Animal Biology and Care

Preface xxv

Acknowledgments xxvii

About the Companion Website xxix

Section 1 Animal Biology 1

1 Cells and Basic Tissues 3

What Is Biology? 3

Biology is the study of life and living organisms 3

How do we define life? 3

Cell Diversity 4

Types of cells found in the animal body 6

Summary of cells 7

Animal Tissues 8

Epithelial tissue 8

Types of epithelial tissue 9

Connective tissue 9

Structure of connective tissue 10

Ground/extracellular matrix 10

Types of connective tissue 11

Blood 12

Composition of blood 13

Components of blood 14

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) 14

White blood cells (leucocytes) 15

Functions of WBC 15

Bone and Cartilage 16

Bone 16

Cartilage 16

Muscle tissue 17

Skeletal muscle tissue 18

Tendons 18

Ligaments 19

Smooth Muscle 19

Cardiac Muscle 20

Nervous Tissue 20

Additional structures 21

Summary of Tissues 21

2 Movement of Materials Within the Body 23

Diffusion 23

Osmosis 24

Osmotic pressure 25

Endocytosis 25

Phagocytosis 26

Pinocytosis 26

Active Transport 26

Summary of Transport Processes 27

Body Fluid 27

Acids and bases in the body 27

Tissue fluid and the lymphatic system 28

The Lymphatic System 28

Functions of the lymphatic system 30

Summary of Movement of Materials 31

3 Body Systems and Functions 33

The Circulatory System 33

Blood vessels 34

Arteries 35

Veins 35

Capillaries 35

Blood vessel location names 36

The Mammalian Heart 36

Heartbeat 38

Heart sounds 39

Heart structure of non-mammalian species 39

Summary of the Circulatory System 40

The Respiratory System 42

Characteristics of respiratory surfaces 42

The role of breathing and the circulatory system 43

The respiratory organs of mammals 43

The upper respiratory tract 43

The nasal passages 43

The bronchial tree 44

The alveolar ducts 44

Gas exchange in the lungs 45

Breathing: ventilation of the lungs 45

Diaphragm 46

Ribs 46

Respiration 47

The modern definition of respiration 47

Respiratory system in birds 47

Respiratory system in reptiles 47

Respiratory system in amphibians 48

Respiratory system in fish 48

Summary of the respiratory system 49

The Digestive System 50

Digestion of food 52

Digestive enzymes 52

Comparative digestive anatomy 53

Monogastric digestive tract 54

The mouth 55

Dentition 55

Types of teeth 55

Dental formula 56

The oesophagus 57

The stomach 57

The small intestines 57

The caecum 58

The large intestines 58

The liver 59

Functions of the liver 59

The pancreas 61

Summary of the digestive system 61

The urinary system 61

The kidneys 61

The nephron 62

Summary of the urinary system 64

The Nervous System 64

Reflex action or arc 66

Central nervous system 66

The brain 66

The spinal cord 67

Protection of the brain and spinal cord 67

Peripheral nervous system 68

Voluntary nervous system 68

Involuntary or autonomic nervous system 68

Summary of the nervous system 69

The Endocrine System 69

Endocrine glands 70

Pituitary gland 70

Thyroid gland 71

Parathyroid glands 71

Adrenal gland 71

The pancreas 71

Pineal gland 71

Gonads 72

Summary of the endocrine system 73

The Sense Organs 73

Inside the body 73

Outside the body 73

The eye 73

Protection of the eyes 74

Structures of the eye 74

The ear 75

Outer ear 76

Middle ear 76

Inner ear 76

Other senses 76

The Integumentary System 78

Functions of the skin 78

Structure of the skin 79

Hair 79

Sweat glands 79

Summary of the Sense Organs 79

The Skeleton 79

Bone structure 81

Joints 82

Summary of the Skeleton 84

The Reproductive System 85

The reproductive process 85

Production of ova (eggs) 87

Production of sperm 88

The breeding cycle 89

Oestrus 89

The stages of oestrus 89

Signs of heat/oestrus 90

Summary of the reproductive system 90

Homeostasis 90

Internal Environment 90

Summary of homeostasis 91

4 Basic Genetics 93

What Are Genetics? 93

Why Are Genetics Important? 93

