Basic Keeper Technology Test 2

Carl Linnaeus

Swedish botanist, developed a system of taxonomy

Binomial

two names

Trinomial

3 names, subspecies

Genus

Generic name

species

Specific name, distinguish from others in group

-idae

Family

-inae

Subfamily

-iformes

Orders (birds)

-i, -ii, or -ianna

named after a man

-ae or -iae

named after a woman

Tautonym

Genus and species name are the same (i.e. Gorilla gorilla)

Why ID animals?

You can't care or it if you don't know what it is.

How do you ID species?

• Size/shape/physical attributes
• Markings
• Feeding strategy/diet
• Habitat
• Natural History

Why can't you use behavior to ID an animal?

Behavior can change and lead to incorrect ID

How do you ID individuals? (8)

• Gender
• Tags
• Bands
• Notching (ear or scute)
• Tattoo
• Collar
• PIT tag/Microchip/Transponder
• Markings

What makes a good identifier?

• Unique
• Permanent
• Legible at a distance
• Humane
• Inconspicuous
• Fast and easy to use

Example of Passive ID

ID by Zebra stripes/markings

Which sides are males and females banded on

M=right, F=left

What is the digit number order?

Thumbs are always 1

Ear notching numbers

Right ear=10, 20, 40, 70
Left Ear=1, 2, 4, 7

Proximal - Distal

Proximal is always closer to the body
Distal is furthur (distance) from the body

Cranial - Caudal

Cranial is the head
Caudal is the rear

Dorsal - Ventral

Dorsal is the back
Ventral is the under side

Front

Anterior
Cephalic

Rear

Posterior
Caudal

Back

Dorsal

Belly

Ventral
Sternal

Nose

Rostral

Head

Cranial

Left Side

Lateral
Sinister

Right Side

Lateral
Dexter

Middle line

Medial

Close to body

Proximal

Farthest from body

Distal

In between (location on body)

Intermediate

On outside of structure

Superficial

Inside the structure

Deep

Same side of body

Ipsilateral

Opposite side of body

Contralateral

Reactive Care

Deal with situation as it arises

Examples where reactive care is used

• Emergency
• Birth
• Onset of Illness
• Injury

Proactive Care

Acting before a situation becomes a concern

Examples where proactive care is used

• Preventative care
• Physical exam
• Catch diseases or medical problems before they become a larger issue

How do you affect animal health on a daily basis?

• Husbandry (clean)
• Diet
• Fresh water
• Shelter (heat, shade)
• Remove toxic plants
• Enrichment/Browse

How do you report abnormalities?

Be objective, share only the facts

Clinical signs of illness

• Change in behavior
• Change in defication/urination
• Change in appearance
• Change in mobility
• Blood, mucous, discharge, coughing, sneezing

As issues occur how do you report?

• Call ZM
• Call zoo Curator
• Data cards
• Daily report
• other keepers (u/d in records and on rounds)

What is on a routine physical exam?

• Overall check
• Confirm ID
• Blood collection
• Weight
• Vaccines
• Eyes, ears, oral
• Repro exam
• Rectal
• Temp.
• Heart and Respirtory Rate

Additional on physical exam

• Dental
• Urine
• Culture
• Contraception
• Tissue collection
• Rads/Ultrasound
• Minor surgery

3 Things needed for disease to spread

• Disease
• Host (must be susceptable)
• Environment (must support host and pathogen)

How to break the disease cycle

Wash your hands!
Good hygiene

Zoonotic disease

disease with the potential to spread between humans and non-human animals

Types of Infectious disease

• Bacterial
• Viral
• Fungal
• Parasites
• Prions

Disease spread

• Aerosol
• Direct contact
• Animal to animal
• Vector
• Ingest
• Object

Prevention

• Hygiene (wash hands)
• Proper husbandry
• PPE
• Managing pests
• Physical exams
• Vaccination
• Quarantine
• Necropsy

Pre-ship Exam

• AZA recommendation
• Facility request
• Govt. requirement (Federal and State)
• Provides a baseline
• AAZK Animal Transfer Form

Quarentine

30-60 days
90+ days for reptiles

What to look for during quarentine?

• Acclimating to surroundings
• Diet consumption (transition/diet change)
• Overall behavior
• Potential disease issue
• Parasite exam

Necropsy

• Autopsy
• Determine cause of death
• Protection for other animals in zoo, staff, public
• Contribute to knowledge of disease processes
• sampling for studies
• Banking samples for future study or diagnostics

Operant conditioning

• training for medical procedures