Veterinary Assistant Flashcards

What is the minimum age a dog/cat should be in order to administer a rabies vaccine?

12 weeks of age.

What are the clinical signs of a rabies positive patient? 14 symptoms.

Lethargy, abnormal behavior, fever, vomiting, anorexia, ataxia (loss of balance, muscle control caused by damage/disfunction in the nervous system), weakness, self mutilation, paralysis, seizures, difficulty swallowing, excessive salvation, aggression and eye control issues.

What are the two types of nerve dysfunctions that can occur in rabies positive patients and what specifically do they effect?

Cerebral and cranial nerve dysfunctions.

Cerebral dysfunction: severe brain inflammation. Effects cognitive processing, impulse control, sensory integration and motor commands.

Cranial dysfunction: effects the muscles, sensations of the face, eyes, mouth and throat.

Is the patient considered immunized after 28 days after the initial rabies vaccine, even if it was overdue?

Yes.

How is rabies contracted and what are the four Vector species that are common carriers?

it’s contracted primarily through bites and scratches in infected animals.

1. Foxes

2. Skunks

3. Bats

4. Raccoons

How long should a patient be quarantined for if bitten or scratched by a dog not rabies vaccinated?

10 day quarantine to monitor for symptoms.

How long should you quarantine your pet for if it was exposed to a potentially rabid animal and is currently vaccinated (or overdue but previously vaccinated with documentation).

45 day quarantine to monitor for symptoms.

What to do if a stray animal bites/scratches your pet?

Contact animal control. Euthanize the stray animal and test the animal for rabies, then quarantine your animal for 45 days.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease. What does this mean?

A zoonotic disease is any of a group of diseases that can be transmitted to humans by nonhuman vertebrate animals, such as mammals, birds, etc.

What is canine distemper, is it a core vaccine and what are the symptoms?

Canine distemper is core vaccine and is a highly infectious, systemic viral disease. Not zoonotic.

Affects the respiratory tract causing pneumonia and nasal discharge. Causes lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and GI symptoms.

What is the minimum age a dog can be to receive the distemper vaccine?

6 weeks old with at least two boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.

What are some neurological signs that canine distemper causes?

Muscle twitching and focal/generalized seizures.

How is canine distemper transmitted?

Through aerosol droplet secretions from infected animals.

Is the Lepto vaccine a core vaccine? What is Leptospirosis and what does it affect?

The Lepto vaccine is a core vaccine.

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonotic bacterial disease. Affects kidneys and livers causing acute to severe damage.

What is the minimum age requirement for a pet to be given the Lepto vaccine?

10 weeks old with two boosters 3-4 weeks apart.

How is leptospirosis contracted?

Leptospirosis is contracted by infected urine coming into contact with mucus membranes. By a pet drinking an infected puddle of water, playing in soil with open wounds or sleeping in bedding by an infected animal.

What are the common carriers of leptospirosis?

Raccoons, skunks, opossums, rats, pigs and cows.

What are the symptoms caused from being leptospirosis positive?

Fever, lethargy and reduced appetite.

Progresses into…

V+, dehydration, back pain from kidney inflammation and jaundice.

What is the lyme vaccine and is it a core vaccine?

The Lyme vaccine is a non core vaccine and is recommended by a DVM based on your region and if you live in or travel to wooded areas/tick habitats.

What causes Lyme disease in dogs and what are the common symptoms?

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected deer tick.

Common symptoms include:

Fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes and shifting lameness.

What is the minimum age requirement for an initial Lyme vaccine?

9 weeks old with two boosters. One is given 3-4 weeks after the initial dose with the second booster being given 3-4 weeks after that.

What is a Bordetella vaccine and is it a core vaccine?

The Bordetella vaccine protects against kennel cough in dogs and it is a non core vaccine.

What is the minimum age a dog can be in order to get the Bodetella TM vaccine?

Minimum of 7 weeks old and booster annually or every 6 months as required by boarding/grooming.

What is Bordetella and what are some common places for dogs to get infected?

Bordetella is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads quickly between dogs only.

Common areas where dogs can get infected are at shelters, doggy daycare, grooming, dog parks, etc.

What are the symptoms of kennel cough?