Important Events in the History of Genetics 93

Mendel’s first law 94

Mendel’s second law 94

Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA 94

Genetic Terms 95

Cell Division 95

Mitosis 96

Meiosis 97

Comparison of mitosis and meiosis 99

Breeding and Genetics 99

Punnett Squares 100

Genetic mutations 101

Gene interactions 102

Summary of Genetics 102

5 Veterinary Terminology 105

Veterinary Terminology 105

Common prefixes 106

Common suffixes 106

Examples of prefix and suffix use 106

Terms linked to body organs and systems 106

Anatomical Directions 107

Limb movements 108

Body Cavities 108

Thoracic cavity 108

Abdominal cavity 109

Pelvic region 109

Cavity linings 109

Summary of Veterinary Terminology 110

Section 2 Animal Health 111

6 Animal Welfare and Legislation 113

Definition of Animal Welfare 113

Case 1 113

Case 2 114

Case 3 114

Case 4 114

How Is Animal Welfare Assessed? 114

Indicators of good welfare 114

Indicators of poor welfare 115

Animal Welfare Legislation 115

Animal Welfare Act 2006 116

The Five Animal Needs 116

Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 118

Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 119

Pet Abduction Act 2024 120

Control of Dogs Order 1992 120

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 121

Guard Dogs Act 1975 121

Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, Amended 2010 122

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (cites) 1973 122

Zoo Licensing Act 1981 123

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 124

Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, amended 1982 124

The Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 125

Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 125

Animal Health Act 1981 126

Animals Act 1971 127

The Pet Travel Scheme 127

Travelling to an EU country from Great Britain 127

Travelling to a non-EU country from Great Britain 128

Animal Welfare Organisations 128

Animal Rights 129

Summary of Animal Welfare and Legislation 130

7 Basic Animal Nutrition 131

Proteins 132

What are proteins? 132

Where does dietary protein originate from? 132

What is the function of protein? 133

What are the signs of protein deficiency in the diet? 133

Carbohydrates 133

What are carbohydrates? 133

Where does dietary carbohydrate originate from? 134

What is the function of carbohydrates? 134

What are the signs of carbohydrate deficiency in the diet? 134

Fats/Lipids 134

What are fats? 134

Where does dietary fat/lipid originate from? 134

What is the function of fats/lipids? 135

What are the signs of fat/lipid deficiency in the diet? 135

Vitamins 135

What are vitamins? 135

What are the signs of dietary vitamin deficiency? 137

Minerals 137

What are minerals? 137

Where do dietary minerals originate from? 138

What is the function of minerals? 138

What are the signs of mineral deficiency in the diet? 139

Water 139

Nutrition for Life Stages 140

Growing animals 140

Adult 141

Working animals 141

Senior/geriatric animals 142

Pregnancy 142

Lactation 143

Summary of Basic Animal Nutrition 144

8 Basic Animal Health Care 145

Assessing the Health Status of an Animal 145

Behavioural indicators 146

Physical indicators 146

Signs of pain 146

Physiological indicators 147

Signs of health in animals 147

What is being looked for in each area? 148

Suggested health routines 148

Factors affecting health status 148

Hygiene 148

Exercise provision 149

Companionship 151

Prophylactic treatments 152

Vaccination 152

Parasite treatments 153

Microchipping 153

Summary of Basic Animal Health Care 155

9 Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration 157

Temperature 157

How Is Temperature Assessed? 158

Thermometers 158

Pulse 161

Terms relating to pulse rate 162

Respiration 163

Summary of TPR 165

10 Disease Transmission and Control 167

