Comprehensive Veterinary Nursing and Animal Husbandry Study Guide

Vital Signs Determination and Sharps Safety

Heart Rate (HR) and Pulse Rate Assessment: * Method: Listening via auscultation or palpating the pulse. * Duration: Monitor for a period of $15$ to $30\,\text{seconds}$ .
Respiratory Rate (RR) Assessment: * Small Animals: Listen or palpate for $30\,\text{seconds}$ (some sources allow for $15\,\text{seconds}$ ). * Large Animals: Listen or palpate for $30\,\text{seconds}$ .
Safe Disposal of Sharps: * Procedures: Always place sharps into designated sharps containers immediately after use. * Recapping: Do not recap needles after they have been used on a patient. Use safe recapping techniques (e.g., the one-handed scoop) only if absolutely necessary.

Syringe and Needle Handling Procedures

Contamination and Injury Prevention: * Aseptic Technique: Use strictly to prevent sample or patient contamination. * Package Inspection: Check all packages for tears, punctures, or damage prior to use; damaged packaging renders the item non-sterile. * Assembly: Hold the syringe by the barrel and plunger. Keep the needle cap on until the exact moment of use. * Environment: Maintain a clean and sterile work area.
During Use and Disposal: * Tip Sterility: Never touch the needle tip. * Technique: Utilize the correct injection angle and technique for the specific route (e.g., SC vs. IM). * Post-Use: Dispose of needles immediately into sharps containers to prevent injury and prohibit reuse.
Standard Needle Gauges and Applications: * $16g$ : Used for large animals. * $18g$ : Used for livestock; also used for subcutaneous (SC) fluid administration in small animals. * $20g$ : Used for large volumes in small animals, viscous (thick) fluids, or SC fluids in exotic/tiny animals. * $22g$ : The standard size for general use in small animals. * $25g$ : Used for tiny patients (kittens, puppies) and very small volumes. * $27g$ : Used for rodents. * $29g$ : Specialized for insulin administration. * Gauge Rule: The smaller the numerical gauge, the larger the needle diameter.

Hematology: Sample Collection and Blood Tubes

Blood Fraction Definitions: * Serum: The liquid portion of blood remaining after blood has clotted; it is plasma minus fibrinogen and clotting elements. * Plasma: The liquid portion of blood including clotting factors ( $\sim 55\%$ of total blood volume), excluding cells.
Blood Collection Tube Color Coding: * Red Top: No additives. Used to obtain serum, urine samples, or for drug monitoring. * Tiger Top (Serum Separator/SST): Contains a clot activator and serum separator gel. Used to obtain serum (Note: gel may interfere with some specific tests). * Lavender Top: Contains EDTA ( $\text{ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid}$ ). An anticoagulant that preserves cell morphology. Used for Mammalian/Avian Complete Blood Counts (CBC). * Green Top: Contains heparin (anticoagulant). Used to obtain plasma and for Reptilian CBCs. * Blue Top: Contains citrate (anticoagulant). Used for coagulation testing. * Grey Top: Contains sodium fluoride. Used for blood glucose testing and heavy metal toxicity screening.
Sample Handling and Order of Draw: * Transfer Technique: Add blood slowly into tubes to prevent hemolysis (rupturing of blood cells). * Order of Filling: Blue top first, followed by Lavender and/or Green, then Red and/or Tiger top.

Injection Techniques and Clinical Terminology

Injection Parameters: * Subcutaneous (SC): Administered at a $45^{\circ}$ angle. Method: Pull the skin into a "tent," insert the needle bevel-up, aspirate to check for blood, and administer. * Intramuscular (IM): Administered at a $90^{\circ}$ angle. Typically injected into the hamstrings, ensuring the needle is proximal to the sciatic nerve to avoid damage.
Anatomical and Directional Terms: * Cranial: Toward the head. * Caudal: Toward the tail. * Rostral: On the head, toward the nose. * Dorsal: Toward the back or top surface. * Ventral: Toward the belly or bottom surface. * Proximal: Nearer to the point of attachment/trunk. * Distal: Farther from the point of attachment/trunk. * Palmar: The bottom surface of the front paw/carpus. * Plantar: The bottom surface of the hind paw/tarsus. * Medial: Toward the midline. * Lateral: Away from the midline.
Patient Positioning (Recumbency): * Dorsal Recumbency: Lying on the back. * Ventral/Sternal Recumbency: Lying on the chest/belly. * Lateral Recumbency: Lying on the side.

Taxonomy and Classification of Domestic Species

Order Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates): Includes Cows, Pigs, Sheep, and Goats.
Order Perissodactyla (Odd-toed Ungulates): Includes Horses.
Order Carnivora: Includes Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets.
Order Rodentia: Includes Rats, Hamsters, and Guinea Pigs.
Order Lagomorpha: Includes Rabbits.
Order Insectivora: Includes Hedgehogs.

