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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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:
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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Normal Core Body Temperature °F Normal Respiratory Rates
Species
Normal Core Body Temperature °F
Normal Heart Rates
Normal Respiratory Rates
Dog
70-180
16-20
Cat
20-30
Rabbit
32-60
Guinea Pig
40-150
Horse
35-45
8-16
Cow
60-70
10-30
Sheep
60-80
12-20
Goat
70-80
Pig
8-15
Chicken
15-30
Hamster
35-135
Checking your pet’s vital signs: CRT & TPR

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. Anatomy of a Tooth

32. 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

33. 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

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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

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

40. 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

41. 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

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

43. 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