Dog Health AHW Flashcards
What is the resting heart rate range of a dog and how does it vary?
60-120 bpm
Larger dog has a lower HR
What is the normal respiratory rate of a dog?
10-30 breathes per min
What is the normal rectal temperature range for a dog?
38.3 - 39.4C
What does capillary refill access and what is the normal time for a dog?
<2 seconds
It tests blood flow and pressure
What is the gestation period of a dog?
63 days
What types of diseases are monitored through a prescription diet?
kidney disease, diabetes, skin issues and urinary stones
What vaccines do puppies need?
Distemper – affects GI and respiratory tract
oInfectious Hepatitis – affects liver
oParvovirus – affects GI tract
oLeptospirosis – affects liver and kidney
oParainfluenza (Canine infectious tracheobronchitis) – affects respiratory tract
oBordetella bronchiseptica (Canine infectious tracheobronchitis/’Kennel Cough’) – affects respiratory tract
How often should a dog be treated for fleas and how?
Topical —> once a month
Oral medication —> once every 3 months
How do dogs contract worms?
Other infected animals
Eating the larvae/ eggs of worms that are in the faeces or grass
Eating raw meat or infected prey animals
From fleas, during grooming they ingest the eggs
From mothers milk
How often should dogs be wormed
Every 3 months
What are the two different types of spays?
Ovariohysterectomy—> removal of uterus and ovaries
Ovariectomy —> removal of ovaries
When do dogs have to be neutered?
- Breed/ size dependant
- Larger breeds normally after a season, after 3 months
When can you castrate a dog?
Must be fully grown to avoid interference with bone development and growth
Larger the dog, the older they will be
What are the benefits of spaying?
Prevents seasons
Prevents pregnancy
Prevents womb infections (pyometra)
Prevents false pregnancies
Reduces the chance of mammary/breast problems
What are the benefits of castration?
Prevents testicular cancer
Reduces the chance of prostate problems such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) later in life
Reduces the urge to seek out a female dog to mate with, and therefore reduces the urge to roam away from home
Reduces the chance of behaviours such as humping
What behaviour can neutering make worse?
Anxiousness due to reduced testosterone
What are the 5 routine procedures on dogs?
Vaccine
Microchipping
Neutering
Dentals
Parasite control
What characteristics of dogs inform safe handling?
Social- extensive communication through ears, eyes, tail etc.
Altricial, so underdeveloped at birth but mature with help of parents
Extended juvenile period, incorporating social learning
Artificial selection for behavioural and morphological (how they look) characteristics
What are the 4 different theories of dog domestication?
- Humans took wolf puppies from the den and tamed, fed and cared for them
- Wolves began to rely on human activities for food sources
- Humans and wolves coevolved, relying on each other for different things
- Breeding meant dogs became more companionable
What is dog sight like?
- they have tapetum lucidum, which is a layer of tissue behind the retina that reflects in the dark, so they can see in the dark
- 6x less sensitive than humans
- red green colour blind (don’t see the colour red)
- wider field of vision than humans, but can’t see in 3d as well
What is dog smell like?
- Greater surface area of olfactory epithelium (which traps the odor that passes over and sends signal to olfactory bulb in brain)
- Much more olfactory receptors, so can detect a greater range of smells and at lower concentrations
- ## Has Jacobson organ in nasal septum to detect and intensify smells
What is dog hearing like?
Can hear x4 further and a wider range of sounds than humans
What is dog taste sense of taste like?
1/4 the number of taste buds than humans
Can detect bitter, sweet, sour and salty
What are the 6 different roles of dogs?
- working
- companion
- feral
- research
- sports and hobbies
- breeding
What are the roles of the following types of dogs?
- gundog
- hound
- utility
- working
- terrier
- pastoral
- toy
- retrieve dead/ wounded game in hunting
- hunted game using sight/ sound
- range of jobs not sporting or hunting
- guard, search and rescue dogs
- go to ground to kill vermin
- herd livestock
- companooms
What are 5 things owners should consider when buying a dog?
- Place
- Time
- Exercise
- Breed knowledge
- Finances
What is dominance training and why is it discredited?
Staring the dog down and using other confrontational methods
Causes unnecessary fear and distress to animal
What must dog kennels/ boarders consider?
