Animal Medical Treatment

Question 0

Respiratory Depression or Arrest Causes

Answer 0

1.) Drug-induced depression of respiratory center

2. ) Airway obstruction
   
   • Nose occluded
   • Trachea occluded (neck draped over log, neck twisted, etc.)
   • Vomitus or edema blocking airway

3.) Pressure on diaphragm (bloat, intestinal or uterine contents)

Question 1

Respiratory Depression or Arrest

Answer 1

Tissue hypoxia resulting in cell death or damage caused by inadequate oxygenation of blood hemoglobin.

Question 2

Respiratory Depression or Arrest Signs

Answer 2

1. ) Few, shallow, or no respiration
2. ) Cyanosis - gums blue or gray
3. ) Noisy breathing

Question 3

Respiratory Depression or Arrest Treatment

Answer 3

1. ) Cease all further administration of immobilizing drugs
2. ) Establish patent airway
3. ) Begin artificial ventilation
4. ) administer 1-2 mg doxapram (Dopram) IV
5. ) Administer antagonist if any IV
6. ) Use needle in nose technique

Question 4

Hyperthermia

Answer 4

Body temperature increases to point where oxygen demand exceeds supply due to increased metabolism

Question 5

Hyperthermia Causes

Answer 5

1.) Metabolic heat generated by physical exertion

2. ) Heat absorption from environment
   
   • Warm ambient temperatures; direct exposure to sun
   • Confinement in poorly ventilated space
3. ) Drug-induced alteration of thermoregulatory centers
4. ) Bacterial or viral infection

Question 6

Hyperthermia Signs

Answer 6

1. ) Elevated rectal temperatures
2. ) Extremities very warm to the touch
3. ) Rapid, shallow breathing
4. ) Rapid heart rate, irregular pulse
5. ) Coma

Question 7

Hyperthermia Treatment

Answer 7

1. ) Cease all further administration of immobilizing agents
2. ) Cool the animal
3. ) Administer the appropriate antagonist IV

Question 8

Hypothermia / Frostbite

Answer 8

Decreased body temperature to point of cellular death due to decreased metabolism, freezing of cellular water, and/or vascular damage

Question 9

Hypothermia / Frostbite Causes

Answer 9

1. ) Drug-induced alteration of thermoregulatory centers or decreased metabolism and/or endogenous heat production
2. ) Cold ambient temperatures
3. ) Loss of insulation (wet coat, oiled fur, malnourished, or recbent in one position for too long)
4. ) Inadequate circulation (shock, foothold trap, etc.)

Question 10

Hypothermia / Frostbite Signs

Answer 10

1. ) Decreased rectal temperature
2. ) Shivering
3. ) Decreased heart rate
4. ) Decreased blood pressure
5. ) Extremities cold to touch
6. ) Extremities firm (frostbite)

Question 11

Hypothermia / Frostbite Treatment

Answer 11

Warm the animal!

Administering antagonist not recommended

Question 12

Shock

Answer 12

Clinical syndrome characterized by ineffective blood profusion of tissue resulting in cellular hypoxia. Often seen in animals that have undergone a stressful or strenuous capture or handling

Question 13

Shock Causes

Answer 13

1. ) Prolonged physical exertion
2. ) Prolonged physiological stress
3. ) Prolonged psychological stress
4. ) Severe blood loss

Question 14

Shock Signs

Answer 14

1. ) Rapid heart rate
2. ) Low blood pressure (slow capillary refill)
3. ) Muscle weakness
4. ) Depressed sensorium (often masked by drugs)
5. ) Hyperventilation

Question 15

Shock Treaemt

Answer 15

1. ) Cease all further administration of immobilizing drugs
2. ) Administer fluids IV
3. ) Address the blood loss situation if applicable
4. ) Administer solu-delta-cortef (preferably) or dexamethasone (never both) IV
5. ) Assist with ventilation if necessary

Question 16

Bloat

Answer 16

Excess gas resulting from Nola fermentation accumulating in the rumen of ungulates; the rumen enlarges compressing the diaphragm and lungs thus impairing respiration

Question 17

Bloat Causes

Answer 17

1. ) Drug induced (xylazine and opioids)

