Patient Care Flashcards
Cats in kennels?
Cats in kennels?
.Cats - are macrosmatic their sensitive sense of smell drives many of their behavioural responses.
.Some odours can cause fear or anxiety. In cages cats using ‘‘synthetic feline facial pheromones’’ may have a calming effect when stressed.
Dogs in kennels?
Dogs in kennels?
.Get separation anxiety.
.Need exposure to external environment because they have a good sense of smell and like smelling things to stimulate the olfactory receptor.
.Adaptil - is a synthetic canine appeasing pheromone which supports dogs in a range of stressful situations.
.Kennels should be 18-22°c and monitored daily.
Ferrets in kennels?
Ferrets in kennels?
.Can predate upon rabbits and botu should be housed as far away as possible as the odour of a ferret can be potent.
Rabbits in kennels?
Rabbits in kennels?
.Choose a cage as far away from cats and dogs as possible.
Stress?
Stress?
.Cortisol levels are high in stressed patients and causes panting
.Stress delays wound healing
.Chronic stress can affect the GI system
.Causes hypertension, tachycardia, increased cholesterol and cortisol levels.
.If the stress exceeds the benefit of the procedure then avoid for now and try when calm.
Parameters for hospitalised patients?
Parameters for hospitalised patients?
.Cardiovascular .Pulmonary
.Gastrointestinal .Urinary/renal
.Musculoskeletal .Reproductive
.Integumentary/ lymphatic
.Neurological/ sensory
.Incisions/ wounds .Pain
.Self care .Catheters/ drains
Temperature?
Temperature?
.Thermometers should be placed carefully against the mucosa to avoid measuring faecal temperature.
.Dog - 38.3 - 38.7°c
.Cat - 38.0 - 38.5°c
Pyrexia?
Pyrexia?
.May indicate pain, infection, sepsis, convulsion activity
.Cool down by fluids at room temperature, bathe in cool water, ice packs, wet blankets, spray with water and fans.
Hypothermia?
Hypothermia?
.May indicate shock, hypovolemia, moribund patient.
.Temp below 36°c must be warmed from the core using fluids at no more than 40°c, blankets, heater, water bottles.
.Hypothermia in hypovolemic shock should not be treated first because it will cause more damage as direct heat causes vasodilation.
Pulse?
Pulse?
.Dog = 60 - 180 bpm
.Cat = 120 - 180 bpm
.Slow pulse - Hypothermia, circulatory failure, hyperkalemia.
.Rapid pulse - pain, pyrexia, sepsis, disease, shock, ventricular tachycardia.
.Pulse deficit - pulse slower or absent in relation to the corresponding heart sound. Listen and feel pulse together.
.Hyperkinetic pulse - anaemia, fever, sepsis, cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism.
Sinus arrhythmia?
Sinus arrhythmia?
.During inspiration the pulse rate will increase and during expiration it will decrease.
Hypokinetic?
Hypokinetic?
.Hypovolemic shock, dehydration, heart problems.
Respiratory sounds?
Respiratory sounds?
.A normal animal will breathe almost silently, so any sound can be abnormal.
Cyanosed MM?
Cyanosed MM?
.Patient should be supplied with oxygen before calling the vet.
Mucous membranes?
Mucous membranes?
.Pale MM - low PCV or circulatory shutdown
.Tacky MM - indicate dehydration
.Slow CRT - heart failure, hypovolemic shock, severe vasoconstriction
.No CRT - septic shock or pyrexia