Principles of basic animal nursing Flashcards

1
Q

First aid goals?

A

First aid goals?

  1. Maintain the animal’s life until proper medical care can be given = Preserve Life

Look at unit 1 for more info

  1. Prevent suffering and harm to the animal = Prevent suffering
  2. Preventing the animal’s condition from worsening = Prevent deterioration
  3. Prevent harm to human helpers whilst carrying out the actions
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2
Q

5 first aid steps?

A

5 first aid steps

.Keep calm

.Airway - clear of objects, blood, vomit?

.Breathing - respiratory noises, laboured breathing?

.Circulation - pulse rate, heart rate, CRT, temperature

.Consciousness - alert, responsive to noise, able to stand?

.Contact vet

Look at unit 1 for more info

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3
Q

Vet surgeons act 1966?

A

Veterinary surgeons act?

As an unqualified person veterinary surgeon can give first aid to an animal. This means you can perform first aid by checking the animal’s airways, breathing and circulation to prevent suffering. You can prevent the animal’s condition from getting worse until a veterinary surgeon can arrive to treat the animal fully.

.Any owner can give minor treatment üto their animal or anyone in their household for example spot on flea and wormer treatments. Another example is medication prescribed by a veterinary surgeon that is administered orally with a syringe not by needle injectionü Some owners etc can obtain permission depending on the circumstances e.g. diabetes and insulin injections.

.A person who cares for animals used in agriculture can perform medical treatments and minor surgery which does not involve entering the body cavity.

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4
Q

Restraint methods?

A

Restraint methods?

.Muzzles – usually for dogs that are not affected by breathing problems.

.Dog catchers – a pole with a loop at the end that encloses the neck and throat. When the pole is pulled, the loop tightens around the dog’s neck.

.Halti – this device fastens around the back of the neck and over the top of the muzzle. The Halti restricts mouth movement and can chafe the nose and muzzle.

.Collar & leads - a simple pair of devices that can be used if a dog is not seriously injured and can be led away for treatment.

.Cat bags – a cloth bag with one end open to slip over a cat and the other end closed.

.Crush cages – the animal is pushed inside a container and the sides of the container immobilise the animal.

.Cat graspers – like the dog catchers.

Towels – need no description.

.Chemical restraint – a sedative substance that is injected. An injection can be administered once the animal has been restrained physically e.g. in a crush cage.

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5
Q

A simple, effective method for restraining and then handling an animal?

A

A simple, effective method for restraining and then handling an animal?

Is to cover the animal with a blanket, towel of an appropriate size for the animal or, if a blanket etc., is not available, an adult-sized jacket or coat. Some of the ways of restraint are not kind.

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6
Q

Distress after injury?

A

Distress after injury?

An animal that is clearly in distress after an injury requires careful, sensitive and intelligent restraint and handling.

Even if the animal appears not to be in distress, the motion of trying to handle them may very well cause distress and at the least, anxiety.

Sometimes an animal needs to be left alone for a while so that they can come to terms with the event they have experienced.

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7
Q

What restraint methods are not kind?

A

What restraint methods are not kind?

Dog catcher - because it will cause stress and scare a frightened dog even more and threaten choking and strangulation.

Close fit muzzle - because the dog will not be able to pant or drink and will cause stress.

The halti - because if it’s too tight the strap will dig into the dog and cause irritation.

The crush cage - because this will to push against the animal , so it can hardly move and will cause discomfort and scare the animal.

The cat bag - because this will enclose on the cat and make the cat panic as it has no way of escaping.

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8
Q

Why might you need to use unkind restraints?

A

Why might you need to use unkind restraints?

.You might need to use a catcher if the dog or cat is scared because they might become aggressive and a catcher gives a safe distance from you and the animal. It is also a good way to catch the animal, so they have no way of escaping. This is important if the animal needs emergency medical treatment.

.You might need to use a crush cage if the animal is very aggressive to make sure they can not harm anyone trying to treat them and to make sure they get all the treatment they need. Particularly wild animals

.You might need to use a muzzle if the dog becomes aggressive when handled by a stranger or when they are scared so the dog does not attack anyone treating it.

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9
Q

Mucus membranes?

A

Mucus membranes?

