Veterinary Geriatric, Large Animal, Diagnostic Sampling, Pain Management, and Neonatal Care

Vocabulary flashcards covering geriatric care, large animal medication administration, diagnostic sampling techniques, pain management, and neonatal care.

Geriatrics

The study of health and disease in later life.

Senescence

The condition or process of deterioration with age.

Aging Process

Decline in reserves and strength, as well as other body system changes, which increase the likelihood of disease development.

Geriatric Medicine

Branch of medicine dealing with the problems and diseases of old age.

Hospice Care (Geriatric)

Facility or program designed to provide a caring environment for the terminally ill.

Pediatric Stage (Dogs and Cats)

Life stage spanning from birth to $6\,\text{months}$ old.

Young Adult Stage (Canine)

Life stage spanning from $6\,\text{months}$ to $2\text{--}5\,\text{years}$ for dogs.

Young Adult Stage (Feline)

Life stage spanning from $6\,\text{months}$ to $4\,\text{years}$ for cats.

Mature Adult Stage (Canine)

Life stage spanning from $2\text{--}5\,\text{years}$ through $9\,\text{years}$ for dogs.

Mature Adult Stage (Feline)

Life stage spanning from $4\,\text{years}$ to $12\,\text{years}$ for cats.

Senior Citizen Stage

Life stage occurring after mature adulthood.

Senior Cat Age Threshold

$9\,\text{years}$ of age.

Geriatric Cat Age Threshold

$13\,\text{years}$ of age.

Senior Dog Age Threshold

$7\,\text{years}$ of age for small, medium, and large dogs.

Geriatric Dog Age Threshold (Small/Medium Breeds)

$11\,\text{years}$ of age.

Geriatric Dog Age Threshold (Large Breeds)

$9\,\text{years}$ of age.

Senior Giant Breed Dog Threshold

$5\,\text{years}$ of age.

Geriatric Giant Breed Dog Threshold

$7\,\text{years}$ of age.

Small Dog Old Population Age

Greater than $12\,\text{years}$ of age.

Medium Dog Old Population Age

Greater than $10\,\text{years}$ of age.

Large Dog Old Population Age

Greater than $8\,\text{years}$ of age.

Geriatric Life Stage Characteristics

Life stage of progressive decline in physical condition, organ function, sensory function, mental function, and immunity.

Senior Care Start Age

Starting at age $7$, incorporating twice-a-year examinations and diagnostic screening for developing diseases.

Canine Geriatric Syndrome Framework

A framework incorporating clinical disease, physical changes, functional changes, quality of life and caregiver burden, behavioral changes, frailty, and metabolic changes.

Geriatric Care Premise #1

There are fundamental differences in specific diseases, behavior traits, and nutritional needs of the older animal.

Geriatric Care Premise #2

Prevention, early detection, and timely intervention can have a significant impact on the life span and quality of life of an older dog or cat.

Senior Care Exam Frequency

Twice-a-year examinations.

Indications for Oral Health Examination

Halitosis, difficulty chewing, dropping food from the mouth, and excessive salivation.

Surgical Indications for Oral Health

Periodontal inflammation, tartar, calculus accumulation, and fractured teeth.

Common Complaints of Cardiac Disease

Fatigue, exercise intolerance, collapse, and cough.

Common Complaints of Respiratory Disease

Coughing, exercise intolerance, and altered breathing rate/effort.

Hyperthyroidism

Endocrine disorder involving excessive production of thyroid hormone causing increased metabolic rate, increased appetite with weight loss, excessive thirst/urinating, lack of grooming, cool-seeking behavior, vomiting, and life-threatening cardiac complications.

Diabetes Mellitus (Geriatric)

Endocrine disorder caused by insufficient production of insulin and inability of glucose to enter cells, causing excessive thirst, urination, appetite with weight loss, and urinary tract infections.

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Disease)

Endocrine disorder caused by excess production of glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, causing excessive thirst, appetite, urination, and skin/urinary infections.

Slings (Mobility Support)

Support apparatus fitted around the caudal part of the body in front of hind limbs for animals with normal front end function and partial hind limb use.