How Can Infection Be Transmitted? 167

Vertical transmission 168

Horizontal transmission 168

Transmission through direct contact 168

Indirect contact 168

How Does Infection Enter the Animal? 169

How Does Infection Leave the Animal? 169

Continuous excretors 170

Intermittent excretors 170

Incubation of Disease 170

Infection 170

Resistance to infection 171

Methods of infection control 171

Infection terms 171

Diagnosis of Disease 171

Basic Animal Treatments 172

Choice of medication 172

Types of medication 172

Routes of drug administration 173

Oral administration 173

Topical administration 173

Parenteral administration 174

General Guidelines When Dealing with Medicines 174

Summary of Disease Transmission and Control 174

11 Hygiene and Husbandry 175

What Are Disinfectants and Antiseptics? 175

Key Terms Relating to Hygiene 176

Disinfectants 177

What are the properties of an ideal disinfectant? 177

Do disinfectants always work? 177

Disinfectants are most effective when 177

Which disinfectant to choose? 178

What types of disinfectant are there? 178

Phenols 178

Aldehydes 178

Peroxides 179

Halogens 179

Quaternary ammonium compounds 179

What precautions should be taken when using a disinfectant? 179

COSHH sheets 179

Dilution rates 179

How do disinfectants work? 180

Disinfection and cleaning of the animal’s environment 180

What equipment is needed for cleaning animal housing? 180

What is the correct way to clean animal housing? 181

Antiseptics 181

Which antiseptic to choose? 181

What types of antiseptics are there? 181

Quaternary ammonium compounds 181

Iodophors – Iodine-based compounds (e.g. Povidine scrub, Betadine) 182

Alcohol Gel 182

Summary of Hygiene and Husbandry 182

12 Basic Microbiology 183

What Is Microbiology? 183

Microbial Terms 183

Bacteria 184

Structure of bacteria 184

Bacterial reproduction 184

Binary fission 185

Conjugation or bacterial mating 185

Bacterial terms 186

Viruses 188

Fungi 189

Protozoa 189

Summary of Basic Microbiology 190

13 Diseases of Domestic Animals 191

Immunity 191

Cells of the immune system 191

Types of immunity 193

Innate immunity 193

Adaptive immunity 194

How is immunity acquired? 194

Passive immunity 194

Active immunity 194

Vaccination 194

Summary of Immunity 195

Terms Related to Disease 195

Bacterial Diseases 196

Canine leptospirosis 196

Salmonella infection 197

Campylobacter infection 197
Escherichia coli infection 198

Kennel cough 198

Feline infectious anaemia 199

Pasteurellosis 199

Wet tail in hamsters 200

Psittacosis 200

Mouth rot 201

Viral Diseases 201

Canine distemper 201

Canine viral hepatitis 202

Canine parvovirus 203

Chlamydiosis (feline pneumonitis) 203

Feline immunodeficiency virus 204

Feline infectious enteritis 205

Feline infectious peritonitis 205

Feline leukaemia virus 206

Feline viral respiratory diseases 207

Feline calicivirus 207

Feline herpes virus 208

Rabies 208

Myxomatosis 209

Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease 210

Ferret distemper 210

Ferret influenza 211

Psittacine beak and feather disease 211

Adenovirus infections 211

Fungal Diseases 212

Ringworm (dermatophytosis) 212

Candidiasis 212

Aspergillosis 213

Protozoal Diseases 213

Coccidiosis 213

Cryptosporidiosis 214

Giardiasis 214

Prion Disease 214

Vaccinations for dogs 215

Vaccinations for cats 215

Vaccinations for rabbits 215

Vaccinations for ferrets 216

Summary of Diseases 216

14 Zoonotic Diseases 217

Definition of Terms 217

Zoonoses 217

Prevention of zoonotic diseases 217

Anthropoonoses 218

Prevention of anthroponotic diseases 219

Notifiable Diseases in Animals 219

Examples of notifiable animal disease in the United Kingdom 219

Summary of Zoonotic Diseases 220

15 Parasitology 221

What Is Parasitology? 221

Parasitology Terms 221

External Parasites 222

Fleas 222

Common flea species 222

Diagnosing fleas 222