Pale gums indicate a state of shock may be present; nice pink gums indicate no shock and that the circulation is as required.

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10
Q

CRT?

A

CRT?

The time it takes for the smallest blood vessels to refill after compression (the flat of a finger pressed against the mucus membranes)

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11
Q

Haemorrhage?

A

Haemorrhage?

Uncontrolled blood loss; blood can be dark red or bright red. Can be external (easily seen) or internal (not visible).

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12
Q

State of consciousness?

A

State of consciousness?

Awake, unconscious, vague, not responsive to the voice or other stimulus.

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13
Q

Signs of shock?

A

Signs of shock?

Signs that body processes are shutting down. Irregular heart beat, pale gums, shallow breathing, convulsions; cold extremities.

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14
Q

Assess temperature?

A

Assess temperature?

To compare to normal values of body core temperature for the animal species. Could be too high (hyperthermia) or too low (hypothermia).

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15
Q

Weight bearing/movement?

A

Weight bearing/movement?

Difficulty in moving or unwilling to put a limb on the ground.

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16
Q

Inflammation?

A

Inflammation?

Swellings, reddened areas, soreness on the body’s surface or, internally.

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17
Q

Visible injuries?

A

Visible injuries?

Lacerations, fractures, abrasions.

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18
Q

Describe how you would assess the dog as a first aid patient?

A

Describe how you would assess the dog as a first aid patient?

Look at LO1 for paragraph on the last page at the bottom

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19
Q

Wound?

A

Wound?

.Is a break in the skin and the surrounding soft tissues.

.A break in the skin must be treated because the skin is the body’s first line of defence against harmful organisms (bacteria etc.).

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20
Q

Avulsed wound?

A

Avulsed wound?

A part of the body that has become separated from the rest of the body.

An example is a tooth that has been torn from the socket in the jaw; a flap of skin.

Flap of skin, at least one edge still attached.

First aid treatment
• assess & control haemorrhage, remove foreign bodies if safe, clip away hair, clean wound, apply sterile dressing/bandage

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21
Q

Laceration wound?

A

Laceration wound?

A cut that has irregular edges. For example from broken glass, barbed wire and dog bites.

First aid treatment
• assess & control haemorrhage, remove foreign bodies if safe, clip away hair, clean wound, apply sterile dressing/bandage

An open wound. The skin is torn and the whole injury appears as an uneven, irregular shape.

Dressing - padding dressing as this does not stick to the skin and cause pain or slow down the process of healing when removed. Cohesive dressing to hold the padding in place and conforming dressing bandage to cover the area and keep all the dressings below in place.

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22
Q

Puncture wound?

A

Puncture wound?

A bite wound. causes a small entrance site but extends into underlying soft tissues.

The underlying tissues become inflamed and swollen.

Small skin wound, deep underlying tract.

First aid treatment
• assess & control haemorrhage, remove foreign bodies if safe, clip away hair, clean wound, apply sterile dressing/bandage

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23
Q

Incised wound?

A

Incised wound?

A clean-edged cut. for example, a knife, glass or sharp stone.

The edges of the wound are straight and obvious (i.e. they are well defined and are not jagged).

Clean edges, close edges, moderate haemorrhage, heals quickly.

First aid treatment
• incised assess & control haemorrhage, remove foreign bodies if safe, clip away hair, clean wound, apply sterile dressing/bandage.

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24
Q

Contusion wound?

A

Contusion wound?

A bruise. Epidermis removed, painful due to nerve exposure. Graze wound Blood capillaries have ruptured.

Blood loss occurs over the injured area however, the area is under the skin (under the epidermis).

Discoloration under the skin, swelling and the area affected becomes warmer than surrounding tissues.

Haemorrhage under the skin, warm skin, discolouration.

First aid treatment
• contusion apply a cold compress

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25
Q

Abrasion wound?

A

Abrasion wound?

A graze. caused by friction of the skin against a rough surface.

An open wound although the extent of the injury does not extend deep into the skin (usually the epidermis is grazed away but not the dermis).

Removal of epidermis, dermal layer exposed, graze wound, painful due to exposure of nerves.

First aid treatment
• abrasion clip away hair, clean wound, apply a sterile dressing

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26
Q

Burn?

