sanitation

Syllabus and Course Information

  • Instructor contact and information
  • Class format
  • Student expectations
  • ACE Patient care and enrichment responsibilities
  • Grading
  • Schedule

Textbooks

  • McCURNIN'S Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses
    • Authors/Editors: Joanna M. Unschri, Teeth Edison, Kristin Holtgew-Bohling
  • Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians (Fourth Edition)
  • Publisher/Platform: Evolve (online access)

Class Format

  • Lecture format
    • Before each class:
    • Review syllabus to identify topic(s) covered
    • Review reading assignment (Blackboard) to identify required reading
    • Review PowerPoint on the topic (Blackboard)
    • During class:
    • Take notes, ask questions
    • After lecture:
    • Complete worksheet and prepare notes for tests, reflect
  • Worksheets:
    • Due Monday at midnight, after material is covered in class
    • Worksheet key released at midnight
  • Study groups encouraged

Student Expectations

  • Ask questions when unsure or confused
  • If absent, obtain missed material from a peer
  • If absent for a test, contact the instructor the day of the test

What to Avoid

  • No need to bring books to class unless specified
  • Avoid strong fragrances (perfume/cologne/lotions/body sprays) — “recreational” fragrances
  • No smoking/vaping in college facilities or near entryways
  • Avoid using phone/online during class

Online Nutrition Assignment

  • Refer to handout, also available on BlackBoard

ACE Enrichment Assignment

  • See handout, also on BlackBoard

SCNAVTA

  • Student Chapter of the National Association of Vet Techs in America
  • Benefits:
    • Free membership
    • Student involvement throughout the year
    • Future leadership opportunities
  • Sign up link: https://navta.site-ym.com/general/register_start.asp?regkey=5C364D11-9793-478E-A6EC-927191F21020

Sanitation

  • Sanitation is important because it prevents the spread of disease:
    • From animal to animal
    • From inanimate objects to animal
    • From environment to animal
    • From people to animal
    • From animal to people

Fomites

  • Inanimate objects that can transfer infectious material
  • Examples: lab coats, shoes, towels, blankets, toys, etc.

Nosocomial Infections

  • Infections contracted in a hospital or clinic setting

Iatrogenic Infections

  • Infections caused by or during invasive procedures

Zoonotic Infections (Zoonotic diseases)

  • In the NC STATE UNIVERSITY context:
    • Toxocara canis
    • Hosts: Reptiles, Rodents, Paratenic hosts
  • Transmission pathways:
    • Ingestion of infected paratenic host
    • Migrating larvae can cause Visceral Larval Migrans
    • Ingestion of infective eggs
    • Transmammary transmission
    • Transuterine transmission
  • Timeline notes:
    • Prepatent period: ext{Prepatent} \
    • Transuterine transmission: 3 ext{ weeks}
    • Ingestion of infected paratenic host: 4-5 ext{ weeks}
    • Ingestion of infective egg: Infective in 4 ext{ weeks}
  • Fecal shedding:
    • Ova in feces
  • Concept: Zoonotic infections are disease communicable from animals to humans under natural conditions

How to Prevent the Spread of Disease

  • Wash hands effectively after handling each animal
  • Effectively sanitize surfaces after each animal
  • Effectively sanitize fomites
  • Prevent direct animal contact
  • Isolate/Quarantine animals who are infectious

Intro to Canines

Wolf: Precursor of the Dog

  • Based on studies of behavior, vocalizations, morphology, and DNA
  • Bones of wolves found with human remains from 400{,}000-100{,}000 ext{ years ago}
  • Dog was the first domesticated animal

Development of Canine Breeds

  • Diversity in size; distinctive breed types developed around 4000-3000 ext{ BC}
  • Examples:
    • Greyhound: hunting, guard, herding, lap
    • Middle Ages in Europe: hunting and tracking
  • Breeds developed by selecting for desired traits
    • Size, color, shape, behavioral traits

Development of Canine Breeds (continued)

  • Many breeds standardized by kennel clubs in the 1800-1900s
  • Examples of clubs:
    • EKC: founded in 1873
    • AKC
    • CKC

AKC Groups

  • Hound
  • Terrier
  • Sporting
  • Herding
  • Toy
  • Working
  • Non-Sporting

Registered Purebred Dogs

  • Must have breed characteristics: height, weight, coat type, color, shape of body parts as established by the kennel club
  • Must have purebred parents (sire/bitch)

Registered Purebred Dogs: Dewclaws and Tail Docking

  • Dewclaws: front, rear, or both
  • Tail docking: length determined by breed standards and owner preference
  • Some justification for hunting dogs to have dewclaws removed to reduce injuries
  • Performed at 2-3 ext{ days} of age without anesthesia
  • Soft, tiny bones – healing is rapid
  • Performed with scissors, scalpel, or laser

Reproduction – Female Dogs

  • Terms: Bitches or Dams
  • Sexual maturity: approximately 6 ext{ months} (varies by breed/line/individual)
  • Estrus (heat): First cycle usually around 6 ext{ months}; typically occur 2 imes ext{ per year}

Reproduction – Female Dogs (Gestation and Parturition)

  • Gestation: ext{approximately } 63 ext{ days}
  • Parturition: Whelping
  • Litter size varies with breeds