Carts (Mobility Support)

Apparatus for animals with little or no function in hind limbs, relying on normal mobility in front limbs to ambulate and control direction.

Decubital Ulcers

Sores developed at pressure points along the body, prevented by standing/walking every $4\text{--}6\,\text{hours}$, keeping dry, and providing padding.

Subcutaneous Fluid Volume Limit via Butterfly

Injecting less than $60\,\text{mL}$ through a small needle using a syringe.

Bladder Expression Technique

Squeezing a water balloon-like structure in the caudal abdomen with firm, steady pressure until empty.

Palliative Care

Specialized medical care for individuals living with serious illness, focusing on improving quality of life for the patient and family.

Oral Drenching

Administration of liquid medication via a dose syringe inserted into the interdental space while restraining with the nose slightly elevated.

Drenching Mineral Oil Hazard

Mineral oil should NEVER be given via drench because inhalation can be fatal.

Nasogastric Intubation Indications

Passing a tube for large volumes of oral medications, extended enteral feedings, relieving gastric distention, or providing gastric lavage.

Equine IM Lateral Cervical Landmarks

Triangular space bordered dorsally by the nuchal ligament, ventrally by cervical vertebrae, and a hand's width in front of the cranial border of the scapula.

Equine IM Lateral Cervical Volume Limit

Delivering less than $10\,\text{mL}$ per site.

Equine IM Semimembranosus/Semitendinosus Site

Caudal aspect of the hind limb between the point of the buttock and the hock.

Equine IM Semimembranosus/Semitendinosus Specs

An $18\text{--}19\text{-gauge}$, $1.5\,\text{inch}$ needle injected straight into muscle, delivering up to $10\text{--}15\,\text{mL}$ per site.

Equine IM Gluteal Site Disadvantage

Difficult to detect inflammation caused by repeated injections.

Bovine IM Administration Limit

Maximum $10\,\text{mL}$ of substance administered at any one time; highly discouraged because meat is consumed.

Bovine IM Injection Site

Muscles of the neck caudal and ventral to the ear.

Ovine/Caprine IM Needle Specs (Adults)

An $18\text{--}20\text{-gauge}$, $1\,\text{inch}$ needle.

Ovine/Caprine IM Needle Specs (Young)

A $20\text{--}22\text{-gauge}$, $1\,\text{inch}$ needle.

Ovine/Caprine IM Sites to Avoid in Meat Animals

Semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and shoulder muscles.

Porcine IM Needle Specs (Adults)

A $16\text{--}20\text{-gauge}$, $1.5\,\text{inch}$ needle to avoid thick subcutaneous fat.

Porcine IM Needle Specs (Piglets)

A $20\text{-gauge}$, $1.5\,\text{inch}$ needle.

Porcine IM Injection Primary Site

Cervical neck muscles caudal and ventral to the ear.

Ruminant Tuberculosis Testing Site

Intradermal injection into the caudal tail fold.

Intramammary Administration Protocol

Completely milk out udder, clean teats with teat dip, dry with separate cloth, wipe with alcohol, air-dry, infuse teat, occlude tip, and gently massage.

Subpalpebral Lavage System

Narrow rubber tubing inserted through eyelid incisions into the conjunctival sac to administer ocular fluids.

Nasolacrimal Lavage System

Tubing inserted into the nasal punctum and passed through a small stab wound in the nares.

Equine Venipuncture Sites

Jugular, cephalic, transverse facial, and lateral thoracic veins.

Bovine Venipuncture Sites

Jugular and coccygeal veins.

Ovine/Caprine Venipuncture Sites

Jugular, cephalic, and saphenous veins.

Equine IV Injection Specs

Jugular vein using an $18\text{--}20\text{-gauge}$, $1.5\,\text{inch}$ needle.

Equine Cephalic IV Catheter Specs

Inserted proximal to carpus using a $14\text{--}16\text{-gauge}$ by $3.25\text{--}5.25\,\text{inch}$ catheter.

Bovine IV Injection Specs

Jugular vein using a $16\text{--}18\text{-gauge}$, $1.5\,\text{inch}$ needle.