Veterinary Medical Records and Professional Duties

The SOAP Format: * S (Subjective): All information provided by the owner. Includes the presenting complaint, history, and signalment. * Signalment: Age/Date of Birth (DOB), Species, Breed, Sex, and Reproductive Status. * O (Objective): Data observed or measured by the clinician. Includes vital signs, weights, and results of diagnostic tests. * A (Assessment): Interpretation of the S and O data. Tasks performed by the Veterinarian (DVM), such as listed rule-outs, diagnosis (tentative or final), and prognosis. * P (Plan): Determining the course of action (DVM task). Includes recommendations, prescriptions, and diagnostic plans.
Record-keeping Rules: * Medical records are legal documents. * Use only standard medical abbreviations. * Errors: Single strike-through only; initial the correction. Do not use white-out. * Authenticity: Sign, initial, and date every entry.
Legal Scope of Practice (DVM Only Tasks): 1. Prescribe medications. 2. Diagnose diseases. 3. Prognose outcomes. 4. Perform surgery. 5. Attest to an animal's health status.
Nurse (Technician) Assessment vs. Veterinarian Diagnosis: * DVM Diagnosis: Identifies the cause of challenge (e.g., Asthma, Parvovirus, Flea Allergy Dermatitis). * Nurse Assessment: Identifies the body's response to the challenge (e.g., Restricted Airway, Pruritus/itching).
Intervention Types: * Vet-Driven: Activities specifically ordered by the DVM (Surgery, Prescribing). * Tech-Driven: Independent activities within the nurse's scope (Monitoring vitals, pain assessments).

Bovine, Porcine, and Small Ruminant Terminology

Cattle (Genus: $Bos$ , Species: $taurus$ ): * Intact Male: Bull. * Castrated Male (pre-maturity): Steer. * Young Female (no birth): Heifer. * Giving Birth: Calving. * Group: Herd.
Pigs (Genus: $Sus$ , Species: $scrofa\,domesticus$ ): * Intact Male: Boar. * Adult Female: Sow. * Castrated Male (pre-maturity): Barrow. * Young Female (no birth): Gilt. * Giving Birth: Farrowing. * Group: Herd.
Sheep (Genus: $Ovis$ , Species: $aries$ ): * Adult Female: Ewe. * Intact Male: Ram. * Castrated Male: Wether. * Young: Lamb. * Giving Birth: Lambing. * Group: Flock.
Goat (Genus: $Capra$ , Species: $hircus$ ): * Adult Female: Doe. * Intact Male: Buck or Billy. * Castrated Male: Wether. * Young: Kid. * Giving Birth: Kidding. * Group: Herd.
Horse (Genus: $Equus$ , Species: $ferus\,caballus$ ): * Intact Male: Stallion. * Adult Female: Mare. * Young: Foal. * Young Female: Filly. * Young Male: Colt. * Castrated Male: Gelding. * Giving Birth: Foaling. * Group: Herd.

Livestock Venipuncture and Clinical Procedures

Venipuncture Sites: * Cattle: Jugular vein or Coccygeal vein (tail). * Pigs: Jugular vein (specifically on the right side); Peripheral/Radial leg vein. * Sheep/Goats: Jugular or Cephalic vein.
Injection Sites: * Pigs: SC preferred where the hind leg meets the abdomen; IM in the neck triangle behind the ear. * Cattle: IM in the neck triangle; SC in the neck.
Restraint Tools: * Cattle: Tilt table, Nose tongs/lead, Tail jack, Stanchion (holds head only), Squeeze chute. * Pigs: Pig board (sorting board), Rattle paddle (shaker), Pig snare (farm hogs over $50\,lb$ ), Pig stick (tapping shoulder to steer direction).
Movement and Herding: * Flight Zone: The animal's personal space. * Point of Balance: Located at the shoulder. Standing behind the shoulder moves the animal forward; standing in front moves them backward.
California Endemic/Reportable Diseases: * Anaplasmosis: Endemic in California, reportable. * Brucellosis: Zoonotic, mandated vaccine (tattoo and tag in right ear). Causes abortion, weak calves, and orchitis. * Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex: Highly contagious, vaccinate prior to feedlot entry. * Anthrax: Vaccinate during local outbreaks.

Equine Management and Dentistry

Grooming Tools: * Rubber Curry Comb: Loosens dirt and mud. * Stiff Brush: Brings dirt to the surface. * Soft Brush: Removes debris and adds shine. * Hoof Pick: Removes debris from the hoof.
Hoof Care: Perform trimming/inspection every $6$ to $8\,\text{weeks}$ . Horseshoes improve wall integrity and prevent wear.
Equine Dentistry (Floating): * Purpose: Smooth sharp points (hooks) on teeth to prevent pain and sores; improves eating and comfort with bits. * Methods: Sedation and use of an oral speculum; utilizing hand floats or power floats.