A

Burn?

An injury caused by excessive heat or chemicals, alopecia (hair loss), swelling, pain, skin appears to be “oozing” and is red in appearance.

Reddened damaged skin, moist skin, heat, swelling, pain, alopecia (hair loss).

• burns cool with sterile running water/saline, maintain & monitor body temperature, apply lint free non adhesive dressing.

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27
Q

How a puncture wound occurs?

A

How a puncture wound occurs?

A cat’s canine penetrates the upper skin (the epidermis). It makes a puncture through the outermost protective layer of the body (epidermis) and penetrates the underlying dermis. Blood vessels and nerve endings exist in skin layer.

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28
Q

A dressing?

A

A dressing?

Is the item placed directly onto the wound whilst a bandage could be said to be the item that secures the dressing place.

However, “a bandage” should be seen as the complete structure that covers and protects a wound.

From understanding the term ‘bandage’ comes a deeper understanding of bandaging techniques because different wounds require different techniques. For now though, we shall focus upon the bandage as being a complete structure: the dressing plus a padding layer plus a layer that holds all in place over and around the wound. The dressing, being the item that is placed directly onto the wound, must be sterile. To meet the need for sterility, dressings are packaged in a cover or bag that says “Sterile” on the packaging.

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29
Q

A bandage?

A

A bandage?

The item that secures the dressing place. The complete structure that covers and protects a wound.

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30
Q

Bandaging items?

A

Bandage items?

The dressing plus a padding layer plus a layer that holds all in place over and around the wound.

The dressing, being the item that is placed directly onto the wound, must be sterile. To meet the need for sterility, dressings are packaged in a cover or bag that says “Sterile” on the packaging.

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31
Q

Sterile bandage?

A

Sterile bandage?

An item that is sterile is one that has been treated to kill all organisms and particles of living matter. They may have been super-heat treated or exposed to radiation to achieve sterility. The packaging too, is sterile (there is no point in sterilising a dressing and then putting into a non-sterile wrapper).

To maintain the sterility of the dressing, you would wear sterile, protective gloves. These prevent organisms from your hands and fingers from contaminating the dressing and the wound.

All bandaging materials are sterile.

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32
Q

Dressing for incised wound?

A

Dressing for incised wound?

Dry dressing - Can adhere to the wound causing pain & disruption of healing when removed, even when advertised as “non-adherent”. Less adherent (to the wound) than dry dressings but do not promote wound healing well.

Impregnated gauze adhesive - a dressing with an adhesive surface around its edges to adhere (stick) to the skin. Advantages: quick to apply but disadvantages are many in veterinary use.

Non-adhesive Padding - A dressing without an adhesive layer to attach to the surrounding skin. This describes most other dressings.

Conforming & cohesive - These dressings refer to the secondary layer of a bandage – they hold the first dressing in place.

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33
Q

Dressing for Laceration & Abrasion?

A

Dressing for Laceration & Abrasion?

Haemostatic dressings - a dressing that slows the rate of bleeding (haemorrhage). These are packed with an absorbent substance (e.g. kaolin – fine clay) Lacerations are prone to haemorrhage.

Occlusive dressings
- air & water-tight dressing that keeps the wound moist for cell growth (repair) but with less chance of infection.

Interactive dressings / Hydrogel dressing - moist dressing that encourages cell regeneration. Does not cause wound trauma when removed or pain. Hydrogels tend not to have high absorption abilities (but they are changed frequently). Hydrogel dressings consist of the hydrogel itself &/or a sheet of hydrogel.

Occlusive, interactive & hydrogel dressings work in a similar manner & are composed of similar substances e.g. a hydrogel. All are useful for covering uneven parts of the body.

Plus, all as for Incised

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34
Q

Dressing for burns (& scalds)?

A

Dressing for burns (& scalds)?

Non-adherent dressing - an emergency treatment method is to cover a non-adherent dressing with warm, saline-soaked swabs (sterile saline solution).

Occlusive & Hydrogel dressings - occlusive, interactive, hydrogel dressings prevent fluid loss from the burn site. They have the advantage that they do not stick to the burn.

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35
Q

Padding dressing?

A

Padding dressing?

