uncomfortableMay cause soresMat splitter, use with cautionUse clippers and clipper bladesBe patientAsk for permissionNot the condition of the skin under the mat

Patient care- comfort

Keep well paddedUse pee padsUse clean laundryMonitor oftenRemove organic materialRemove feces and excess food

Patient care- urine scald

Can be a serious problemDown dogs, orthopedic procedures,

geriatric patients, sedated patients“burns” the skinTail wrapsSoothing bathsFrequent bedding changesCan be labor intensive

Questions?