Table of Contents

Contributors xvii Preface xix Acknowledgments xxi About the companion website xxiii CHAPTER 1 FOUNDATION SKILLS 3 TREGEL COCKBURN Task 1.1 Self-Assessment and Understanding of Foundation Skills 5 Task 1.2 Analysis of Veterinary Medical Terminology 6 Task 1.3 Review of Basic Math Skills 9 Task 1.4 Solving Common Veterinary Medical Math Problems 10 Task 1.5 Computers and Information Literacy 15 Task 1.6 Developing Technocompetency 17 CHAPTER 2 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 21 ORETA M. SAMPLES Task 2.1 Meeting Employer Expectations 23 Task 2.2 Using Common Courtesies 24 Task 2.3 Uses and Misuses of Social Media 26 Task 2.4 Applying the Human Animal Bond 27 Task 2.5 Professional Appearance 29 Task 2.6 Using Appropriate Language 31 Task 2.7 The Role of the Veterinary Assistant 33 Task 2.8 Anticipating Work Flow 36 Task 2.9 Applying Veterinary Ethics 37 CHAPTER 3 LAWS AFFECTING VETERINARY PRACTICE 41 BARB BURRI Task 3.1 Common Law 43 Task 3.2 Statutory Laws 44 Task 3.3 Substantive Law 44 Task 3.4 Federal Laws 46 Task 3.4.1 Occupational Safety and Health 48 Task 3.4.2 Product Safety Labels 49 Task 3.4.3 Personal Protective Equipment 51 Task 3.4.4 Universal Precautions 52 Task 3.4.5 Gloving and Ungloving 53 Task 3.5 State Laws 56 Task 3.5.1 Veterinary Practice Acts 56 Task 3.5.2 Public Health and Vaccination Laws 59 Task 3.5.3 State Animal Laws 60 Task 3.6 Local Ordinances 61 CHAPTER 4 FRONT OFFICE PROCEDURES 65 PAULA PATTENGALE Task 4.1 Medical Record Assembly 68 Task 4.2 Color Coding Medical Records 70 Task 4.3 Filing 72 Task 4.4 Appointment Scheduling 74 Task 4.5 Updating Client Information 77 Task 4.6 Intake Procedures 78 Task 4.7 The Signalment 80 Task 4.8 Release of Patient Information 82 Task 4.9 Rabies Certificates 84 Task 4.10 Health Certificates and Interstate Shipment of Animals 86 Task 4.11 Consent Forms 88 Task 4.12 Client Communications 90 Task 4.13 Patient Discharge 92 Task 4.14 Telephone Techniques 94 Task 4.15 Handling Difficult Clients 97 Task 4.16 Hospital Closing Procedures 99 CHAPTER 5 DISEASE TRANSMISSION, CONTROL, AND PREVENTION 103 JENNIFER SERLING Task 5.1 Disease Transmission 105 Task 5.2 Levels of Sanitation and Sanitation Agents 108 Task 5.3 Cage and Kennel Cleaning 112 Task 5.4 Isolation Ward Rules and Sanitation 116 Task 5.5 Cleaning the Other Areas in the Veterinary Clinic 118 Task 5.6 Handling Hospital Laundry 121 Task 5.7 Hospital Waste: Hazardous and Nonhazardous 123 CHAPTER 6 INTRODUCTION TO ANIMALS 127 TAMMIE PEARCE Task 6.1 Scientific Classification 129 CHAPTER 7 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 137 BARB BURRI Task 7.1 External Landmarks 139 Task 7.2 Directional Terms 141 Task 7.3 Cells and Tissues 142 Task 7.4 Skeletal System 143 Task 7.5 Muscular System 144 Task 7.6 Cardiovascular System 146 Task 7.7 Immune System 147 Task 7.8 Respiratory System 149 Task 7.9 Digestive System 150 Task 7.10 Urinary System 152 Task 7.11 Reproductive System 153 Task 7.12 Nervous System 154 Task 7.13 Endocrine System 155 Task 7.14 Integumentary System 156 CHAPTER 8 NUTRITION 159 PAULA PATTENGALE Task 8.1 The Basics: Essential Nutrients 161 Task 8.2 How Much to Feed 163 Task 8.3 Determination of Basic Energy Requirements (BER) 164 Task 8.4 Determination of the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) or Caloric Needs of a Patient 165 Task 8.5 Feeding the Anorexic Patient 166 Task 8.6 Feeding Prescription Diets 167 Task 8.7 Reading a Pet Food Label 167 Task 8.8 Calculating the True Cost of Feeding a Pet 168 Task 8.9 Feeding Livestock and Poultry 169 Task 8.10 Examination of Forages for Quality 170 Task 