This would be placed over the initial dressing that covers the wound itself. This dressing consists of a padded layer plus wide a fixing bandage.

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36
Q

A conforming dressing/bandage?

A

A conforming dressing/bandage?

Conforming bandage fits around awkward wounds e.g. the knee, or hoof. It conforms to the shape.

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37
Q

Cohesive secondary dressings?

A

Cohesive secondary dressings?

.Keeps the bandage in place, last layer e.g. vet wrap.

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38
Q

Cold compress?

A

Cold compress?

A cold compress is something that has been frozen or chilled, like an ice pack.

The idea of a cold compress is to cause vasoconstriction i.e., constriction of capillaries at the wound site. This reduces any blood loss, eases pain and reduces bruising.

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39
Q

Burn treatment?

A

Burn treatment?

1) Cool with sterile running water/ saline, maintain and monitor body temperature, apply lint free non-adhesive dressing.
2) Cover a Non adherent dressing with warm, saline soaked swabs. Then occlusive, interactive, hydrogel dressing to prevent fluid loss from the burn wound as these do not stick to the wound.

Maintaining core temperature: burn wounds are likely to result in physiological shock depending on their severity.

Therefore, the patient needs to be wrapped well in a blanket or anything that keeps body heat from escaping.

Saline solution: saline solution is great way to cleanse such a wound and acts as an antiseptic because the solution has more dissolved in it that body fluids. The result is that infected fluids are “drawn” out of the exposed area and bacteria will also loose their cell fluid. They can be effectively killed or prevented from increasing in number.

40
Q

An arterial bleed?

A

An arterial bleed?

Causes blood loss rapidly because with each beat of the heart, blood is pumped at a large volume and with great pressure at regular intervals at the point of the wound. The colour of the blood is bright red because it is fully oxygenated.

An arterial bleed can be stifled at a pulse point by applying direct, firm pressure to the artery itself. Digital pressure (two fingers placed next to each other and pressed down) is a classic immediate action for an arterial bleed. What you are aiming to do is to reduce the diameter of the artery and thus reduce blood flow through it.

Outline of artery structure and principle of applying digital pressure on an artery to stem haemorrhage. Digital pressure can be direct or indirect – direct: at the site of the wound or indirect: at a pressure point .

41
Q

A venous haemorrhage?

A

A venous haemorrhage?

Key characteristic of a venous haemorrhage is the steady flow or stream of blood (no pumping effect).

With the second key characteristic of the colour of the blood (it is a darker red because most of the oxygen has been removed from the red blood cells).

42
Q
A

Empty

43
Q

Pressure bandage for haemorrhage?

A

Pressure bandage for haemorrhage?

The pressure bandage needs to be held in place for about 5 minutes to allow blood clotting to take effect.

After 5 minutes, the pressure pad is released slowly at one side so as to look at the state of blood flow. If blood flows freely still, apply the pressure again. Repeat until the blood flow has ceased.

44
Q

After the pressure bandage?

A

After the pressure bandage?

After the immediate application of a pressure bandage, blood flow should reduce from a venous bleed after about 5 minutes. Once this has occurred, a larger dressing is applied and held in place by a length of wide, gauze bandaging.

The underlying dressing should be thick so that tightening of the gauze layer presses over a large surface area but does not restrict necessary blood flow.

An alternative bandaging item could be a conforming bandage which provides tension to the underlying padded dressing.

45
Q

Tourniquets?

A

Tourniquets?

A tourniquet is a device for reducing blood flow to a similar principle to digital pressure. A tourniquet however, has limitations and should be used only by a veterinary professional because of the risk involved in its application and monitoring.

A tourniquet will cause great pain as it tightens around all the soft tissues lying above an artery. Additionally, it tend to stop blood flow completely with the consequence that the limb being treated looses blood flow for oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal.

In other words, the tissues below the tourniquet will die if the great pressure applied by a tourniquet is left for too long.

46
Q

Application of a tourniquet using improvised materials and equipment?

A

Application of a tourniquet using improvised materials and equipment?

Only in absolute emergency should a tourniquet be used by an unqualified person.

