Post on 04-Jan-2016
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?