2. ) Incorrect body posture

Question 18

Bloat Signs

Answer 18

1. ) Increase in size of abdomen
2. ) Labored breathing (rapid, shallow)
3. ) Increased salivation

Question 19

Bloat Treatment

Answer 19

1. ) Correct the body position if applicable
2. ) Pass stomach tube
3. ) Insert large-bore needle into left flank to release gas
4. ) Administer appropriate antagonist IV

Question 20

Vomiting / Aspiration

Answer 20

Vomiting - The ejection of stomach contents through the esophagus and mouth

Aspiration - The inspiratory sucking into airways of foreign material, such as vomitus

Question 21

Vomiting / Aspiration Causes

Answer 21

1. ) Drug-induced (xylazine)
2. ) Stress or excitement
3. ) Head positioned lower than stomach

Question 22

Vomiting / Aspiration Signs

Answer 22

1. ) Gurgling sounds during respiration
2. ) Choking or gasping
3. ) Cyanosis
4. ) Presence of foreign matter in larynx, trachea, or nostrils
5. ) Respiratory arrest

Question 23

Vomiting / Aspiration Treatment

Answer 23

1. ) Cease all further administration of immobilizing drugs
2. ) Clear airway
3. ) Treat for respiratory depression or arrest if applicable
4. ) Administer long-term antibiotics

Question 24

Capture Myopathy

Answer 24

A complex condition affecting animals which usually have undergone a particularly stressful capture and handling

Question 25

Capture Myopathy Causes

Answer 25

1. ) Prolonged physical exertion 2. ) Prolonged physiological stress 3. ) Prolonged psychological stress

Question 26

Capture Myopathy Signs

Answer 26

1. ) Ataxia or weakness 2. ) Paresis or paralysis 3. ) Myoglobinuria (dark, brownish urine)

Question 27

Capture Myopathy Treatment

Answer 27

Administer liquids

Question 28

Seizures / Convulsions

Answer 28

Transient disturbance of cerebral function characterized by a violent, involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the voluntary muscles

Question 29

Seizures / Convulsions Causes

Answer 29

1. ) Drug-induced (ketamine) 2. ) Trauma 3. ) Hypoglycemia

Question 30

Seizures / Convulsions Signs

Answer 30

1. ) Uncontrolled muscle spasms 2. ) Whole body spasms 3. ) Rigid extensions of limbs 4. ) Mouth gaping

Question 31

Seizures / Convulsions Treatment

Answer 31

1. ) Administer diazepam (Valium) IV slowly | 2. ) Monitor temperature

Question 32

Wound Treatment

Answer 32

1. ) Clean wound 2. ) Suture wound if necessary 3. ) Give antibiotics

Question 33

Cardiac Arrest

Answer 33

Loss of effective cardiac function resulting in cessation of circulation

Question 34

Cardiac Arrest Causes

Answer 34

1. ) Drug-induced 2. ) Respiratory failure (hypoxia) 3. ) Acid-base imbalance 4. ) Electrolyte imbalance 5. ) Autonomic nervous system imbalance 6. ) Hypothermia

Question 35

Cardiac Arrest Signs

Answer 35

1. ) Weak or absent heart sounds or pulse 2. ) Poor capillary refill time 3. ) Cyanosis 4. ) Increased respiratory rate, abnormal pattern, or apnea 5. ) Dilated pupils, cold skin, and/or loss of consciousness

Question 36

Cardiac Arrest Treatment

Answer 36

1. ) Cease all further administration of immobilizing drugs 2. ) Be sure animal can breathe 3. ) Begin external cardiac massage 4. ) Inject epinephrine IV or IC

Question 37

Dehydration

Answer 37

Reduction of the body's water content

Question 38

Dehydration Causes

Answer 38

1. ) Decreased water intake 2. ) Hyperthermia 3. ) Fever 4. ) Chronic vomiting or diarrhea 5. ) Wound drainage 6. ) Polyuria (excessive urination)

Question 39

Dehydration Signs

Answer 39

1. ) Skin lacks pliability 2. ) Mouth and gums are dry and tacky 3. ) Weak pulse 4. ) Depressed sensorium 5. ) Signs of shock

Question 40

Dehydration Treatment

Answer 40

1. ) Cease all further administration of immobilizing drugs 2. ) Determine the volume deficit 3. ) Administer fluids