Prevention and treatment of fleas 223

Ticks 223

Common species of ticks 224

Treatment of ticks 225

Lice 225

Common species of lice 226

The louse’s life cycle 226

Diagnosis and treatment of a louse infestation 226

Mites 226

Common species of mites 226

The mite’s life cycle 226

Treatment of mites 226

Flies 228

Ectoparasites in Birds 228

Mites 228

Lice 228

Flies 228

Ticks 228

Ectoparasites in Reptiles 228

Mites 229

Flies 229

Ticks 229

Internal Parasites 229

Roundworms 229

Roundworms in the United Kingdom 230

Preventing toxocariasis 230

Lungworms 231

Hookworms 231

Whipworms 231

Heartworms 231

Bladder/liver worms (Capillaria species) 232

Tapeworms 232

Tapeworms in the United Kingdom 232

Tapeworms in other animals 233

Treatment of tapeworms 233

Summary of Parasites 234

16 First Aid Care 235

First Aid 235

Classifying First Aid Situations 236

Very severe 236

Severe 236

Serious 236

Major 236

Initial Management of First Aid Situations 236

Recovery Position for an Animal 237

Initial Assessment 237

DRABC checks 237

Body scan 238

Life-saving Techniques 239

Cardiac compressions (heart massage) 239

Respiratory arrest 241

Artificial respiration 241

Mouth-to-nose technique 241

Movement of an Animal Requiring First Aid 242

Small dogs, cats, rabbits, and smaller pets 242

Medium-sized dogs or other animals 243

Large breeds of dog or similar sized animals 243

Transporting injured birds and reptiles 245

Situations Requiring First Aid for Animals 246

Poisons 246

Signs of poisoning 246

Insect stings 247

Bleeding 248

Stopping bleeding 249

Shock 249

Heat stroke (hyperthermia) 251

Hypothermia 252

Bone fractures 252

Types of fracture 252

Wounds 254

Types of wounds 254

Stages of wound healing 255

Wound care 255

Burns and scalds 255

Eye injuries 256

Chemicals 256

Prolapsed eyeball 256

Perforating injury 257

Summary of First Aid Care 257

17 Basic Bandaging 259

Reasons for Bandaging 259

Aims of Bandaging 260

Rules for Bandaging 261

Summary of Basic Bandaging 264

18 Isolation and Quarantine 265

Isolation 265

Quarantine 266

Summary of Isolation and Quarantine 268

19 Care of the Hospitalised Patient 269

Hygiene 269

Basic room cleaning procedure 270

Observation 273

Animal welfare 273

Recumbent patients 277

Nursing care plans 278

Handling hospitalised patients 279

Isolation and barrier nursing 279

Recordkeeping 279

Summary of Care of the Hospitalised Patient 280

20 Medication for Animals 281

Routes of Administration 282

Administering medication 282

Pharmacology and Dispensing of Drugs 284

Drug administration 284

Labels for drug containers 285

Handling and dispensing of drugs 285

Legal aspects 285

Small Animal Exemption Scheme 287

Drug Resistance 287

Drugs Glossary 288

Summary of Medications 288

Section 3 Animal Husbandry 289

21 Animal Handling and Restraint 291

Why Do We Handle Animals? 291

Why Do We Need to Restrain Animals? 292

Approaching an Animal for Handling 292

Examples of Behaviour Seen When Animals Are Unwilling to Be Handled 292

Handling Procedures 293

Cats 293

Dogs 294

Ferrets 296

Gerbils 297

Guinea pigs 297

Hamsters 298

Rabbits 298

Rats 298

Reptiles 298

Lizards 299

Snakes 301

Restraining the Dog and Cat 301

For general examinations 301

Handling to examine limbs, chest, and abdomen (lateral position) 301

Handling for subcutaneous injections 301

Handling for intramuscular injection 301

Handling for intravenous injection 302

Transferring an animal from basket to examination surface 302

Restraint Equipment for Animals 304

Summary of Animal Handling and Restraint 307

22 Grooming and Coat Care 309

Reasons for Grooming 309

Main Aims of Grooming 310

Grooming Dogs 310

The dog’s coat 310

Grooming for different coat types 311

Smooth coat 311

Short coat 312

Double coat 312

Wiry coat 312

Silky coat 313

Woolly/curly coat 313

Grooming equipment 314

Brushes 314

