Vet Assistant Week 3

What is an ophthalmoscope used for?

To examine the internal structures of the eye.

What internal structures can an ophthalmoscope examine?

Lens, retina, and optic nerve.

What does an ophthalmoscope have that helps illuminate dye?

A light.

What is proparacaine?

A topical anesthetic for the eye.

What is the purpose of proparacaine?

To reduce pain and discomfort during examination of the eye.

What are the functions of tears listed in the lecture?

Clean and lubricate the eye, reduce bacteria, carry nutrients to the eye, and aid in healing.

What is a Schirmer Tear Test?

A test using a small strip to determine whether the eye has sufficient tear production.

How long should Schirmer Tear Test results be read after placing the strip?

1 minute.

What result on a Schirmer Tear Test indicates low tear production?

Less than 10 mm.

What condition does the Schirmer Tear Test test for?

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS).

What is Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca commonly called?

Dry Eye.

What is Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca?

Inadequate production of tears.

What type of disease is KCS according to the lecture?

An immune-mediated disease with a genetic link.

Is KCS a temporary or lifelong issue?

Lifelong.

What medications are used to treat KCS according to the lecture?

Cyclosporine and tacrolimus eye drops.

What do cyclosporine and tacrolimus eye drops help with?

Tear production.

What is a tonometer used to evaluate?

Intra-ocular pressure (IOP).

What is the normal IOP range in dogs?

12–25 mm Hg.

How should the IOP of the two eyes compare?

They should be similar in pressure.

What disease is a tonometer used to test for?

Glaucoma.

What is glaucoma associated with?

Increased intra-ocular pressure (IOP).

What are causes of increased IOP listed in the lecture?

Inherited predisposition, neoplasia, uveitis, and hemorrhage.

What is uveitis?

Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

What is a fluorescein dye test used to detect?

Defects in the cornea.

How does fluorescein dye help identify a corneal defect?

The dye stains defects in the cornea.

What is ulcerative keratitis also called?

Corneal ulcers.

What is ulcerative keratitis/corneal ulcer?

When the outer layer of the cornea is compromised, exposing the layers underneath.

What can cause a corneal ulcer?

Trauma, chemicals, foreign material, and diseases such as KCS.

How does a patient with a corneal ulcer typically present?

Squinting and pawing at the eye; the eye is typically red and swollen.

Are corneal ulcers painful?

Yes, they are painful.

What is a typical treatment for a corneal ulcer?

Eye drops, oral anti-inflammatories, and an e-collar worn at all times.

What is conjunctivitis?

Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eye.

How does a pet with conjunctivitis typically present?

Very red eyes with usually greenish discharge; it may be unilateral or bilateral.

What is the typical treatment for conjunctivitis?

Eye drops.

What is entropion?

A condition where the eyelids roll inward against the cornea.

What can happen if entropion is left untreated?

It can cause damage to the cornea.

What is the treatment for entropion?

Surgery.

What is “Cherry Eye”?

A condition where the third eyelid becomes more prominent and comes out of its normal position.

What causes Cherry Eye according to the lecture?

The cause is unknown, but certain breeds are predisposed.

What is the treatment for Cherry Eye?

Surgery.

What instrument does the doctor use to listen to a patient's heart during routine exams?

A stethoscope.

What additional tests may be requested if heart disease is suspected?

Chest X-ray/radiograph, blood pressure (BP), ECG/EKG, and echocardiogram (Echo).

How is an animal positioned for a chest X-ray when evaluating the heart?

On its right side (lateral); other views may be requested, including left lateral and VD.

What can a chest X-ray show?

Enlargement of the heart or other abnormalities in the chest.

What does ECG stand for?

Electrocardiogram.

What is an ECG?

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

What are ECG leads?

Connections between the patient and the ECG machine.

What are the ECG lead colors and positions?

White = right front
Green = right hind
Black = left front
Red = left hind

What are the three major waves/components identified on an ECG?

P wave, QRS complex, and T wave.

What does a normal ECG show regarding the R peaks?

Evenly spaced R peaks.

What should be present in a normal ECG?

P wave, QRS complex, and T wave.

What is sinus arrhythmia according to the lecture?

A rhythm where the spacing between the R peaks varies, usually normally as long as it follows breathing.

What are PVCs?

Premature ventricular contractions.

What does PVC stand for?

Premature Ventricular Contractions.

What are other abnormal rhythms listed in the lecture?

Atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and asystole.

What does the lecture list as treatment for ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia?

Drugs, shock, and CPR.

What is asystole?

No electrical conductivity to the heart muscle; the lecture describes this as a “flat line.”

What is an echocardiogram (Echo)?

An ultrasound of the heart.

What is used during an echocardiogram according to the lecture?

ECG leads and a Doppler.

What are the two Doppler modes listed?

Gray scale and color flow.

What does the doctor evaluate during a neurologic examination?

Posture and gait, muscular/skeletal systems, sensations, and reflexes.

What are common neurologic reflexes listed?

Patellar reflex (“knee jerk”) and conscious proprioception (CP).

What is conscious proprioception (CP)?

Awareness of body position and movement of body segments.

What are three breeds listed as predisposed to back problems?

Dachshunds, Corgis, and Pekingese.

What does IVDD stand for?

Intervertebral Disc Disease.

What is IVDD?

Degeneration and protrusion of an intervertebral disk that can compress the spinal cord, spinal nerve, and/or nerve root.

What can IVDD commonly cause in dogs?

Back pain and paralysis.

What are deciduous teeth?

Baby teeth that will be shed and replaced by adult teeth.

What are permanent teeth?

Adult teeth that replace deciduous teeth.

What is halitosis?

Foul odor from the mouth (“sewer breath”).

What does PDT stand for?

Periodontal Therapy.

What is periodontal therapy (PDT)?

Cleaning of the teeth.

What does ophthalmic mean?

Pertaining to the eye.

What does OD mean?

Right eye.

What does OS mean?

Left eye.

What does OU mean?

Both eyes.

What does neurologic mean?

Pertaining to the nervous system.

What does cardiac mean?

Pertaining to the heart.

KCS

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

IOP

Intra-ocular Pressure

ECG / EKG

Electrocardiogram

BP

Blood Pressure

PVC

Premature Ventricular Contractions

CP

Conscious Proprioception

IVDD

Intervertebral Disc Disease

PDT

Periodontal Therapy

OD

Right eye

OS

Left eye

OU

Both eyes

Echo

Echocardiogram

SID

Once daily; every 24 hours

BID

Twice daily; every 12 hours

TID

Three times daily; every 8 hours

QID

Four times daily; every 6 hours

SIG

Medication instructions/directions

Q 8 h

Every 8 hours

Q

Every

8 in Q 8 h

Number of hours

H in Q 8 h

Hours

Tab

Tablet