Common symptoms of kennel cough in dogs include:

Dry “honking” cough, sneezing, hacking, eye or nasal discharge, fever, congestion, lethargy and decreased appetite.

What can kennel cough progress into if left untreated for a period of time?

Can progress into pneumonia, especially in weaker patients such as puppies or senior dogs. Weakens the immune system leaving animals susceptible to other pathogens. Can lead to long term respiratory complications.

Is a rabies vaccine a core vaccine for cats, how it is contracted and what are the symptoms?

A rabies vaccine is a core vaccine for cats. Rabies is contracted through the bite or a scratch from an infected animal.

The symptoms for rabies positive cats include.

Fever spikes, erratic behavior, temperament changes, excessive drooling, pupil dilation, seeking solitude, loss of appetite, scratching at the bite or scratch wound, wandering aimlessly around, hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli, aggressive or violent behavior, irritability, snapping at objects that are not there, disorientation, seizures, growling, loss of muscle coordination, foaming at the mouth, weakness, labored breathing, respiratory failure and death.

What is the FVRCP vaccine for cats and is it a core vaccine?

The FVRCP vaccine for cats is three in one vaccine targeting feline rhinotracheitis virus/herpes virus, feline panleukopenia (parvovirus) and feline calicivirus.

Yes this is a core vaccine.

What is the minimum age a cat can be in order to administer the first FVRCP vaccine?

6 weeks old with at least two boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old.

What is feline rhinotracheitis and what are the symptoms?

Feline rhinotracheitis is a severe respiratory infection.

Common symptoms include:

Sneezing, nasal congestion or discharge and conjunctivitis.

If untreated progresses into:

Pneumonia and oral ulcerations

Even after recovery the virus can enter a latency period in the nerves. During a time of stress the virus can reactivate showing the symptoms once again even if the cat has not been re-exposed.

What is feline panleukopenia and what are the symptoms?

Feline panleukopenia a.k.a. feline parvovirus is a highly infectious disease with a high mortality rate in kittens especially.

Common symptoms include:

Decreased energy and decreased appetite.

Can progress into:

Vomiting, diarrhea and losing white blood cells.

If left untreated, can make the cat susceptible to other pathogens.

What is feline calicivirus and what are the symptoms?

Feline calicivirus encompasses several viral strains that cause upper respiratory infections.

Common symptoms include:

Sneezing, nasal discharge and oral ulcerations.

Worsening symptoms include:

Hair loss, crusting on other parts of the body, hepatitis and death.

This respiratory infection is associated with chronic gingivitis and stomatitis. Highly painful inflammation of the gums.

What is the FeLV vaccine protect against and is it a core vaccine?

The FeLV vaccine protects against feline leukemia virus and it is a core vaccine.

What is the minimum age a cat should be in order to get the FeLV vaccine?

10 weeks old with 2 boosters every 3-4 weeks apart. This can only be done after a negative FeLV test.

How is feline leukemia virus transmitted and what are the symptoms?

The feline leukemia virus is transmitted primarily through saliva but is also transmitted through urine and feces for example it can occur through close contact with another cat that could also be sharing the same food and water bowls or grooming each other, etc.

Common symptoms include:

Appetite loss, progressive weight loss, persistent fever, pale gums or other pale mucus membranes (sign of anemia), enlarged lymph nodes and reoccurring infections including upper respiratory infections.

If untreated can progress into:

Lymphoma, anemia and immunosuppression.

If untreated for a long period of time their immune system is more susceptible to contracting a secondary disease or infection.

What kind of cats are more susceptible to getting feline leukemia?

Cats that go outside on a normal basis and cats that have housemates.

Is the feline bordetella vaccine a core vaccine?

The feline bordetella vaccine is not a core vaccine.

What is feline bordetellosis, what is it caused by and what does it effect?

Feline bordetellosis is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease in cats that can also be spread through direct and indirect contact with dogs.

It is caused by a bacteria (bordetella bronchiseptica) that causes inflammation in the trachea and bronchi. It can be fatal to kittens (fatal bronchopneumonia).

How is feline bordetellosis spread and what are the symptoms?

