Mod 1 Flashcards
FAS
Fear, anxiety, stress (considerate approach and gentle control alleviate this)
Considerate approach
Encompasses interaction between vet team and patient and inputs from environment
Touch gradient
Describes how to touch patients to minimize FAS (includes acclimating a patient to touch intensity associated with procedures while measuring acceptance and comfort)
Gentle control
How the vet team comfortably and safely positions the patient to allow vet care to be administered
Stressor
Experience, environment, or object that disrupts the body’s normal state of functioning
Stress Response
Physiological and behavioral responses that attempt to return the body to normal state of functioning
Effect of stress response on learned behavior
Stress response automatically activated in aversive situations, causing animals to be unable to respond to previously learned commands
Environmental Stress factors
Humidity, odor, noise, pheromones
Physiological stress factors
Disease, pain, hunger, thrust
Psychological stress factors
Unfamiliar people/pets, separation from owner
4 categories of FAS
Flight
Fight
Freeze
Fidget
Feline body language: relaxed
Eyes: normal
Ears:Forward
Spine: Flat back, cd higher than shoulders
Tail: Above topline, inverted question mark, gentle back and forth movement
Mouth:closed
Feline body language: stressed
Eyes: large, round pupils
Ears: out to the side, back against the head
Spine: Arched, crouched, legs under body
Tail:tucked, curled around body, forceful movement, thumping
Mouth: Open, panting, hissing, growling, spitting
Canine body language: relaxed
Face: Soft, loose
Eyes: normal pupils, soft eyes
Ears:forward, back but not flattened, loose
Spine: flexible neck to tail
Tail: level with or below topline, wagging
Mouth: open, lips-long, soft
Canine body language: stressed
Face: Lips pulled back, wrinkled brow, skin taut
Eyes: Dilated pupils
Ears: Far forward, out to side, flat against head
Spine: Rigid posture
Tail: high above topline, tucked, wagging
Mouth: closed, lips short, tense, snarl, bite
Positive Reinforcement
Addition of something pleasant to a situation to increase frequency of a desired reaction
Positive Punishment
Addition of something aversive to a situation to decrease behavior in the future (Increases FAS)
Conditioning
Permanent change in animal’s behavior as a result of experience
Operant conditioning
Learning how actions or behavior cause a consequence (basic cue training)
Classical Conditioning
Association of a neutral stimulus with a conditional emotional response (pleasant emotions)
Classical counter conditioning
Changing a patient’s conditioned emotional response to a perceived stimulus from an unpleasant emotion
Desensitization
Reducing sensitivity or reactivity towards stimuli through gradual, controlled exposure
Dog and cat sight
Can perceive motion and see well in low light
Cannot perceive details
See less color than people
Dog and cat hearing
Hear softer and higher frequency sounds than people
Client care representative
Identify clients and pets in need of additional help, direct them to online resources or other team members for coaching or education
Vet Tech
Educate, coach, and support clients ensuring that Fear free protocols are in place
Veterinarian
Establish and maintain Fear free culture and protocols and support CCR and techs.
Select and dispense appropriate medications to reduce FAS
Cat carrier
Do: Cover it, carry it securely, hold upright, minimize movement
Don’t: Carry by handle like suitcase, swing carrier
Returning home with cat
Delay reintroduction until sedated pet fully aware
Provide a sanctuary room with a door that can be closed
Counter-condition (change response to stimulus from unpleasant emotion) with treats
Mask scents
Problem for dogs with reintroduction
Aggression
Owners should plan ahead, encourage calm and relaxed behavior, remove resources that encourage competition
Take all dogs on a walk to re-introduce animal
Most important safety advice for transporting pets
Properly restrain them
Most important thing for a cat carrier
Multiple openings
Safest place to put small carrier in a vehicle
On the floor behind passenger seat
Fear free reception area
Spacing
4-6 ft non retractable leashes
Soothing music
Pheromone spray or plug ins
Visual blocks between pets (plants or barriers)
Treat jars
Avoid crowding and congestion
