VNSA6 Flashcards
What are the 5 needs of the AWA2006?
- need for a suitable environment
- need for a suitable diet
- need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- need to be housed, with or apart from other animals
-need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Who is responsible for an animal under AWA2006 ?
Anyone! Who takes responsibility (even temporarily).
Hospital accommodation
-Designed for short stay only.
-smaller than a boarding facility (provides restriction for observation and rest)
-animals staying for boarding or grooming should be housed separately.
RCVS Practice Standards Scheme states: ‘ there must be a range of suitable accommodation of a suitable size for the number and species routinely treated.’
‘Inpatient facilities must be of a suitable size, securable, sturdy, escape proof without potentially dangerous faults and easily cleanable’.
Types of non-permeable material for construction of housing cats and dogs
-wood
-concrete blocks/bricks
-melamine - plastic coated chipbaord
-wire mesh
-glass
-stainless steel
-plastic/fibre glass
Properties: impervious, draught proof, durable, indestructible, easy to clean
Key points to consider for accommodation
-comfort
-noise absorption
-temperature maintenance
-cost to install and maintain
-ease of observation of patient
-safe and securable
Minimum recommended size of hospital kennels for dogs and cats
Cat: H = 45.72cm. W = 45.72cm. D = 72.29cm
Small dog: H = 45.72cm. W = 45.72cm. D = 72.39cm
Med dog: H = 76.20cm. W = 76.20cm. D = 72.39cm
Lrg dog: H = 76.20cm. W = 121.92cm. D = 72.39cm
Giant dog: H = 91.44cm. W = 152.40cm. D = 72.39cm
Walk in kennel: H = 180cm. W = 140cm. D = 110cm
Maintenance and maintaining a suitable environment
To consider:
-species
-age
-reason for admission
-individual needs
-temperament
These include:
-heating
-ventilation
-lighting
-bedding
-position
-feedstuffs
-access to clean water
-waste disposal
-exercise
How to provide extra heat
-fluid therapy
-lab incubators
-microwave
-sink of hot water
-bair hugger IV line insulation
-incubators
-heat lamps
-electric heat pads
-warm enemas
-hot gloves/hands/water bottles
-microwave wheat pads
-ambient temperature
-coats/jumpers
-bubble wrap/emergency blanket
Ideal kennel temperatures
Adult dog: 7-26°
Adult cat: 10-26°
Hospital or isolation: 18-22°
Parturition: 18-21°
Neonates: 25° for the first 2wks and then 20° until weaning
Why is sufficient ventilation so important in the hospital accommodation?
-to provide a good oxygen supply
-to reduce the likelihood of airborne infections spreading
-remove stale air containing ammonia, methane and unpleasant smells from faeces, carbon dioxide, exhalation and water vapour from respiration.
-prevent animals from overheating
-prevent problems arising from high humidity
What is the minimum amount of air changes per hour?
4-8
Name types of active ventilation
-extractor fan
-air conditioning
Name types of passive ventilation
-window
-vent
Why is good lighting required?
-mimic animals natural conditions (dimmable)
-duration of lighting
-intensity of lighting
-it is a heat source
-for examination and observation
Basic requirements and qualities of a bed
Requirements = raised off the floor, easy access for animal, protect from draughts
Qualities = warmth, comfort, security, protection, absorbency, shouldn’t harbour pathogens, demarcates the animals territory, small mammals and cats need a hide, recumbent animals need a foam mattress or orthopaedic mattress.
Types of beds
Wicker basket, bean bags, fabric covered, raised frame, radiator cat beds, moulded plastic, sleeping benches, blankets, vet beds, covered foam pads, newspaper, shredded paper, straw or hay
Types of cat litter
Mineral based - Advantage = clumping form - easy to remove soiled litter. Disadvantage = lots of product needed to allow clumping
Fullers Earth, clay - Advantage = non clumping. Disadvantage = whole tray needs to be removed when soiled.
Wood based - Advantage = lightweight, biodegradable, highly absorbent, smells nice. Disadvantage = messy and bulky
Vegetable based - Advantage = clumping and biodegradable. Disadvantage = more difficult to obtain + expensive
Paper based - Advantage = recycled and biodegradable. Disadvantage = messy, newspaper ink can stain
Types of bowls
Plastic - pros = cheap and heatable. Cons = chewable, breeds bacteria, can’t autoclave
Ceramic - pros = can disinfect, bite resistant, sometimes microwave safe. Cons = can’t autoclave
Metal - pros = can autoclave. Cons = cannot be heated, animal can see their reflection
Exotics accommodation.
-only hospitalise when necessary. Stress is very important to consider
-surgical patients should be discharged asap. Owners taught how to syringe feed and medicate
-if hospitalisation is necessary the animals own cage is best. If not possible it should be mimicked as closely as possible.
-often prey animals - needs to be kept away from dogs and cats to minimise noises and smells.
-dimmed lighting, front of cage covered, red/blue lighting used.
Define an actual problem
Present at the time of assessment
Define potential problems
Problems that don’t exist but are likely to develop unless there is nursing interventions
Normal dog parameters
Temp = 38.3-39.2 degrees Celsius
Pulse = 70-140bpm
Respiratory = 10-30 brpm
Normal cat parameters
Temp = 38.2-38.6
Pulse = 100-200 bpm
Respiratory = 20-30 brpm
Normal rabbit parameters
Temp = 38.5-40.0
Pulse = 130-325 bpm
Respiratory = 30-60 brpm
Define pyrexia
Abnormally high temp. Usually caused by infection.
Define hyperthermia
Raised temp. Caused by exercise, excitement, heat stroke, seizures, pain and infection.
Define hypothermia
Low body temperature. Seen in hypovolaemic shock, GA or impending parturition.
Pulse (bpm)
Used to evaluate efficacy of cardiovascular system
The pulse can be palpated at any point where an artery runs close to the body surface
In normal patients an increase in pulse or inspiration and decrease on expiration is normal. This variation is known as sinus arrhythmia.
A weak threads pulse may indicate shock or diminished cardiac output.
Define arrhythmia
Irregular heart beat. Sinus arrhythmia is normal