Feline bordetellosis is spread by direct and indirect contact with dogs and cats that are infected. This can be done by sharing food/water bowls, coughing, sneezing and/or being in the same environment as an infected animal.

The symptoms of feline bordetellosis include:

Retching, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, inappetence, fever, lethargy and pneumonia.

What is the minimum age a cat can be vaccinated for the feline bordetella vaccine?

The minimum age is 8 weeks old.

Is the feline chlamydia vaccine a core vaccine?

The feline chlamydia vaccine is not a core vaccine.

What is the minimum age a cat should be in order to get the feline chlamydia vaccine?

6-8 weeks old with one booster 3-4 weeks after.

What is feline chlamydia?

Feline chlamydia (aka feline chlamydophila felis) is a bacterial infection that causes severe conjunctivitis and upper respiratory infections.

What types of cats are more susceptible to contracting feline chlamydia?

Cats that are in multi-cat households/shelters or outdoor cats. Cats that remain indoors are less susceptible contracting the infection.

What are the symptoms of feline chlamydia?

Symptoms include eye and nasal discharge, lethargy and decreased appetite.

What is used to treat feline chlamydia?

Depending on the severity of the case but in the worst case scenario, a 4 week course of Doxycycline (antibiotics) will be given orally or Clavamox depending on if the patient cannot take Doxycycline.

If there is eye discharge or inflammation the topical Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment (aka Terramycin) would be given to the patient.

Is FIV a core vaccine?

The FIV vaccine is not a core vaccine.

What is the FIV vaccine?

The feline immunodeficiency virus is a slow acting retro virus that is contracted mainly through deep bite wounds from fighting.

If a patient is positive for FIV what happens to their body? What is the management for this?

It weakens the immune system over time and there is no cure for the virus only management.

Management consists of keeping the cat in the house, 1-2 yearly exams to check blood and urine levels. Avoiding raw food to prevent any food borne illnesses

What are the symptoms of FIV?

Fever, lethargy, poor appetite, enlarged lymph nodes.

As the virus replicates in the white blood cells and the immune system deteriorates other symptoms become more prominent.

Gum disease, weight loss, frequent infections, digestive issues, ocular disorders, behavioral/neurological changes and tumors/cancer.

What is Dasuquin Advanced for dogs and what does it treat?

It’s a Veterinarian exclusive joint health supplement for dogs made by Nutramax Laboratories.

Made with partially hydrolyzed eggshell membranes. That provide additional support to joints adding quick support to joint comfort.

Supports cartilage matrix production and adds antioxidant support.

Thickens joint fluid.

What is the dosing and administration of Dasuquin Advanced for dogs? Give with or without food?

Less than 10lbs: 1 chew SID

10-29lb dogs: 1 chew SID

30-59lb dogs: 2 chew SID

60-120lb dogs: 2 chew SID

Maintain this duration for 4-6 weeks for the loading dose period. After the loading dose:

Less than 10lbs: 1 EOD

10-29lbs: 1 EOD

30-59lbs: 1 SID

60-120lbs: 1SID

This chewable/tablet can be given with or without food. If the pet has a sensitive stomach, recommend to give with food.

What is Welacton Advanced OMEGA Fish oil?

The number one veterinarian recommended omega-3 supplement brand and is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA and ETA.

What does Welactin Advanced Omega 3 Supplement support in a dogs body?

Supports muscular skeletal function; improves joint function, improves kidney health and renal function, brain/vision and nervous system/trainability, supports skin and coat health, supports normal heart rhythm and improves the immune system.

What are the steps to run a patient sample in the IDEXX ProCyte Dx?

Create a form in Instinct, select the patient name on the ProCyte machine, confirm patient info and sample type, selfie ProCyte Dx icon at bottom of screen then select run, place the appropriate tube adapter in the sample drawer, gently invert tube 10x in the anticoagulant tube, place in sample in the drawer and press start.

What type of blood sample does the ProCyte Dx analyzer run and what type of tube is only used?

Whole blood samples only (CBC tests) and the purple top anti-coagulant tube.

How to use the SediVue Dx Urine Sediment Analyzer?

Invert urine tube 10x gently, use SediVue pipette to aspirate a sample from the bottom 1/3 of sample tube, place pipette tip in SediVue cartridge fill port, press start.