Canine and Feline Restraint and Handling

Fear Free and Low Stress Handling: * Goal: Prevent fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) and maintain the pet-owner bond. * Fear Free: A whole-clinic approach involving environmental modifications. * Low Stress: Focuses on individual restraint techniques.
Dog Handling: * Kennel Removal: Secure leash before the dog exits. * Lifting: Under $50\,lb$ (one person); over $50\,lb$ (two-person lift, one cranial, one caudal). * Muzzles: Nylon muzzles are short-term only (prevent panting). Gauze muzzles wrap around the snout and tie behind the ears. * Venipuncture: Cephalic (cranial forelimb), Jugular (neck extended upward), Lateral Saphenous (lateral hind leg).
Cat Handling: * Scruffing: Only for emergencies; use the whole hand. * Restraint: Kitty Burrito/Purrito (towel wrap); E-Z Cat Nabber for feral/aggressive cats. * Venipuncture: Medial Saphenous (requires "karate-chop" occlusion of the vein in the groin area).

Animal Behavior and Training Principles

Modified Responses: * Sensitization: Response intensity increases with repeated stimulus exposure. * Habituation: Response intensity decreases as the animal learns the stimulus is harmless. * Counterconditioning: Replacing an existing response (e.g., nail clippers = treats). * Desensitization: Gradually increasing exposure to a stimulus to change the response.
Operant Conditioning: * Positive Reinforcement: Adding something pleasant to increase behavior (e.g., treats for sitting). * Negative Reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant to increase behavior (e.g., releasing leash pressure). * Positive Punishment: Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior (e.g., water spray for jumping). * Negative Punishment: Removing something pleasant to decrease behavior (e.g., ignoring for jumping).
Behavior Problem vs. Pathology: * Problem: Affects humans primarily (e.g., digging). * Pathology: Affects both humans and animals, often stress-related (e.g., inappropriate urination).
Canine Development Stages: * Neonatal: < 14\,\text{days}. * Transition: $2$ to $4\,\text{weeks}$ . * Socialization: $4$ to $16\,\text{weeks}$ (primary window for adaptation). * Juvenile: $16\,\text{weeks}$ to sexual maturity ( $6$ to $18\,\text{months}$ ). * Adolescence: Sexual maturity to $2$ or $3\,\text{years}$ .
Feline Development Stages: * Socialization Period: Most critical from $2$ to $7\,\text{weeks}$ .

Wound Management and Healing Phases

Inflammatory Phase: Blood fills the wound, providing platelets and clotting factors; a scab forms for minor protection.
Debridement Phase: Starts $\sim 6\,\text{hours}$ post-injury; white blood cells (WBCs) arrive to remove necrotic tissue and bacteria.
Repair (Proliferative) Phase: $3$ to $5\,\text{days}$ post-injury; fibroblasts produce collagen/elastin and granulation tissue forms.
Maturation (Remodeling) Phase: Can continue for years; wound strength reaches maximum but never equals original tissue strength.

Wound Classifications: * Clean: Aseptic surgical wound not entering hollow organs. * Clean-Contaminated: Surgical wound entering a hollow organ (bladder/stomach) or minor asepsis break. * Contaminated: Open/traumatic wound or major break in asepsis. * Dirty/Infected: Old traumatic wound with high bacterial count, pus, or fecal contamination.
First Aid and Lavage: * Active Bleeding: Apply pressure/temporary bandage. * Lavage Strategy: "The solution to pollution is dilution." Use large volumes ( $20+\,mL$ syringe) of warm, sterile, isotonic solution with a $19g+$ needle.
Wound Closure Types: * Primary: Suturing fresh, clean wounds (< 6\,\text{hours} - the "Golden Period"). * Delayed Primary: Closed after the golden period but before granulation tissue arrives (< 3\,\text{days}). * Second Intention: Allowed to heal via contraction and epithelialization without surgical closure.

Preventive Medicine and Vaccination

Feline Core Vaccines: Panleukopenia, Herpesvirus, Calicivirus.
Canine Core Vaccines: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus.
Feline Injection Site Sarcoma (FISS/VAS): * Risk factors: Killed virus vaccines, adjuvants, cold vaccines. * Management (1-2-3 Rule): Biopsy if the lump is still present after $3\,\text{months}$ , larger than $2\,cm$ , or growing after $1\,\text{month}$ . * Injection Sites in Cats: Rabies (distal right stifle), Distemper/Core (distal right elbow), Non-core (distal left stifle).
Neonatal Orphan Care: * Warmth: Never feed a cold puppy/kitten; ensure temperature is at least $97^{\circ}F$ . * Feeding: Use milk replacer only; feed every $2$ to $4\,\text{hours}$ while patient is on their belly. * Elimination: Manually stimulate urination/defecation using a warm damp cotton ball after every feeding.

Veterinary Dentistry

Plaque: Soft bacterial biofilm; removable via brushing.
Calculus (Tartar): Mineralized plaque; requires professional dental instruments for removal.
Gingivitis: Gum inflammation; reversible with home care.
Periodontal Disease Stages: * Grade 1: Early inflammation. * Grade 2: Attachment loss starts. * Grade 3: Advanced loss. * Grade 4: Severe attachment loss.
COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment & Treatment): Professional cleaning involving rinsing with chlorhexidine, calculus removal (gross and subgingival), polishing, and radiography.