Nursing Dogs and Cats 1

Definition of Nursing

Scientific application of principles of care related to prevention of illness and care during illness

First Freedom of Animal Welfare

Freedom from hunger/thirst (food and water when necessary)

Second Freedom of Animal Welfare

Freedom from discomfort (clean, comfortable, and stress free)

Third Freedom of Animal Welfare

Freedom from pain, injury, disease (rapid diagnosis and treatment, relief of suffering)

Fourth Freedom of Animal Welfare

Freedom to express normal behavior (proper exercise, social interaction, grooming)

Fifth Freedom of Animal Welfare

Freedom from fear and distress (humane treatment)

Define Problem

Something that needs a diagnosis and therapy

Define Triage

Sort patients from worst problem to least

Is a problem the same as an abnormality?

No

Steps of Nursing Process

Problem solving, Interpretation, Plan implementation, and evaluate response

What does POVMR format involve?

SOAP

Minimal Components of a Daily Physical

Mental status (BAR, etc.), Weight, Vitals, Output (urine, fecal, etc.)

Factors of weight

hydration and nutrition

Hypothermia

low temperature

Causes of hypothermia

shock, anesthesia, environment, disease

how to treat hypothermia

warm them up slowly, use something warm (one on top, one underneath), stop when they reach 100F (37.7 C) 

Hyperthermia

high temperature

causes of hyperthermia

reset thermoregulation (fever), environment, stress, seizure, excitement

How to treat hyperthermia

cool (not cold) water & fans, avoid ice baths & alcohol, stop when they reach 104F (40 C)

Sinus Rhythm

a constant, steady beat that is the same cadences that originates in the SA node

Hypokinetic

weak pulse

Normokinetic

normal pulse

Hyperkinetic

strong pulse

What do crackles mean

fluid

what do wheezes mean

narrowed airways

how to know if a problem is stertor (exhale problems)

snoring/snort

How to know if problem is stridor (inhale problems)

inspiratory wheeze

how much urine should a patient output

1-2 ml/kg/hr (10kg dog: 10-20 ml)

Dyschezia

painful defecation

Tenesmus

straining to defecate

difference between vomiting and regurgitation

vomiting- active gastric process; regurgitation- back flow, no gastric movement

myiasis

maggots

Reasons for bathing

remove debris, therapy (DVM approval)

how to protect eyes and ears during bath

sterile ointment in eyes and cotton plug in ears

How to do a thorough rinse

rinse until you think you’re good and then rinse again (especially with long hair)

What should you do before trimming/shaving

get owner permission after explaining your reasons

How to prevent trauma when trimming/shaving

make sure clippers are properly adjusted

Indications for trimming/shaving

surgery, skin trauma, disease, matting, cleaning

Indications for nail trimming

excessive length, nails inflict wounds, nails cause property damage

when should you cut the quick

when it extends past the paw pad

how should you cut dark nails

with serial cuts, go until nail changes appearance

Where are the anal sacs located

4:00 & 8:00

anal sac complications

failure to empty (inspissated- dries out), abscessation (rupture)

expressing anal sacs externally

cover opening, dorsomedial digital pressure (push in and squeeze up), incomplete emptying

expressing anal sacs internally

gloved finger, rectal insertion (lubricate), cover duct openings, finger/thumb pressure (dorsomedial)

treatment for abscess

hot compress, drainage, maybe antibiotic

internal medication for abscess

ductal catheterization, flush, medication

Otitis externa

external ear inflammation

Otitis media

middle ear inflammation

Predisposing factors for ear problems

pendulous pinna (hanging ears), cerumen (earwax), hair, moisture

biologic samples for ears

cytology, bacteriology

how to remove hair in ear

grab it and pull it out, either with forceps or your fingers

flushing ears

use a solution (saline is safest) and use ‘slosh n shake’ method, DVM can deep clean if necessary

complicating factors of feeding

hospitalization, disease, diet changes

maintain positive energy

caloric intake > metabolic need

Resting Energy Requirement (RER)

depends on size of the animal

< 2kg- 70(weight kg)^0.75=kcal/day

> 2 kg (30Xweight kg)+70=kcal/day

Metabolic Energy Requirement (MER)

to keep current weight

cage rest: RER X 1.1

surgery, trauma, cancer, sepsis: RER X 1.2-1.5

Severe burn, head trauma, ventilator: RER X 1.7-2.0

Feeding Routes

enteral- oral, tubes; parental (PN)(TPN)- intravenous (jugular)

Oral

voluntary, coaxed, forced

Requirements for parental

3 days min, 24hr monitoring, sterile mixture

Parental complications

infection, sepsis