- standards
- licensing
- training
- quantity and types of animals being held
- prepare for emergencies (first aid, fires etc. )
- diets
- staffing
- the environment
What are the legislations with dogs regarding?
- Noise
- shock collars
- Identification
- Fouling
- Livestock
- Specifc breeds
- Barking is allowed if kept to minimum and not constantly disrupting neighbours excessively
- Only illegal in wales
- Must wear a collar and ID tag when out in public. Must also be microchipped
- Must clean up after dog
- Must not chase after livestock. Farmer is legally allowed to kill a dog that is worrying livestock
- the following breeds of dogs are illegal to own in the UK
Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Braziliero.
What are some ways to calm an aggressive dog down?
- talk in low, calm voice
- avoid eye contact
- move slowly
- use food/ treats
- don’t be alone, but not overcrowding dog
- know what is wrong beforehand if possible, as perception of pain will increase aggressiveness
What are some signs of stress in dogs?
yawning – unless your dog is tired
panting – often with a curled tip of their tongue instead of relaxed
pacing back and forth
licking their lips
ears pinned back
dilated pupils or red around the eyes
whites of their eyes showing (whale eye)
What are the four different types of dog training?
- positive reinforcement—> rewards for desired behaviour
- negative reinforcement —> removal of something dog sees as unpleasant
- positive punishment —> add something the dog disliked
- negative punishment —> removal of something dog enjoys
What is ladder of communication and how do we use it?
- shows how a dog reacts if they find something stressful and steps they will take
- vet can use it to assess if an animal is comfortable in a situation, improving animal welfare and intervening before aggression starts and could harm people
How can we tell a dog is showing dominance rather than being playful
- resists obeying owner
- growl is deeper
- bares teeth fully
- movements more deliberate and precise
- tail tends to stop wagging
What are the most common endoparasites and ectoparasites in dogs?
Ticks
Fleas
Mites
Lungworms
Tapeworms
How to insert a microchip?
nsert the needle, with its bevelled point facing upwards, to its full depth. Then push the plunger right down until it “clicks” into position and inserts the microchip correctly.
Keep the plunger depressed as you withdraw the needle, pinching the skin gently above the microchip to ensure it does not come out with the needle. Angle the needle to one side as you
withdraw it, to keep it clear of the microchip.
Massage the area gently to move the chip away from the implant canal. Apply slight pressure to control any bleeding and to make sure the microchip stays in place.
What weight should dogs be lifted by 2 people?
Above 20kg
What are the three different types of muzzles?
Tape
Cloth/ open ended
Basket/ closed
When should you not muzzle a dog?
If vomiting or has breathing difficulties
What can you record from a distance about a dog?
Body condition score
Demeanour
Gait and movement
Respiratory rate
Where are the IM injection site?
Lumbar
Gluteus
Triceps (upper forearm)
Quadriceps (in front of femur)
What are the IV sites on a dog?
Cephalic (forearm)
Jugular
Saphenous
What is important when inserting a microchip?
You scan before and after inserting to check its working
What to look for when assessing body language?
TEMP
T- tail
E- ears and eyes
M- mouth
P- posture
What is the traffic light system with dog handling?
Red- animal not safe to handle
Orange- alert and potentially perceives a threat
Green- animal safe to handle
What are common facial expressions that indicate fear?
Lip licking
Yawning
Tense facial expressions
Wrinkled muzzle
Wide eyes
Avoiding eye contact
Ears too low
What body posture shows signs of fear?
Crouched
Tail between legs
Hairs raised
Tense body posture
What vocalisations show signs of fear
Whining
Howling
Change in pitch/ frequency of barking
Growling/ snarling
How to take dog heart rate
must be in a sitting or standing position. This ensures that there is an equal distribution of blood flow throughout the heart and has no effect on its performance.
Next, you should find the location of your dog’s heart by feeling around on their chest in that area. You can also place a hand underneath them and feel it flutter as it beats or listen to its sounds with your ear pressed up against their body while they inhale deeply.
Once you’ve located the general area, you can use a stethoscope to listen in on the sounds.
What are common zoonotic diseases that can be caught from dogs?
Parasites like fleas and worms (roundworms, lungworms) and ticks
Rabies
Leptospirosis
Salmonella and Campylobacter
How should you attach a muzzle to the dog
From top of dog down, as if you go from bottom up the dog is more likely to back away
