Hospital Management Flashcards
Neonatal period
First days
Total dependence on mother with behaviors like suckling
Transition period
Shift towards independence
Eyes and ears are open
Initial exploration begins
Socialization definition
Key learning phase about environment and species
Important to emphasize positive experiences to prevent fear
Juvenile period
Involves exploration, play, and understanding social hierarchies
Leads to sexual maturity
Adolescent testing
Young animals will push boundaries and appear rebellious
Territoriality
Mainly in males
Behaviors such as marking and defending territories is seen
Cognitive dysfunction
Seen in older pets
Can include behaviors such as confusion and disrupted sleep
Benefits of Socialization During 3-14 Weeks with Puppies
- Exposure to diverse people helps with confidence and adjustment
- Familiarizes with various sounds and territories
- Helps with social cues from friendly dogs and exposes to other pets
- Helps with social cues in litters while supervised exploration helps with cognitive development
- Aids in training (including crate and potty training)
Benefits of Socialization During 2-14 Weeks in Kittens
- Handling by diverse individuals leads to sociable, less fearful cats
- Exposure to safe environments and household sounds
- Safe introduction to friendly cats and other pets helps reduce interspecies aggression
- Playful interactions with toys and peers helps with physical development and teaches boundaries
Explain the 3 Types of Aggression
- Territorial: reacts to perceived intruders with behaviors such as growling or biting
- Fear-induced: responses like snapping when feeling trapped or threatened
- Inter-animal: aggression towards other animals due to social dynamics or competition
List the Signs, Causes, and Management Protocols for Separation Anxiety
Signs: whining or destructive behaviors when alone
Causes: routine changes, traumatic events, and certain breeds
Management: gradual desensitization, interactive toys, and potential anti-anxiety meds
Positive Reinforcement
Rewarding desired behavior to increase its frequency
Ex. Training treats
Negative Reinforcement
Removing an unpleasant stimulus when the desired behavior is performed
Positive Reinforcement
Introducing an unpleasant stimulus to decrease an undesirable behavior
Ex. Training treats
Negative Punishment
Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease an undesirable behavior
Counterconditioning
Changing an animal’s emotional response to a stimulus
Desensitization
Gradually exposing an animal to a stimulus to reduce its reaction
Explain Behavioral Medications and Their Client Education
Examples include antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives, etc.
Meds can be beneficial but clients should be educated about their purposes, proper dosing, and how to monitor for behavioral medications
Explain Preventative Behavioral Care Measures and Client Education
Includes training classes, puppy and kitten socialization as well as environmental enrichment such as toys, puzzles, and activities to stimulate pets mentally
Important to educate clients on the importance of behavioral prevention care
Explain how you can help clients with behavioral issues
Always show active listening and understand client concerns without judgment
Show empathy and recognize the emotional strain that can be caused
Try to check in on progress and help make strategic adjustments as needed
Help ensure clients understand the behavior, the causes, and proposed solutions
Explain the importance of nutrition
Directly impacts energy levels, skin and coat health, and immune system functionality
A balanced diet can prevent many common health issues such as obesity, pancreatitis, and nutritional deficiencies
Explain the difference in nutrition between puppies/kittens and senior pets
Puppies/kittens need nutrient-rich food for growth
Senior pets may need a more caloricalky dense, higher protein diet to maintain muscle mass
Explain the importance of nutrition with disease management
Some conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes may need specialized diets
Proper nutrition can sometimes reduce the need for medications
Importance of Proteins
Support muscle development and repair
Can be found in chicken, beef, fish, and lamb
Importance of Fats
Promote skin and coat health
Sources include fish oil and chicken fat
Importance of Carbohydrates
Provide energy and aid in digestion
Sources include rice, barley, and oats
Importance of Vitamins and Minerals
Essential for bone health, blood clotting, and nerve signaling
Sources include vegetables, fruits, and grains
Importance of water
Essential for digestion, temperature regulation, and waste elimination
Always provide clean and fresh supply
How are ingredients listed?
Listed by weight
Ingredients used most frequently are often listed first
Guaranteed Analysis
Provides min and max percentages of certain nutrients that the manufacturer claims the product meets
Helps compare nutrient profiles between different brands
Nutritional Adequacy Statement
Ensures food meets AAFCO standards and indicates if food is complete and balanced
What are prescription diets?
Diets designed for specific conditions like urinary tract health or chronic kidney disease
Ex. Hill’s, RC
Explain the difference between kitten/puppy foods and senior foods
Kitte /puppy foods are calorie-dense and rich in nutrients
Senior foods may have joint supplements and moderate protein
What are breed-specific diets?
Tailored to the metabolic needs and common health issues of specific breeds