8.11 Feeding of Other Species 171 CHAPTER 9 ROPES AND KNOTS 173 TERESA SONSTHAGEN Task 9.1 Knot Tying Terminology 175 Task 9.2 Types of Ropes 176 Task 9.3 Whipping 176 Task 9.4 Hanking a Rope 179 Task 9.5 Types of Knots and Hitches 180 Task 9.5.1 Halter Tie 180 Task 9.5.2 Square Knot 181 Task 9.5.3 Reefer s Knot 183 Task 9.5.4 Sheet Bend Knot 185 Task 9.5.5 Bowline 187 Task 9.5.6 Bowline on a Bight 189 Task 9.5.7 Hitches 190 Task 9.5.8 Clove Hitch 192 CHAPTER 10 ANIMAL RESTRAINT 195 TERESA SONSTHAGEN Task 10.1 Species Differences and Safety 197 Task 10.2 Deciding on a Restraint Technique 200 Task 10.3 Psychological Restraint 202 Task 10.4 Physical Restraint 203 Task 10.4.1 Patient Identification Procedure 204 Task 10.5 Patient Kenneling Techniques 205 Task 10.5.1 Placing a Dog or Cat into a Kennel 205 Task 10.5.2 Remove a Dog or Cat from a Kennel 206 Task 10.5.3 Placing a Larger Dog into a Run 207 Task 10.5.4 Removing a Large Dog from a Kennel 208 Task 10.6 Lifting Animals 209 Task 10.7 Restraint Procedures for Dogs and Cats 210 Task 10.7.1 General Restraint 211 Task 10.7.2 Head Restraint for Examination or Medications 213 Task 10.7.3 Recumbency Restraint 215 Task 10.7.4 Restraint for Injections 217 Task 10.7.5 Restraint for IV Injections, Venipuncture, and Catheterization 218 Task 10.8 Handling Fractious Patients 225 Task 10.8.1 Fractious Cats 225 Task 10.8.2 Fractious Dogs 227 Task 10.9 Elizabethan Collar, Neck Brace, and Hobbles 230 Task 10.10 Restraint Procedures for Other Species 232 Task 10.10.1 Haltering and Leading a Horse 232 Task 10.10.2 Rabbits 234 Task 10.10.3 Avian Restraint 236 CHAPTER 11 PATIENT CARE I 241 ORETA M. SAMPLES Task 11.1 Medical Records 244 Task 11.1.1 Treatment Plan 245 Task 11.2 Working in the Treatment Room 248 Task 11.3 Examination Room Preparation 249 Task 11.4 Patient Discharge or Hospitalization 253 Task 11.5 Meeting a Patient s Basic Needs 255 Task 11.5.1 Environmental Considerations 257 Task 11.5.2 Feeding the Hospitalized Patient 259 Task 11.5.3 Water Availability and Consumption 262 Task 11.5.4 Socialization and Exercise 264 Task 11.5.5 In-Hospital Grooming 267 Task 11.6 Caring for the Feral or Quarantined Animal 268 CHAPTER 12 PATIENT CARE II 271 PAULA PATTENGALE Task 12.1 Grooming of Outpatients 273 Task 12.2 Coat Grooming Tools 273 Task 12.3 Ear Cleaning 276 Task 12.4 Nail Trimming 278 Task 12.5 Expressing Anal Sacs 281 Task 12.6 Bathing and Dipping 284 Task 12.7 Clipper Maintenance 287 Task 12.8 Clipping a Bird s Flight Feathers 290 Task 12.9 Administration of Medication 291 Task 12.9.1 Administration of Medication: Oral 291 Task 12.9.2 Administering Medication: Aural 295 Task 12.9.3 Administering Medication: Topical Medications 297 Task 12.9.4 Administering Medication: Ophthalmic 299 Task 12.9.5 Administration of Medications: Parenteral 300 Task 12.9.6 Filling Syringes 302 Task 12.10 Mixing Vaccines 305 Task 12.11 Daily Dental Care 306 CHAPTER 13 PATIENT CARE III 309 NATALIE CLAWSEN Task 13.1 Vital Signs 311 Task 13.1.1 Determining the Body Weight and the Body Condition Score 311 Task 13.1.2 Determining the Respiratory Rate 313 Task 13.1.3 Determining the Pulse and the Heart Rate 313 Task 13.1.4 Determining the Core Body Temperature 315 Task 13.2 Pain Evaluation and Monitoring 317 Task 13.3 Sexing Animals 320 Task 13.3.1 Sexing a Cat 320 Task 13.3.2 Sexing a Rabbit 321 Task 13.3.3 Sexing Rats, Mice, Hamsters, and Gerbils 322 Task 13.3.4 Sexing a Guinea Pig 324 Task 13.4 Monitoring IV Fluid Administration and IV Catheter Maintenance 326 Task 13.4.1 Preparation of a Patient for IV Catheterization 327 Task 13.4.2 Maintain Catheter Patency, Site, and