Animal Health and Husbandry Flashcards
What are signs?
They are objective and indicate a medical fact or characteristic that can be observed. e.g. high blood pressure or heart rate
What are symptoms?
They are subjective and can only be felt by the animal e.g. fatigue, abdominal pain.
What are physical checks?
The condition of the body checks that are visible such as: weight, behaviour, injuries and gait
What are clinical checks?
Signs that are not visible and are related to a clinical condition. These checks include: Heart rate and pulse Respiratory rate Temperature- rectally is most accurate
What are the three thermometers used?
Mercury, digital and laser
What must you ensure when taking temperature rectally?
You only insert the tip and at a upwards angle so you’re not taking temperature of the faeces
What is the normal pulse for a dog?
70-180 bpm. Larger dog=slower pulse
What is the normal pulse for a cat?
120-240 bpm
What is sinus arrhythmia?
When the pulse of a animal is faster on inspiration and slower on expiration
Why do smaller animals have a higher weight specific metabolic rate?
As they have higher oxygen requirements per unit of tissue but don’t have the large hearts to match this. So the heart of the smaller animal must increase cardiac output to meet oxygen and metabolic demands and increase heart rate.
What is the normal resting respiratory rate for dogs and cats?
24-42
What is capillary refill time?
Time taken for colour to return to an external capillary bed after pressure is applied to cause blanching.
How can capillary refill time be measured in an animal?
Recording time once pressure is released for colour to return on the sternum or the gums
What could a prolonged capillary refill time mean?
Shock or dehydration
Why in felines having an issue with fur be a sign of ill health?
As they are such good self groomers
What is dysecdysis?
When a reptile is unable to shed completely
What techniques can be used to help a reptile complete a shed?
Soaking or misting the animal, increasing the room’s humidity and providing a moisture box
What do deep red membranes indicate?
Fever
What do pale membranes indicate?
Anaemia
What do yellow membranes indicate?
Jaundice or liver disorders
What do blue-red membranes indicate?
Circulatory problems or pneumonia
What is gait?
A pattern of limb actions that an animal uses repetitively during locomotion
What would a score 1 be on a poo chart?
Very hard and dry and would require a lot of effort to expel from the body. Usually seen in pellet form.
What would a score 7 be on the poo chart?
Very watery and has no texture and occurs as puddles.
What are the 5 animal welfare needs?
Need for a suitable environment, need for a suitable diet, need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, need to be housed with or apart from other animals and need to be protected from pain, suffering injury and disease.
What is a body condition score?
Scores the animal’s body condition based on physical appearance. 1-5.
1= Very thin, underweight. 5= Obese
Why must you start from the head-tail during a health check?
So that you don’t spread any faeces or bacteria to the mouth or eyes.
What are the aims and purpose of The Welfare of Animals at Market Order act (1993)?
To ensure a high standard of welfare for all animals passing through market including: penning, food and water, care of young and unfit animals that are injured or suffering. It reinforces general animal welfare provisions and ensures they are not caused any injury or unnecessary suffering. Makes people responsible for safeguarding their animals.
What is the aim and purpose of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1996)?
To regulate the effective management of the veterinary profession, including: monitoring the registration of veterinary surgeons and practitioners, regulating their professional education and conduct and suspending or cancelling their registration as required for misconduct or malpractice
What is the aim and purpose of the Animal Welfare Act (2006)?
To improve the welfare of animals and impose greater responsibility on their carers and provide greater investigation and entry powers for police to deal with offences. Places a duty of care on owners to ensure they take reasonable steps to meet the 5 welfare needs for their animals.
What is the aim and purpose of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (2007)?
To set minimum welfare standards for all farm animals and preserve the requirements of existing secondary farm animal welfare legislation and to extend scope to include livestock kept on common land.
What is the aim and purpose of the Welfare of Animals regulations (1999) (Killing or slaughter)?
To regulate the handling of animals to prevent suffering during the slaughter process. Includes: Preslaughter handling facilities minimising stress, trained caring personnel, appropriate equipment and an effective process which induces immediate unconsciousness. To outline the requirements for a humane and painless death.
What is the aim and purpose of the Welfare of Animals Transport order (2006)?
To provide animal welfare through raising transportation standards and providing protection through live transport.
What is a bacteria?
A single celled prokaryote which exist in abundance in living hosts. They need nutrients to grow and replicate but can wait in a dormant state until they have the nutrients they need.
What types of bacteria are there?
Cocci, Bacilli, Vibrios, Spirilla and Spirochaetes
What is a virus?
Genetic material in a strong coat of protein, they must have a living host to live and grow. Once inside a host they replicate quickly and the cells burst and infect others around it.
What is rabies?
A virus that targets brain and CNS and is spread by saliva. It multiplies in the body and spreads to nerve endings.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
Fever, loss of appetite, constant growling, attempting to bite most things and foaming at the mouth. It is fatal unless early treatment.
Who are recommended to have the rabies vaccine?
Lab workers who handle the virus, People handling bats, people travelling to a rabies risk country for one month plus, people working abroad in close contact to animals.
What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus? (FIV)
A virus that affects cat worldwide where they can be symptomless for years but then infection usually leads to a state of immune deficiency where the cat can’t protect itself from other infection. Spread through bites.
What are the symptoms of FIV?
Enlarged lymph nodes, fever, anaemia, weight loss, wounds that don’t heal, behaviour change.
Can be vaccinated against.
What is ‘Snuffles’?
A severe respiratory illness caused by bacteria usually seen in rabbits.
What are the symptoms and treatment of Snuffles?
Symptoms: sinusitis, conjunctivitis, ear infection.
Prevention: suitable diet that prevents dental disease and suitable clean housing and ventilation
Treatment: Antibiotics