PSI CPPS Pet Sitter Study Guide

Flashcards covering canine and feline behavior, anatomy, emergency first aid, diseases, sanitation, and business operations based on the PSI CPPS Study Guide.

How is pet sitting defined?

The act of caring for a pet in its own home while the owner is away.

What is the 'wheelbarrow method' for breaking up a dog fight?

Two people each grab the hind legs of the fighting dogs, lift them off the ground, and walk backwards to pull the dogs apart, forcing the dogs to stand on their front legs.

What is the most common cause of destructive behavior in dogs according to the transcript?

Lack of exercise.

Why is it important to increase water intake for dogs with certain medical conditions?

Water is essential for biological functions; intake can be increased by adding canned food, soaking dry food, or using different bowl shapes.

What organization provides the nutritional adequacy statement found on pet food labels?

Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

What is the normal rectal temperature range for an adult dog?

$100-102.5\,^\circ\text{F}$.

How many chromosomes do dogs have?

$78$ chromosomes (or $39$ pairs).

Compare the hearing range of dogs to humans.

Dogs can register sounds of $35,000$ vibrations per second, while humans register $20,000$ vibrations per second.

Describe the transition of a dog's teeth from puppyhood to adulthood.

Dogs have $28$ baby (deciduous) teeth by $6-8$ weeks old, which are replaced by $42$ adult teeth by age $6-7$ months.

What is the function of the liver in dogs?

It has six lobes and is responsible for producing bile, metabolizing protein and carbohydrates, excreting toxins, and manufacturing blood-clotting agents.

What is 'scooting' in dogs usually a sign of?

Backed-up or infected anal glands.

Describe the three stages of the female dog's heat cycle.

1. Proestrus (swelling and bloody discharge, lasts $9$ days); 2. Estrus (receptive to male, lasts $3-11$ days); 3. Diestrus (final stage, lasts $60-90$ days).

What is the normal gestation period for a dog?

$63$ days from the time of conception.

When is the best 'critical period' for a puppy to form human-dog relationships?

Between $7$ and $12$ weeks of age.

What are the characteristics of a Score 3–4 on the canine stool scale?

The optimal baseline: stool is firm, moist, holds its log-like shape when picked up, and leaves no residue.

What does it mean that cats are 'obligate carnivores'?

They must have a source of animal protein in their diet because they cannot synthesize certain nutrients, like vitamin A, from plant sources.

What is the risk of feeding raw food to cats?

The primary concerns are food safety (harmful pathogens) and nutritional inadequacy (deficiency in essential nutrients).

What amino acid do cats have a unique requirement for because they use protein for energy?

Taurine.

What is 'High-Rise Syndrome' in cats?

Severe trauma injuries (shattered jaws, punctured lungs, broken limbs) resulting from a cat falling from an elevated height, often due to 'animal hypnosis'.

Define the 'Terminal Velocity' quirk regarding cats falling.

Cats falling from $5-7$ stories often suffer worse injuries than those from $9$ or more stories because it takes about $5$ stories to reach terminal velocity, at which point the cat relaxes and spreads its body to distribute impact.

What are the three clinical phases of Rabies?

1. Prodromal Phase (behavior changes); 2. Furious Phase (extreme aggression); 3. Paralytic or 'Dumb' Phase (inability to swallow, foaming at mouth, death).

How is Ringworm diagnosed by a veterinarian?

Using a Wood's Lamp (ultraviolet light), as certain species of ringworm will glow bright fluorescent green.

What is the 'Golden Rule' of canine and feline first aid?

Always ensure the wound is clean and bleeding is controlled before final bandaging.

What is the target heart rate for small dogs and cats?

$90-220$ beats per minute.

What is the CPR compression-to-breath ratio for pets?

$30$ compressions to $2$ breaths at a rate of $100-120$ compressions per minute.

Define Zoonotic Disease.

An infectious disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Why should you avoid using ammonia or vinegar to clean pet urine stains?

Ammonia smells similar to urine, which acts as a chemical trigger for the pet to 'reinforce' its scent mark on that spot.

What is the 'Contact Time' on a disinfectant label?

The exact amount of time the surface must remain visibly wet with the chemical to successfully kill pathogens (often $5-10$ minutes).

What is the difference between Burnout and Compassion Fatigue?

Burnout is exhaustion caused by environmental/workplace stressors (overwork); Compassion Fatigue is emotional exhaustion from chronic stress of caring for sick or traumatized animals.

What is the recommended bleach-to-water ratio for disinfecting severe pathogens like Parvovirus?

$1:32$ ratio (roughly $\frac{1}{2}$ cup bleach per gallon of water).

What are the 'Core Vaccines' mentioned for dogs?

Distemper, Parvovirus, and Rabies.

Name five foods that are highly toxic to dogs.

Chocolate, Xylitol (Birch Sugar), Grapes/Raisins, Onions/Garlic, and Macadamia Nuts.

What is the 'two-finger rule' for collar fitting?

You should only be able to fit two fingers flat under a properly adjusted collar; it is too loose if it can slip over the dog's ears.

What should a pet sitter do if a pet passes away during an assignment?

Confirm death, contact the primary veterinarian or emergency clinic, contact the client (or emergency contact), and document the timeline and symptoms.

Differentiate between a business Employee (W-2) and an Independent Contractor (IC).

You control the work methods, equipment, and schedule of an Employee; an IC operates their own business, uses their own tools, and can decline assignments.