The narrow bandage or rope is wound around the limb above the wound. A loop is left for pushing through a turning device in this case, a stick. The turning device can be a pen, a small branch or other improvised straight item. The stick is turned several times to tighten the bandage or rope.

Every few minutes (no more than 5), the stick turned in the opposite direction to allow blood flow to resume.

47
Q

Fractures?

A

Fractures?

A fracture is a broken bone. The bone could be affected by a crack at the surface or it could be broken completely that is, a single bone has been broken into two or more parts.

48
Q

A fracture can be caused by?

A

A fracture can be caused by?

.A road traffic collision
.A bad landing after a jump
.A bone disease
.Strong muscles that contract sharply and pull on a small bone to a level that causes the bone to break

49
Q

Non-weight bearing limb symptoms?

A

Non-weight bearing limb symptoms?

.Pain		
.Inflammation		
.Redness		
.Heat		
.Crepitus
.Visibility of fractured bones		
.Abnormal presentation of limb/extremity
50
Q

Crepitus?

A

Crepitus?

A sound made by rubbing between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone.

51
Q

Dislocations?

A

Dislocations?

A dislocation is as the word says: something has become located where it should not be.

A dislocation means that a joint has been disturbed to such an extent, that the bones of the joint have separated: they have become displaced.

A dislocation is very painful and will cause the animal to avoid placing weight on the injured limb. The limb will not look “right” nor will be functioning normally (if at all). Such injuries occur from road traffic collisions, landing badly, fighting and struggling to get out of a trapped position. For both a fracture injury and dislocation injury, immobilisation of the injured part is crucial as well as treatment for shock.

52
Q

Stings?

A

Stings?

A “sting” is caused by usually, an insect such as a wasp or bee. The sting is a defence or attack device against a predator or other dangerous attacker. The sting is actually a substance injected into the animal being stung.

Stings are extremely painful and they have the feeling of a sharp burning sensation. Pain is one of the four key presenting characteristics of an animal having been stung.

The most serious concern connected to stings is a severe, life-threatening reaction called anaphylactic shock (anaphylaxis).

53
Q

Stinger from a bee or wasp?

A

Stinger from a bee or wasp?

Wasps and bees leave a “stinger” in place where they have attacked the other animal. A wasp sting is alkaline in nature – a strong caustic substance. Immediate treatment is to bathe the location of the sting with vinegar. Vinegar is acidic and should neutralise the acid in the wasp’s sting.

A bee sting is acidic in nature. Immediate treatment is to bathe the location of the sting with bicarbonate of soda and water. Bicarbonate of soda, when dissolved in water, is an alkaline substance and should neutralise the acid in the wasp’s sting.

The stinger itself needs to be removed and this can be achieved by passing a credit card over the base of the stinger as the even pressure of the card’s edge pulls the stinger out of the site of the sting. Another method is to pull out the stinger with tweezers. However, bathing with either vinegar or bicarbonate of soda + water will temporary relief to the problem.

54
Q

Bites?

A

Bites?

A ‘bite’ refers to a puncture injury caused by another animal that possesses teeth. When one cat bites another cat, it is usually the canine teeth that sink into the flesh of the other cat. Canine teeth are pointed and quite sharp and these features cause the puncture - rather like a nail in a tyre.

55
Q

Poisoning?

A

Poisoning?

Apart from an arterial bleed, the most serious situation to deal with in respect to animal nursing will probably be poisoning.

A ‘poison’ can be any substance that is toxic to the animal in question such as:

  • Human standard chocolate as chocolate is toxic to dogs, small mammals and birds.
  • Ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) is toxic to all animals.
  • Human medicines are toxic to all other animals.
  • Aspirin is toxic to cats in particular.
  • An excess of vitamins is toxic to all animals
  • Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs in particular
  • Avocado is toxic to most birds (it contains an anti-fungal substance)
56
Q

Common signs of poisoning?

A

Common signs of poisoning?

Vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse, ataxia, shock (physiological), hyper-salivation and depression often accompany a poisoning.

57
Q

Fracture treatment?

A

Fracture treatment?

Immobilisation, treat for shock, bandage, splint.

58
Q

Bite treatment?

A

Bite treatment?

Cold compress, monitor for swelling, clean wound, dress.

59
Q

Bee sting treatment?

A

Bee sting treatment?

