Animal behavior & Clinical Exam procedures Obj. 5.02: Evaluate proper safety protocol in a clinical setting

Animal Behavior Instinctive behavior – many in early life including: kneading of the paws on mother’s mammary glands Mother and newborn Marking Predatory Submission and dominance

Instinctive Behavior Acquired through an animal’s genetic makeup Each species is built on somewhat different pattern The brain and other parts of the nervous system generate a response to environmental inputs and hormones

Learned Behavior Modification of behavior in response to specific experience Conditioning – process of teaching an animal an action in relationship to another action Reward for coming to clicker sound Modeling – when animal learns behavior through watching other animals conduct the behavior Dog teaches other dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDKDC_IUnOA Imprinting – due to a process that must occur within a distinct, usually short time period Newborn horse can be achieved by rubbing its entire body and handling it to become used to people

Normal vs. Abnormal Behaviors Animal Species Normal Behaviors Common Abnormal Behaviors Dog Barking Marking Chewing Digging Jumping Aggression Biting Growling Food aggression Destructive behaviors House soiling Coprophagia Cat Chasing Pouncing Stalking Purring Hissing Hunting Grooming Scratching Excessive self-grooming Destructive scratching

Normal vs. Abnormal Behaviors Animal Species Normal Behaviors Common Abnormal Behaviors Rabbit Grooming Coprophagia (eating feces) Marking Growling thumping Biting Striking Hiding screaming Bird Screaming Mimicking Preening feathers Beak grinding Excessive screaming Aggression Territorial Feather picking Self-destruction Destructive chewing

Normal vs. Abnormal Behavior Animal Species Normal Behavior Common Abnormal Behavior Horse Kicking Biting Flattening ears Whinnying Bucking Rearing Charging Destructive biting Aggression Destructive chewing Cow Pushing Tail swishing Pawing ground

Normal vs. Abnormal Behavior Animal Species Normal Behavior Common Abnormal Behavior Goat Butting Jumping Climbing Chewing Aggression Destructive chewing Biting Sheep Bumping Herd instinct Vocal Playful Pig Squealing Charging

Socialization and Exercise of Patients Provide the human interaction animals need when hospitalized Petting Talking Holding Exercise – animals may not urinate in cage

Animal Behavior Videos TED Talk: Ian Dunbar – Dog-friendly dog training Animal Behavior – CrashCourse Biology #25

What is a Healthy Animal? Clear bright eyes with pink membranes around the eyes Appearance of contentment Alert attitude and interest in surroundings Good appetite Sleek, shiny coat with hair that is pliable, not dry and brittle Feces and urine that are easily passed and normal in appearance Temperature, pulse, and respiration in normal range

Examination Procedures to Evaluate the Safety of Animals Vital signs – measurements to assess the basic functions of the body and include: Heart rate Respiratory rate Temperature Blood pressure Mucous membrane color Capillary refill time (CRT) Weight of animal

Equipment Needed for Exams Stethoscope – used to auscult (listen to) the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal sounds Thermometer and petroleum jelly Ophthalmoscope (eyes) Otoscope (ears) Watch with a second hand Muzzle – used to control animals that may bite

Temperature, Pulse, & Respiration TPR is a basic component of the physical exam Different for every species of animal Varies with age, size, environmental temperature, stress, activity level, and health TPR rates tend to increase as size of the animal decreases Example: Pulse rate of elephant: 35 vs. mouse: 534

Temperature Shows signs of infection or other problems Hypothermia – below normal body temperature Hyperthermia – above normal temperature and cause body to have fever (can be signs of infection, stroke, or toxicity) Heat stroke – considered when body temperature exceeds 105 degrees Core body temperature is evaluated by taking rectal temperature and the animal should remain standing

Temperature Procedure Wipe the thermometer with alcohol and shake it down until the mercury is below 98 degrees Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly Gently insert the thermometer into the rectum and hold it securely in place for three minutes Remove the thermometer and wipe with a paper towel Slowly rotate the thermometer until the mercury is visible and take the reading

Pulse Number of times the heart beats per minute Taken by locating an artery Femoral artery on dogs and cats (inside of hind leg at top of thigh) Maxillary artery for large animals (under the jaw of horse and on the outside of jaw on cow) Ventral tail vein and lower jaw (mandibular) used to take a pulse in cattle and sheep Heart rate is the number of times the heart relaxes and contracts in a minute taken with a stethoscope

Pulse Procedure Using your index and middle fingers, gently roll them over the artery feeling for the pulse Count the number of pulses for 15 seconds Multiply the number of pulses in 15 seconds by 4 to get beats/minute

Respiration How many breaths in a minute Evaluated by looking at: Rate of respiration Depth – degree of chest effort needed to take a breath (deep, shallow) Character – slow, rapid, normal Eupnea – normal breathing Dyspnea – difficulty breathing (shallow, rapid breaths with increased chest effort) Tachypnea – rapid breathing

Respiration Procedure Observe the rise and fall of the chest Count the number of breaths for 15 seconds Multiply the number of respiration by 4 to get breaths/minute

Normal Core Body Temperature °F Normal Respiratory Rates Species Normal Core Body Temperature °F Normal Heart Rates Normal Respiratory Rates Dog 101-102 70-180 16-20 Cat 101-102.5 170-240 20-30 Rabbit 102-104 130-325 32-60 Guinea Pig 100-103 240-350 40-150 Horse 99-100.5 35-45 8-16 Cow 101-101.5 60-70 10-30 Sheep 102-102.5 60-80 12-20 Goat 103-103.5 70-80 Pig 8-15 Chicken 105-106 200-400 15-30 Hamster 250-500 35-135 Checking your pet’s vital signs: CRT & TPR

