Textbook for the Veterinary Assistant

Acknowledgments xi

About the Companion Website xiii

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Veterinary (or Assistant) Profession 1

Ethics 3

References 3

Chapter 2 Medical Terminology 5

Medical terms 5

Prefixes 6

Suffixes 7

Root words 7

Common abbreviations used in veterinary medicine 8

References 9

Chapter 3 Anatomy 11

Anatomical directional terms 11

Skeletal system 13

Branches of science 14

Body systems 15

External anatomy 15

Common veins 16

Muscles 17

Internal organs 17

Urogenital system 18

Internal structures of the thorax 19

Conclusion 19

References 19

Chapter 4 Behavior, Handling, and Restraint 21

Social behavior 21

Animal body language 22

Fear Free® 28

Identification 30

Avian restraint 30

Reptile restraint 31

Rabbit restraint 31

Handling rodents 31

References 32

Chapter 5 Office Procedures and Telephone Techniques 33

Telephone techniques 34

Office procedures 35

References 37

Chapter 6 Nutrition 39

Overview 39

Proteins 39

Carbohydrates 40

Fats 40

Vitamins 40

Minerals 40

Water 41

Palatability 41

Recommendations 41

Weight management 42

Summary 48

References 48

Chapter 7 Breeds 49

Cat breeds 49

Dog breeds 58

References 61

Chapter 8 Breeding and Genetics 63

Introduction 63

Dogs 63

Cats 67

Determining gender in puppies and kittens 68

Breeding management 69

References 69

Chapter 9 General Nursing Care and Physical Exams 71

Taking a history 71

Physical exam 71

Determining and recording vitals 72

General nursing care 75

Common diseases 79

References 82

Chapter 10 Exam Room Procedures 83

Recognizing ectoparasites 83

Nail trimming 83

Ear cleaning 86

Eye medications 87

Anal glands 88

Bathing animals 89

Administering oral medications 89

Maintaining exam room equipment 90

Chapter 11 Immunology 93

Innate immunity 93

Acquired immunity 94

Cell-mediated immunity 94

Vaccination 94

References 95

Chapter 12 Laboratory Procedures 97

Laboratory considerations 97

Safety 97

Equipment 98

Quality control 100

Sample collection 100

References 104

Chapter 13 Pharmacology 105

Drug classifications 107

Storage and disposal of drugs 109

References 110

Chapter 14 Radiology 111

Radiology safety measures and guidelines 111

Cleaning screens 112

Labeling, filing, and storage of radiographs 112

Radiographic positioning 113

Processing 114

Quality control 116

Conclusion 117

References 117

Chapter 15 Surgical Assisting 119

The sterilization process 119

Wrapping a surgical pack 119

Cold sterilization 120

Instruments 121

Suture material and suture needles 122

Gowns and Drapes 123

The sterile field 125

Preparing for surgery 125

Opening and passing sterile items 127

Preparing the patient 128

Postsurgical procedures 129

Surgical positioning 130

Surgical monitoring 130

Surgical log 131

Surgical room conduct 131

Chapter 16 Avian, Exotics, and Rodents 133

Avian 133

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish 136

Rabbits 138

Guinea pigs 140

Mice and rats 141

Gerbils 142

Hamsters 143

Ferrets 143

Hedgehogs 144

Sugar gliders 144

Chinchillas 144

References 145

Resources 145

Chapter 17 Equine 147

Skeletal system 147

Digestive tract 149

Nutrition 149

Behavior and handling 151

Nursing care and husbandry of horses 152

References 153

Chapter 18 Preparing for Internships and Employment 155

Interview 155

Resumé writing 155

Cover letter 156

References 157

Resources 157

Chapter 19 Inventory 159

What will be inventoried in your clinic or hospital? 159

A well-run pharmacy 159

The want list 160

The veterinary assistant’s role 160

Drug inventory 161

Human versus computer: both needed! 162

Organizing inventory 162

References 163

Chapter 20 Euthanasia and Pet Loss 165

The five stages of grief 169

References 169

Chapter 21 Client Management 171

Evaluating your clients 171

Client management; essential skills for the veterinary assistant 172

Employee roles 172

References 173

Chapter 22 Medical Records 175

References 181

Chapter 23 Occupational Safety and Health Administration 183

What is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration? 183

Material safety data sheets 183

OSHA labeling of secondary containers 183

OSHA inspections 184

Common OSHA veterinary violations 184

Fines 184

References 184

Chapter 24 Pet Health Insurance 187

References 189

Resources 189

Glossary 191

Index 203