Apply dilute vinegar or bicarbonate of soda and remove sting.

60
Q

Dislocations treatment?

A

Dislocations treatment?

Immobilisation, treat for shock.

61
Q

Poisoning treatment?

A

Poisoning treatment?

Identify poison, administer demulcents, contact Veterinary Poisons Information Service.

62
Q

The term “shock” refers to a trauma to the body which results in?

A

The term “shock” refers to a trauma to the body which results in?

Shock is a condition resulting from a depressed state of many vital body functions caused by a lack of effective circulation (the clinical state resulting from an inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues or an inability of the tissues to properly use oxygen).

Shock is life threatening and requires immediate attention and treatment.

63
Q

Shock types?

A

Shock types?

.Hypovolaemic shock (external/internal haemorrhage), other body fluid losses - body water due to vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperthermia

.Trauma (accident, gun shot, falls)

.Anaphylaxis (true allergic reaction to a substance – not an intolerance).

.Endotoxic (poisoning)

64
Q

There are some common signs of shock no matter what the cause?

A

There are some common signs of shock no matter what the cause?

These are tachycardia and tachypnoea, weak & rapid pulse, decreased urinary output, pupils are dilated, collapse and pale mucous membranes.

There is an increased CRT (which means increased capillary refill time and respiration is rapid and shallow.

The animal may collapse, become unconscious and suffer from convulsions, collapse.

65
Q

How to record CRT?

A

How to record CRT?

.Open mouth
.Apply pressure to the gums with a finger.
.Gums should return pink in less than 2 seconds for a healthy animal.

66
Q

Shock first aid treatment?

A

Shock treatment?

Requires immediate first aid treatment. Of all actions, the animal must generally, be kept warm and quiet and in a place where there is reduced noise.

The main purpose of covering the patient with a blanket or coat is to maintain their body temperature.This should prevent the body core temperature from falling below the level that causes death.

The first aider must attend to haemorrhage if relevant and, of great importance is to monitor the patient’s condition and maintain observations until qualified veterinary persons can take over the animal’s care.

67
Q

Veterinary shock treatment?

A

Veterinary shock treatment?

Signs of shock are recognised, or a serious injury has taken place, supportive care such as intravenous (IV) fluids, oxygen and other measures can help reverse shock and prevent permanent organ damage.

68
Q

Blood during shock?

A

Blood during shock?

Physiological shock causes blood to be concentrated on the vital organs. Like the brain and heart. The rest of the body is affected as a result of blood redistribution like the kidney, skin, intestines these organs can be severely damaged as a result of hypoxia.

69
Q

Capillary Refill Time (CRT)?

A

Capillary Refill Time (CRT)?

Is the time taken for the smallest blood vessels to become a nice pink colour after some pressure is applied.

Pressing the gums does this and in a healthy animal, the return to a healthy colour is virtually instantaneous.

70
Q

Anaphylactic shock?

A

Anaphylactic shock?

Has a symptom not seen in other causes of shock: there is often swelling of the face & respiratory tract.

Swelling of the respiratory tract will cause suffocation if not treated with urgency.

Anaphylactic shock is the most severe allergic reaction to a substance e.g. a food, a sting, snake bite.

71
Q

Vital signs?

A

Vital signs?

Temperature, pulse and respiratory rates are known as the vital signs.

72
Q

Reasons for abnormal vital signs?

A

Reasons for abnormal vital signs?

Shock, general anaesthesia/sedation, unconsciousness, pain, dehydration, hypoxia, fear, hypovolaemia, circulatory collapse, exposure to extreme temperatures, inflammation, infection, convulsion, stress, heat, poisoning, obstruction, pneumonia.

73
Q

Taking a pulse?

A

Taking a pulse?

Taking the pulse rate is a direct reading of how many times the heart completes a full cycle in one minute.

The heart works like this: blood enters the right side of the heart. The right side of the heart pumps that blood to the lungs: this is the first beat of the heart’s cycle.

Blood returns from the lungs to the left side of the heart. The left side of the heart pumps that blood around the body: this is second and stronger beat of the heart.

74
Q

Taking respiratory rate?

A

Taking respiratory rate?