12 Areas to Examine 1. General Appearance – is there a healthy overall appearance? Are eyes bright and coat shiny? Is animal obese or thin? 2. Integumentary (skin) – is the coat shiny and full or is it dull and brittle? Are there any bald patches, rashes, or flaking skin? 3. Muscoskeleton (muscles and skeletal structure) – is there a history of lameness or any visible lameness? Broken bones? 4. Circulatory – coughing, fainting, dyspnea, and murmurs are all signs of circulatory problems

5. Respiratory – coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, exercise intolerance, and cyanosis are signs of possible respiratory problems 6. Digestive – is the animal eating normally? Have there been diet changes? Was a toxin (rat poison, antifreeze) ingested? Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of digestive upset 7. Genitourinary (genitals and urinary system) – abnormal discharge, smell, or color as well as swelling and inability or difficulty in urinating and defecating are signs of problems

8. Nervous system – seizures, changes in behavior, difficulty walking, head tilt 9. Lymph nodes – enlarged? 10. Ears – discharge, unusual odor, or head shaking? 11. Eyes – is there excessive tearing or discharge? Are there any visual deficits? 12. Mouth – are gums and teeth healthy? Are mucous membranes moist and pink? Very red, cyanotic, or pale membranes are abnormal

Blood Pressure Tension exerted by blood on the arterial walls and is measured by a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) Systolic – ventricles contract Diastolic – ventricles relax

Mucous Membranes, Capillary Refill, & Weight Mucous membranes – color of animal’s gums Capillary refill time – place a finger on gums with a small amount of pressure allowing area to turn white Normal 1-2 minutes Weight assessment – animals are evaluated to check for obesity or thin body conditions Use appropriate scale or weight tape

Auscultation Stethoscope is used to listen to the chest area Heart area can be located by taking the front leg and pulling it back to the chest or thorax area and where the elbow hits the chest (evaluate left and right side) Arrhythmia – fluctuations in the heart rate Murmurs – abnormal heart sounds Bradycardia – slow heart rate Tachycardia – fast heart rate Dogs have normal arrhythmia where the heart rate increases on inspiration and decreases on expiration

Lungs Use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds of respiration Normal lung sounds are louder during inspiration and sound like “rustling leaves” Two main types of abnormal sounds: Crackles – most often heard in connection with fluid accumulation in the lungs and pneumonia Wheezes – result of decreased airflow from an obstruction or asthma

Eyes & Ears Eye Exam Normal eyes are clear and responsive Jaundice – yellowing of the skin PLR (pupillary light response) – normal called direct PLR and abnormal called indirect PLR Ears – note any smell, swelling, redness, or discharge

Dental Exam Check for tooth problems Plaque – soft building of material on surfaces of teeth Calculus (tartar) – mineralized plaque Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums Tooth abscess – roots of teeth can have a problem when a tooth is broken

Anatomy of a Tooth

Dental Care Veterinary assistant is responsible for: Preventive care Teeth brushing Daily dental care and brushing Feed a hard, dry diet Provide hard treats, dental toys, or bones

Proper Brushing Never use human toothpaste Use toothbrush for the species Only the buccal, labial, and occlusal surfaces are brushed Buccal – outer area near cheek Occlusal – top area of teeth Labial – front area covered by the lips

Large Animals Require floating Filing the sharp areas of the teeth Requires special training Horses generally need this type of dental care

Dental Prophylaxis Responsibility of the veterinary technician Veterinary assistants may be asked to assist but should not perform the procedures on their own The animal is placed under anesthesia The teeth are examined and then scaled and polished

Fluid Administration Used to replace fluids related to illness or dehydration IV placement is done by the veterinary technician The veterinary assistant should be able to monitor the IV catheter and the fluid line Subcutaneous Fluid Therapy

Subcutaneous Fluid Therapy Treatment for: Kidney disease Urine collection Minimal vomiting and diarrhea Lactated Ringer’s Solution most commonly used Absorption rate is generally 6 to 8 hours

IV Catheter Monitoring Catheter is place in the vein to administer fluids and medication into the bloodstream Procedure done by veterinary technician or veterinarian Assistant is responsible for: Monitoring patency – proper flow, device is intact, and useable Monitor rate of flow Checking and changing the bandages Observation of damage to site or signs of infection or swelling

IV Fluid Monitoring Veterinary assistant should monitor Flow rate Notations of volume administered Macrodrip delivers 15 drops of fluid per milliliter

Microdrip Microdrip delivers 60 drops of fluid per milliliter Euthanasia (process of putting an animal to sleep using humane methods by means of a painless death) Should be as pain and stress-free as possible Staff should be supportive and remember client confidentiality Exam room should be prepared with box of tissues, blanket/towel, chairs for family members, and other needs

Place cadaver bags out of sight of family Prepare to sedate if necessary Watch for agonal respirations – gasps of breath while respiratory system shuts down Remove collars and ensure proper identification of the animal for burial, cremation, hospital care, or client return

Grooming Procedures Review basic grooming procedures including: Brushing Combing Bathing Ear cleaning Brushing teeth Trimming nails

Expressing Anal Glands Located on either side of the rectum Lie ventrally and slightly anterior to the skin at 4 and 8 o’clock positions Wear gloves and gently palpate the ventral and lateral sides of the anus, the tail is held upward and out of the way Place a paper towel over the area and gently press the fingers while squeezing each sac Note the secretion, color and consistency