Bandage 328 Task 13.5 Wound Care and Bandaging 330 Task 13.5.1 Cleaning a Wound 331 Task 13.5.2 Applying a Simple Bandage 332 Task 13.5.3 Removing a Simple Bandage 337 Task 13.6 Emergency Support 338 Task 13.6.1 Maintenance of a Crash Cart and Emergency Station 339 Task 13.6.2 Assisting Effectively during a Patient Emergency 340 Task 13.7 Veterinary Hospice Care 342 Task 13.7.1 Support of a Patient s Emotional Well-Being 343 Task 13.7.2 Bedding and Recumbency Changes 344 Task 13.8 Euthanasia 346 Task 13.8.1 Preparation for Euthanasia 346 Task 13.8.2 Role during the Process of Euthanasia 348 Task 13.8.3 Follow-Up after Euthanasia 350 CHAPTER 14 LABORATORY SKILLS 353 ELOYES HILL AND TERESA SONSTHAGEN Task 14.1 Maintenance of the Binocular Microscope 357 Task 14.2 Using the Centrifuge 358 Task 14.3 Calibrating the Refractometer 359 Task 14.4 Identification and Sampling for Ectoparasites 360 Task 14.4.1 Preparation of an Ectoparasite Sample Collection Tray 362 Task 14.5 Identification and Sampling for Endoparasites 363 Task 14.6 Collection of Feces 364 Task 14.7 Examination of Feces 365 Task 14.7.1 Preparation of the Fecal Smear 366 Task 14.7.2 Standard Fecal Flotation 367 Task 14.8 Blood Collection and Handling 369 Task 14.8.1 Components of a Blood Sample 369 Task 14.8.2 Complete Blood Count 372 Task 14.8.3 Preparing the Blood Smear 373 Task 14.8.4 Staining the Blood Smear 375 Task 14.8.5 Packed Cell Volume 377 Task 14.8.6 Plasma Protein Determination 378 Task 14.9 Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Determinations 380 Task 14.10 Using Serological Test Kits 382 Task 14.11 Urine Collection 384 Task 14.12 Urinalysis 387 Task 14.13 Microbiology: Sample Collection 390 Task 14.13.1 The Gram Stain 392 Task 14.13.2 Inoculation of Media 394 Task 14.13.3 Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing 397 Task 14.14 Necropsy: Preparation and Follow-Up 399 Task 14.14.1 Preparing Samples for Shipment to the Reference Laboratory 402 CHAPTER 15 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING 405 TERESA SONSTHAGEN Task 15.1 Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging 407 Task 15.2 Radiation Safety 409 Task 15.3 Preparation for Radiographic Procedure 412 Task 15.3.1 Preparation: Radiography Log 413 Task 15.3.2 Preparation: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 415 Task 15.3.3 Preparation: Using the Calipers 416 Task 15.3.4 Preparation: Setting Exposure Factors Using Technique Charts 417 Task 15.3.5 Preparation: Cassette Selection and Film Identification 419 Task 15.3.6 Procedure: Taking a Radiograph Patient Positioning 421 Task 15.4 Developing Radiographic Film 423 Task 15.4.1 Film Handling 424 Task 15.4.2 Developing Film 426 Task 15.5 Film Filing 427 Task 15.6 Darkroom Maintenance 428 Task 15.7 Diagnostic Ultrasonography 430 CHAPTER 16 ENDOSCOPY 433 ORETA M. SAMPLES Task 16.1 Endoscope Instrument 435 Task 16.2 Endoscopy Preparation 438 Task 16.3 Endoscopy: Postprocedure 442 CHAPTER 17 DENTAL SKILLS FOR THE VETERINARY ASSISTANT 447 MARY L. BERG Task 17.1 The Assistant s Role in Veterinary Dentistry 449 Task 17.2 Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance 449 Task 17.3 Daily Dental Care 455 Task 17.4 Charting the Oral Examination 455 Task 17.5 Dental Anatomy 460 Task 17.6 Estimation of Age Based on Tooth Eruption 461 Task 17.7 A Dental Prophylaxis Can Be Hazardous to Your Health! 