The respiratory rate is measured by counting the number of breaths IN (inspiration) OR, the number of breaths OUT (expiration) in one minute.

75
Q

Taking cat’s and dog’s pulse rate – beats per minute?

A

Taking cat’s and dog’s pulse rate – beats per minute?

. Greet the animal and stroke it before you start.
. Make sure you have a watch with seconds on it.
. Have someone else restrain the animal and keep it calm while you take its pulse.
. Place your fingers on the inside of the back leg at mid-thigh. You should be able to feel the pulse.
.Count the number of beats in 1 minute or
count the number of beats in a 15 second period.
. Multiply 15 by 4 to get the bpm.

76
Q

Taking cat’s and dog’s respiratory rate – breaths per minute?

A

Taking cat’s and dog’s respiratory rate – breaths per minute?

. Make sure the animal is resting and not excited.
. Make sure you have a watch with seconds on it.
. Look at the animal’s chest and when it goes up and down that counts as one breath.
. Count how many times this happens in a 1 minute or 30 second period.
. Multiply 30 by 2 to get breaths per minute.

77
Q

Thermometer?

A

Thermometer?

When using a thermometer on an animal other than a human, the location to insert the thermometer is the rectum (through the anus).

  • Obviously, you need to restrain the animal to do this.
  • The thermometer must be clean before you insert it into the rectum. A simple wipe is not enough!
  • It must also be prepared for ease of insertion. The anus and rectum do not have much in the way of secretions to lubricate the insertion so, lubricate the thermometer.
78
Q

How to use a thermometer?

A

How to use a thermometer?

.Clean the thermometer by putting an antiseptic solution on a swab and wipe over the end of it.

  • Lubricate the thermometer before you insert it and slightly twist as it goes in, so it will go into the rectum easier.
  • It must be clean for the next animal, so the germs left on it to prevent disease transmission.
  • Keep the thermometer in the rectum for 1 minutes or until the thermometer makes a noise if digital which means the reading is completed.
  • Care must be taken to not touch the end of the thermometer, so you do not interfere with the reading or get body fluids on you.
  • After using the thermometer clean it with an antiseptic solution on a swab and wipe over the end of it. It should be stored in a room that does not get too hot and should have a protective cover on the thermometer.
79
Q

Environmental enrichment?

A

Environmental enrichment?

In terms of animal welfare, the whole process of physical and mental stimulation is usually called environmental enrichment.

80
Q

Environmental enrichment should?

A

Environmental enrichment should?

.Give an animal the chance to feel happy and safe.

.Give an animal the chance to exercise to the best of their ability.

.Give an animal the chance behave in a natural way for that animal.

.Give an animal mental stimulation so they do not become bored.

.Give an animal the stimulation to prevent self-harm e.g. chewing their fur, pulling out their feathers, pacing up and down their enclosure time and time again, banging into the sides of their enclosure simply to “feel” something.

.Give an animal the chance to experience sensations of comfort and reassurance. Familiar belongings are important. An old blanket or toy will help the patient to feel safer and less stressed as is talking, comforting and stroking (if allowed).

.Give an animal the chance to recover by removing as much stress as possible.

.Prevent the problems that lack of exercise can cause when an animal is restricted after surgery or illness.

81
Q

Providing ways of enriching the environment for inpatients?

A

Providing ways of enriching the environment for inpatients?

.Providing comfortable bedding for kennel or housing.

.Provide toys to prevent boredom.

.Encourage owners to bring a blanket or toy from home to comfort and make the animal feel
safe.

.Provide enough space for the size of the animal.

.Remove as much stress as possible by not mixing species.

.Offer the animal’s preferred foods üto encourage them to eat and hand feed if required.

.Provide a hiding place for the anxious animals, for example a cardboard box for them to hide in.

.Provide regular exercise if appropriate.

82
Q

Hydrotherapy?

A

Hydrotherapy?

Is exercise in water and the water takes the weight off an injured limb.

It relieves discomfort and helps build up muscles.

83
Q

Pathological samples?

A

Pathological samples?

Samples of tissue and other substances taken from animals.

Other substances could be urine, faeces and saliva.

84
Q

Handling pathological samples?

A

Handling pathological samples?