Combs 316

Cutting equipment 316

Grooming procedure in dogs 320

Nail clipping 321

Nail clipping process 321

Brushing the coat 322

Bathing 322

Bathing technique in dogs 325

Cats 327

The cat’s coat 327

Grooming procedure in cats 328

Short coat 328

Long-haired and semi-long-haired coat 328

Curly coat 328

Wire coat 328

Hairless coat 329

Bathing a cat 329

Warning 329

Grooming Small Mammals 330

Summary of Grooming and Coat Care 330

23 Feeding Animals 331

General Considerations for Feeding Animals 331

Before feeding 331

Types of Food 332

Animal supplements 334

Animal treats 335

How much food to provide? 336

Methods of feeding 336

Food storage 337

Summary of Feeding Animals 338

24 Other Animals Kept as Pets 339

Basic Husbandry for Other Animals 339

Housing 339

Promoting health 340

Small Mammals 340

Ferrets 341

Biological data 342

Anatomical facts: Ferrets 342

Teeth 342

Senses 342

Skeleton 342

Sweat glands 342

Housing ferrets 342

Feeding ferrets 343

Handling ferrets 343

Sexing ferrets 343

Gerbils 343

Biological data 344

Anatomical facts: Gerbils 344

Teeth 344

Scent glands 344

Adrenal glands 344

Hind legs 344

Tail 345

Eyes 345

Hearing 345

Housing gerbils 345

Feeding gerbils 345

Handling gerbils 346

Sexing gerbils 346

Guinea pigs 346

Biological data: Guinea pigs 347

Anatomical facts: Guinea pigs 347

Teeth 347

Tail 347

Scent glands 347

Pelvis 347

Housing guinea pigs 347

Feeding guinea pigs 349

Handling guinea pigs 349

Sexing guinea pigs 349

Hamsters 349

Biological data: Hamsters 350

Anatomical facts: Hamsters 351

Teeth 351

Mouth 351

Eyes 351

Scent glands 351

Housing hamsters 351

Feeding hamsters 352

Handling hamsters 352

Sexing hamsters 353

Mice 354

Biological data: Mice 354

Anatomical facts: Mice 354

Teeth 354

Eyes 354

Feet 354

Housing mice 355

Feeding mice 355

Handling mice 356

Sexing mice 356

Rabbits 356

Biological data: Rabbits 357

Anatomical facts: Rabbits 357

Eyes 357

Ears 357

Teeth 357

Body cavities 357

Skeleton 358

Scent glands 359

Housing rabbits 359

Feeding rabbits 360

Handling rabbits 361

Sexing rabbits 362

Rats 362

Biological data: Rats 362

Anatomical facts: Rats 363

Teeth 363

Long bones 363

Digestive tract 363

Housing rats 363

Feeding rats 364

Handling rats 364

Sexing rats 364

Birds 365

Anatomical facts: Birds 365

Skeleton 365

Digestive tract 365

Respiratory system 366

Housing for birds 367

Budgerigars 368

Biological data: Budgerigars 368

Anatomical facts: Budgerigars 369

Beak 369

Feeding budgerigars 369

Handling budgerigars 369

Sexing budgerigars 370

Canaries 370

Biological data: Canaries 370

Anatomical facts: Canaries 370

Beak 370

Feeding canaries 370

Fish 371

Anatomical data: Fish 371

External anatomical features 371

Head types 372

Internal anatomical features 372

Tropical freshwater fish 372

Coldwater fish 373

Goldfish 373

Koi 373

Considerations when setting up an aquarium 373

Setting up the aquarium 376

The nitrogen cycle in an aquarium 376

Feeding fish 377

Aquarium tank maintenance 377

Daily 377

Every 2 weeks 377

Once a month 377

Every 8–12 months 377

Reptiles 377

Housing reptiles 378

Heating the vivarium 379

Humidity in the vivarium 380

Lighting in the vivarium 380

Hygiene and cleaning in the vivarium 380

Feeding reptiles 381

Handling reptiles 382

Summary of Other Animals Kept as Pets 382

Section 4 The Animal Industry 383

25 The Animal Industry 385

The Diversity of the UK Animal Industry 385

Animal health care and veterinary services 385

Animal welfare organisations 386

Farm livestock 387

Pet care and retail 387

Wildlife conservation and zoological collections 387

Summary of the Animal Industry 388

26 Employability Skills in the Animal Industry 389

Employability Skills 389

Summary of Employability Skills 391

Further Reading 393

Section 1 393

SectionS 2 and 3 394

Section 4 398

Index 399