462 Task 17.8 How to Clean Teeth 462 Task 17.9 Basics of Pocket Pet Dentistry 463 Task 17.10 Intraoral Radiography 464 Task 17.10.1 Patient Positioning during Dental Radiography 465 Task 17.11 Dental Patient Discharge Instructions 466 CHAPTER 18 PRE- AND PERISURGICAL SKILLS 469 ELIZABETH BROTHERTON, PAULA PATTENGALE, AND TERESA SONSTHAGEN Task 18.1 Aseptic Technique 471 Task 18.2 Surgical Suite Maintenance 472 Task 18.3 Communication with Health-Care Team Members 475 Task 18.3.1 Medical Records 476 Task 18.3.2 Patient Anesthetic Record 476 Task 18.3.3 Surgery Logbook 479 Task 18.3.4 Controlled Substance Log 480 Task 18.4 Preanesthetic Patient Identification and Preparation 483 Task 18.5 Induction of Anesthesia 486 Task 18.6 Anesthetic Equipment and Anesthetic Machine Setup 494 Task 18.7 Surgical Site Preparation 498 Task 18.8 Surgical Packs in Presurgical Period 503 Task 18.8.1 Suture Materials, Needles, and Scalpels 506 Task 18.9 Gloving and Glove Packs 507 Task 18.10 Frequently Performed Surgical Procedures 509 CHAPTER 19 POSTOPERATIVE TECHNIQUES 513 TERESA SONSTHAGEN AND ELIZABETH WARREN Task 19.1 Postanesthetic Patient Care 515 Task 19.1.1 Extubation 517 Task 19.1.2 Emergencies in the Postanesthetic Period 519 Task 19.2 Postoperative Patient Care 520 Task 19.2.1 Client Communication 523 Task 19.2.2 Suture and Staple Removal 524 Task 19.3 Sterilization and Sterilizers 526 Task 19.4 Cleaning and Preparing Instruments and Supplies 529 Task 19.5 Identifying Surgical Instruments 530 Task 19.6 Surgical Pack Assembly 533 Task 19.7 Postoperative Surgery Room Cleaning 540 CHAPTER 20 PHARMACY SKILLS 543 JENNIFER SERLING Task 20.1 Five Patient Rights 545 Task 20.2 Reading a Prescription and Determining How Much to Dispense 546 Task 20.3 Information Contained on the Primary Container or Packing 547 Task 20.4 Prescription Labeling 549 Task 20.5 Prescription Packaging 551 Task 20.6 How to Use a Pill Counting Tray 552 Task 20.7 Handling Medications and Controlled Substances 554 Task 20.8 Explaining Prescriptions to the Owner 556 CHAPTER 21 VETERINARY PRACTICE ROUTINES 559 PAULA PATTENGALE Task 21.1 Wellness Programs 561 Task 21.2 Using Practice Protocols 564 Task 21.3 Inventory Control 565 Task 21.4 In-House Communications 568 Task 21.5 Client Communication 570 Task 21.6 Letter Writing 571 APPENDICES 575 APPENDIX A: SCANS Competencies and Foundation Skills 575 APPENDIX B: Suffixes, Prefixes, and Anatomical Terms (Roots) 577 APPENDIX C: Directional Terms 587 APPENDIX D: Metric System and Table of Equivalents 589 APPENDIX E: Common Name, Genus Name, Scientific Name, and Gender Term for Common Species 591 APPENDIX F: Abbreviations Used in Veterinary Practice 593 APPENDIX G: Normal Vital Signs 595 APPENDIX H: Body Condition Score 597 APPENDIX I: Blood Collection Tube Types 599 APPENDIX J: Blood Collection Protocol 601 APPENDIX K: Pain Scale for Cats 603 Glossary 607 Index 617

About the Author

Paula Pattengale, DVM, MA, developed the VeterinaryAssistant program at North County Regional Occupational Program inSan Jose, California and Mission Valley Regional OccupationalProgram in Fremont, California, USA. She is now retired fromteaching. Teresa Sonsthagen, BS, LVT, is a Co-director and SeniorLecturer in the Veterinary Technology Program at North Dakota StateUniversity in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. She is an author of otherveterinary technology textbooks and has been educating veterinarytechnologists for over 30 years.

Reviews

This book will be a good complement for veterinary clinics for use as a reference for employees or as a resource to aid in the development of in-clinic training manuals, employee job descriptions, and employee review forms. It is also ideal for inclusion in any veterinary technology or veterinary assistant curriculum. (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 15 March 2015)