Surgical Prevention of Breeding – Female Dogs

  • Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) – "Spay"
    • Major abdominal surgery
    • Removal of ovaries and uterus
    • Prevents unwanted pups
    • Prevents estrus (bleeding, behavioral issues)
    • Prevents ovarian and uterine diseases
    • Reduces/eliminates incidence of mammary tumors, especially if performed before the first heat cycle

Reproduction – Male Dogs

  • Stud or dog
  • Sexual maturity: approximately 6 ext{ months}$$ (varies by breed/line/individual)

Surgical Prevention of Breeding – Male Dogs

  • Orchiectomy (castration/neuter)
    • Removal of both testicles
    • Reduces roaming and aggression
    • Prevents unwanted pups
    • Prevents prostate and testicular diseases

Coat Colors

  • Many coat colors vary with breed
  • Note: Topic may be breed-specific

Dog Breeds Note Card Assignment

  • Example entries:
    • Collie
    • Rough Collie
    • Smooth Collie

Animal Safety & Restraint – Dogs

  • Things to remember while restraining:
    • Talk calmly to the animal (use its name)
    • Always control the animal if on a table
    • Use distraction techniques & touch gradient
    • Use the least amount of restraint possible (low stress and species specific)
    • Injured animals may bite
    • Do not muzzle animals with respiratory problems
    • Communicate with the team (especially if patient control is lost)
    • Watch for sudden movements and “movements of intention”

Things to Remember While Restraining (Continued)

  • Be aware that frightened animals may:
    • Urinate, Defecate
    • Express anal glands
    • Bite, Scratch

Restraint for Any Species

  • Restraint is frightening
  • Approach from the animal’s side; avoid direct eye contact
  • Adopt a “hard to get” approach

Canine Body Language

  • Relaxed, Neutral, Approachable
    • Tail half-mast or wagging
    • Relaxed stance
    • Ears up or relaxed
    • Soft eyes, neutral brow
  • Threatened (Aggressive) behavior
    • Growling or barking
    • Showing teeth/snarling
    • Hair on end, tense body, dilated eyes
    • Warning signs that the dog is scared
  • Dominant Aggressive behavior
    • All preceding signs +
    • Tail up, high stance, weight on forelegs, lips retracted showing teeth
    • May lunge forward
  • Fear (Anxious) Aggressive behavior
    • All preceding signs +
    • Semi-crouched stance, head/neck/ears/tail lowered or back, possible trembling, yawning, lip licking
  • Submissive behavior
    • Tail tucked, crouched stance, may expose belly
    • Ears back and down

FEAR FREE – Taking the Pet Out of Petrified (Fear, Anxiety & Stress)

  • Overview of the Fear, Anxiety & Stress (FAS) spectrum
  • Red: Severe signs - Fight/Aggression (FAS 5)
    • Offensive aggression: lunging forward, ears forward, tail up; exposed front teeth
    • Defensive aggression: tail up, dilated pupils, direct eye contact, full teeth
    • Body language indicates fear as a primary communication cue
  • Yellow: Moderate signs (FAS 3)
    • Turning head away, brief treat refusal, hesitation to interact
  • Green: Mild/Subtle signs (FAS 1-2)
    • Lips licking, avoiding eye contact, slight panting, relaxed facial expressions
  • Green: Alert/Excited/Anxious? (FAS 0-1)
    • Direct gaze but not intense, ears perked, slight tail movement
  • Green: Relaxed (FAS 0)
    • Sleeping, neutral expression, relaxed body
  • Resources: FEAR FREE / Happy Homes reference and imagery

Beware of Animals that May Display Aggression

  • Dog Aggressive Behavior: Competitive, offensive interactions with other animals
  • Redirected Aggressive Behavior: Aggression directed at a different target when prevented from attacking primary target
  • Practical caution: keep animals separated when aggression is observed; interference can cause severe injuries to the technician

Defenses of the Dog

  • 1. Teeth (fight instinct)
  • 2. Claws (fight instinct)
  • 3. Running (flight instinct)
  • 4. Jumping (flight instinct)

K9 Restraint Techniques

  • Numerous techniques depend on procedure, size, and temperament
  • Head and body control methods:
    • Sitting
    • Standing
    • Sternal
    • Lateral

Restraint – Fear-Free Practice

  • Focus on minimizing FAS (Fear, Anxiety, Stress) when restraining for dogs (and other species)

Restraint – Muzzles

  • Manual muzzle: encircle the muzzle with hand
  • Mechanical muzzles: roll gauze, nylon, basket, etc.
  • Leash use sometimes incorporated with muzzles

Other Restraint Tools

  • Distractions
  • Towels / burritos
  • Leather gloves
  • Catch pole
  • Gentle Leaders
  • E-collars
  • DAP (dog Appeasing Plant) – as recommended
  • Chemical/Drugs: Only with permission from veterinarian

Special Considerations for Restraint

  • Injured patients: struggling can cause additional damage
  • Brachycephalic breeds: common pre-existing respiratory issues
  • Puppies, Geriatric, Pregnant animals require special handling

Incident Protocol

  • If you are bitten or scratched:
    • Wash injury immediately with antibacterial soap
    • Apply ice pack if swelling occurs
    • Fill out an Incident Report with a faculty member
    • Seek medical attention if warranted

Next Week – Cats

  • Preview: Cats will be covered in the following session