ACM, Sanitation, Canine & Feline Intro and Physical Exam - Study Notes

Introduction to ACM, Sanitation, and Introduction to Canines

  • Understand the format of the ACM lecture and identify when assignments are due
  • Define the acronym SCNAVTA
  • Understand the purpose and importance of effective sanitation and ways to prevent the spread of disease in vet med
  • Understand the differences between a fomite, nosocomial, iatrogenic, and zoonotic infections
  • Understand and identify the precursor of the dog and the history and development of canines
  • Understand the purpose of a kennel club and define the acronyms AKC, EKC, and CKC
  • Identify the different groups that dogs can be shown in within kennel clubs
  • Understand what is needed for a dog to be classified as a purebred
  • Define the terms associated with dogs: dam, bitch, sire, stud, puppies, and whelping
  • Understand the purpose of tail docking and dewclaw removal, when, and in general, how it is performed
  • Understand the purpose of ear cropping, when, and in general, how it is performed
  • Understand the timeline for when a dog reaches sexual maturity and the general differences associated with a small dog breed versus a large dog breed
  • Define and understand estrous
  • Define and understand what a spay, OHE, castration, neuter, orchiectomy, and orchidectomy and the reasons they are recommended
  • Identify top 75 AKC recognized breeds – bring flashcards to test
  • Understand the key things to remember when restraining a dog and types of patients that require special consideration when being restrained
  • Understand the different characteristics of canine body language (relaxed/neutral, aggressive/threatened, fear aggresive, submissive, dominant aggressive)
  • Understand the differences between dog to dog aggression
  • Understand the differences between dog to dog aggression and redirected aggression
  • Understand the main defenses of the dog
  • Define FAS
  • Identify common restraint tools used in dogs, and ways to help alleviate stress for dogs while visiting the clinic
  • Understand what an incident protocol involves

Introduction to Felines

  • Identify the main characteristics of a feline compared to those of a canine
  • Define CFA and identify top 20 recognized breeds at the CFA
  • Define DSH, DMH, DLH
  • Understand the main way to sex kittens using the anogenital distance
  • Define the terms associated with cats: queen, tom, queening, kitten
  • Understand the timeline for when a cat reaches sexual maturity
  • Define seasonally polyestrous and understand the feline estrous cycle and the common signs that a cat is in heat
  • Define and understand what a spay, OHE, castration, neuter, orchiectomy, and orchidectomy and the reasons they are recommended
  • Understand the key things to remember when restraining a cat and types of patients that require special consideration when being restrained
  • Understand the different characteristics of feline body language (relaxed/neutral, annoyed/upset, defensively aggressive, and offensively aggresive)
  • Understand the differences between play-related aggression, cat aggression, and redirected aggression
  • Understand the main defenses of the cat
  • Identify common restraint tools used in cats, and ways to help alleviate stress for cats while visiting the clinic
  • Understand gunshyness as it relates to Vet Techs (or any vet professional) and animal patients

Physical Exam (PE)

  • Understand what PE stands for and the purpose of this diagnostic test
  • Understand how to systematically perform a PE
  • Understand the different primary and secondary vitals
  • Define TPR, CRT, MM, ST, how to obtain, and the normal ranges for both dogs and cats for each
  • Define BCS and understand the different scores and how to report using both the 5- and 9-scale
  • Understand the systems review process and what to test for within each system
    • Skin/integument
    • Mouth and throat: dental formula for canine and feline, different jaw alignments
    • Eyes: common abbreviations, different ocular abnormalities
    • Ears: pinna, external canal
    • Nose
    • Abdomen
    • Genitals
    • Rectum
    • Extremities
    • Neck and back
    • Neurologic: different sensory tests, different coordination tests
    • Lungs: # of quadrants to assess
    • Lymphatic: identify areas of common external lymph nodes and how to record
  • Understand how to effectively describe discharge
  • Define these terms: signalment, stethoscope, tachycardia, bradycardia, pulse deficit, arrhythmia, sinus arrhythmia, murmur, tachypnea, bradypnea, eupnea, dyspnea, BAR, QAR, supernumary, alopecia, dander, erythema, ectoparasite, lesion, cherry eye, entropion, ectropion, epiphora, sclera, cornea, lens, cataract, pinna, otoscope, gingiva, palpation, ROM, lordosis, kyphosis, righting reflex, conscious proprioception, rales, different types of coughs
  • Understand the purpose and the 5 different steps of the Vet Tech Practice Model

Vet Tech Practice Model

  • Understand the purpose and the 5 different steps of the Vet Tech Practice Model
  • (Note: content mirrors the overarching PE preparation points and emphasizes practical application in clinical settings)

Quick reference and connections

  • Recalling terminology related to dogs and cats is essential for exam and clinical communication
  • Links between restraint, patient welfare, and effective communication reduce stress and improve outcomes
  • Ethical and practical implications include humane handling, minimizing distress, and ensuring accuracy in documentation
  • Foundational concepts recur across sections: anatomy basics, common language, and standard procedures (e.g., spay/neuter concepts, restraint protocols, and body language cues)