All pathological samples must be dealt with care and strict hygiene practices.

They might contain harmful organisms that cause disease to humans and other animals if allowed to escape.

Also, the pathological sample must not be contaminated by the person dealing with them.

85
Q

Sending a lab sample?

A

Sending a lab sample?

.Put the laboratory the package is being sent to and the veterinary practice that is sending the package.

.Put the name and telephone number of the veterinary surgery on the package.

86
Q

Lab sample container?

A

Lab sample container?

It must be in a leak proof container because if the sample is broken the liquid can leak out of the package and may cause harm to anyone handling it.

The contents could contain body fluids being tested for bacterial and/or viral content and could be contagious.

The sample container is placed into a leak proof plastic bag with an absorbent material like paper towels to soak up any leakage.

87
Q

Lab sample box?

A

Lab sample box?

It should say ‘’PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMEN – or sample FRAGILE WITH CARE’’.

The box should be strong enough to hold the sample’s weight and not break.

88
Q

Lab sample paper work?

A

Lab sample paper work?

The paper work will have the sender’s details, the animal patient, the test needed etc.

89
Q

The Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966)

A

The Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966)

This piece of legislation is about informing people of who can diagnose and perform surgery on animals, this is only performed by a registered veterinary surgeon. It states clearly that only a VS can carry out surgery.

This legislation allows unqualified people like the animal nursing assistant to perform first aid on animals in an emergency to preserve life and prevent suffering until a veterinary surgeon can arrive. My responsibilities as an animal nursing assistant are to give basic care to the animals and assist the veterinary nurses and surgeon under the vet’s supervision.

*Written in my own words already

90
Q

The RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct?

A

The RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct?

This piece of legislation is about making veterinary surgeons and nurses aware that in their work they have responsibilities to the public, their clients, their work and to ensure the health and welfare of the animals committed to their care. This affects me as an animal nursing assistant because the veterinary surgeons and nurses must work together with me and other members of the team to coordinate the care of the animals and the delivery of services. My responsibilities under this act are to listen and work together with the veterinary surgeons, nurses and the team.

91
Q

Data Protection Act (1998)?

A

Data Protection Act (1998)?

Anyone working with records and confidential information. This piece of legislation is about protecting people’s personal data, which is stored on computers, electronic devices and on paper.

This affects me as an animal nursing assistant because I may be in control of clients’ personal data like name, address and phone number. My responsibilities under this act are to keep clients’ personal data secure and not share them with anyone unless given permission from the client and only for business purposes. The clients’ details must be truthful and updated if necessary.

92
Q

Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (1995) RIDDOR
What is an Accident book?

A

Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (1995) RIDDOR

What is an Accident book?

This piece of legislation is about reporting injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents in the workplace. This affects me as an animal nursing assistant because if there is a spread of disease or a dangerous incident happens, I should record it in the accident book. If an incident could have happened but was avoided, I should inform my supervisor. My responsibilities under this act are to avoid dangerous incidents happening for example placing wet floor signs once mopping the floors ect.

93
Q

The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)?

A

The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)?

This piece of legislation is about making employers aware that they must protect the health, safety and welfare of all their workers, clients, visitors and the public. This affects me as an animal nursing assistant because I will be working in a practice that should protect my health, safety and welfare. My responsibilities under this act are to report anything that might affect mine, my colleagues’, clients’ and the public’s health, safety and welfare.

94
Q

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)?

A

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)?

This piece of legislation is about helping protect people against health risks from hazardous substances in the workplace. This affects me as an animal nursing assistant because I will be using chemicals for cleaning tasks that may be hazardous substances. My responsibilities under this act are to protect myself against hazardous substances by only using them the way I was trained to, by wearing the personal protective equipment provided and reporting if the PPE is no longer usable ect.

95
Q

The Manual Handling Regulations 1992?

A

The Manual Handling Regulations 1992?

This piece of legislation is about protecting people from risks that may happen when manual handling in the workplace. This affects me as an animal nursing assistant because I will be lifting animals, heavy boxes ect in the workplace. My responsibilities under this act are to not handle anything that will be too heavy for me to carry and may cause me injury. To follow the guide of how-to manual handle in the work place and to access if the environment is safe for me to carry the items ect.