Arterial Blood Gas Equipment

A $1\text{--}3\,\text{mL}$ syringe with $25\text{-gauge}$ needle, lithium or sodium heparin ($1000\,\text{U/mL}$), vacutainer cork, and ice water bath.

Equine Arterial Sampling Sites

Facial, transverse facial, carotid, and metatarsal arteries.

Bovine Arterial Sampling Sites

Transverse facial, carotid, auricular, dorsal, and metatarsal arteries.

California Mastitis Test (CMT)

Mastitis diagnostic test using a white plastic test paddle with 4 cups (A-D) and reagent fluid mixed with equal volume of milk.

CMT Result Score 0

No gel formation.

CMT Result Score Trace

Precipitate disappears with continued movement of sample.

CMT Result Score 1

First visible precipitate does not disappear.

CMT Result Score 2

First visible gel-mixture moves toward center of cup, leaving bottom outer edge exposed.

CMT Result Score 3

Egg yolk type clot that sticks to bottom of plate.

Colostrum Sample Volume

Requires $5\text{--}10\,\text{mL}$ of colostrum for colostrometer testing.

Rumen Fluid Analysis Characteristics

Color, pH, odor, assessment of microbial organisms and numbers, and electrolyte levels.

Rumen Fluid Sampling Tools

Stomach tube, water-based lubricant, speculum (Frick or PVC), dose syringe, and collection container.

Thoracocentesis Location (Equine/Bovine)

Ventral portion of 6th and 7th intercostal space $10\text{--}12\,\text{cm}$ dorsal to olecranon, above lateral thoracic vein.

Caudal Epidural Location

Located between $S5$ and $C1$ or $C1$ and $C2$.

Orogastric Tube Length Measurement

Measured from tip of the nose to the 13th rib.

Distal Esophagus Tube Length Measurement

Measured from tip of the nose to the 8th rib.

Transdermal Analgesia Patch

Fentanyl citrate self-adhesive patch applied to shaved, dry skin for continuous pain management.

Transdermal Local Anesthetic Application Time

Applied $30\text{--}60\,\text{minutes}$ before venipuncture to desensitize skin.

Aural Administration Technique

Pull pinna upward/outward, dispense medication into ear canal, and massage base of ear.

Intrarectal Suppository Insertion Distance

Gloved, lubricated finger inserts tablet into rectum at least $5\,\text{cm}$.

Intrarectal Catheter Insertion Distance

Lubricated catheter inserted $8\text{--}10\,\text{cm}$ into rectum.

Common Intranasal Vaccines

Feline infectious peritonitis, feline viral rhinotracheitis-calici-panleukopenia, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Intradermal Injection Volume and Needle

A $25\text{--}27\text{-gauge}$ needle with $1\,\text{mL}$ syringe injecting $0.1\,\text{mL}$ per site.

Feline Vaccine Subcutaneous Site Guideline

Given as distally on the extremity as possible to mitigate vaccine-induced tumors.

Small Animal Epaxial IM Site

Lumbosacral musculature lateral to dorsal spinous processes.

Heartworm Treatment IM Site

Deep lumbar injections in the 3rd to 5th lumbar region.

Small Animal IM Needle Gauge

A $22\text{--}25\text{-gauge}$ needle.

Canine IV Injection Veins

Cephalic and lateral saphenous veins.

Feline IV Injection Veins

Cephalic, medial saphenous, and femoral veins.

Winged Needle IV Catheter (Butterfly)

Short-term catheter with plastic wings used for blood collection or nonirritating medication delivery.

Over-the-Needle (OTN) Catheter

Peripheral catheter fitted outside a steel needle with needlepoint extending beyond catheter.

Through-the-Needle Catheter

Catheter used primarily in jugular vein where needle is withdrawn after placement and protected by a guard.

Multilumen Catheter

Catheter with 2-3 lumens placed percutaneously via guidewire allowing simultaneous infusions.

Jugular IV Catheterization Advantages

CRI of phlebitic drugs, CVP measurement, frequent blood sampling, and TPN delivery.