Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

The author Teresa Sonsthagen is retired as the Co-director and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Animal Sciences in the Veterinary Technology Program at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, USA.

• Preface ixAcknowledgments xiAbout the Companion Website xiii1 Professional Conduct and Foundation Skills 1Determining Your Role in a Veterinary Practice 1Meeting Employer Expectations – 10 Behaviors to Master 4Professional Appearance 8Effective Communication Skills Within the Veterinary Practice 10Verbal Communication 10Non‐verbal Communication 10Client Communication 10Written Communication 11Computer Competency 11Use and Misuse of Social Media 12Determining Credible Web Sources 12Anticipation of Workflow 12Application of Veterinary Ethics 13Human–Animal Bond 13Grief Process 14Foundation Skills – Veterinary Practice Math and Medical Terminology 14Basic Math Used in the Veterinary Practice 14Estimating 16Volume Measurements – Dilutions 16Drug Calculation 18Medical Terminology 182 Laws, Policies, and OSHA Standards Affecting Veterinary Practice 21Laws and Regulations for Veterinary Practices 21Federal Laws 21State Laws 23Common or Case Law 24Local Ordnances 25Guidelines of Practice from Veterinary Organizations 26Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Workplace Safety 26Labeling 27Personal Protection Equipment 273 Veterinary Business Protocols 33Front Office Skills 34Telephone Skills 34Scheduling Appointments 35Handling Non‐Client Calls 37Client Interactions at the Facility 38Arrivals 38Admitting Patients 39Discharging Clients 39Veterinary Medical Record Keeping Procedures 40Computerized Versus Paper Patient Records 40Paper Patient Record Assembly 41Paper Filing Systems 41Chronological Order or SOAP File Format 42Transferring Medical Records 42Forms, Certificates, and Logs 43Day’s End Protocols 45Inventory Control 46Daily Inventory Control 47Ordering Supplies 48Receiving Shipments 48Handling Shipments and Invoices 48Restocking Shelves 484 Facility and Equipment Maintenance – Cleaning for Disease Control 51Basic Cleanliness and Orderliness 52Cleaning 54Disinfecting 54Hospital Waste – Non‐Hazardous versus Hazardous 55Cleaning Techniques When Caring for Hospitalized Animals 57Order of Cleaning 57Facility Maintenance 60Hospital Laundry 61Equipment Maintenance 625 Anatomy and Physiology 73“Speaking” Anatomy 73Body Systems 75Skeletal System 75Muscular System 78Cardiovascular System 78Respiratory System 81Immune System 81Digestive System 82Urinary System 84Reproductive System 85Nervous System 86Endocrine System 88Integumentary System 88Suggested Reading 896 Introduction to Animals 91Scientific Classification of Animals 91Phenotypes 92Introduction to Genetics 94Breeds of Animals 96Herding Group 96Hound Group 96Non‐Sporting Group 97Sporting Group 97Terrier Group 99Working Group 100Toy Group 101Cat Breeds 101Pocket Pets 104Determining the Sex of Companion Animals 1077 Feeds and Feeding 111Essential Nutrients –The Basics 112Understanding Pet Food Labels 113Learning to Read Labels 113List of Ingredients 114Adequacy Statement 114Feeding Guidelines 115Dry Matter Basis 115Application of Basic Nutrition 115Calorie Requirements 115How Much to Feed 116Prescription Diets 117Feeding the Hospitalized Patient 117Water Availability and Consumption 119Feeding Livestock and Poultry 119Feeding Other Species 120References 120Suggested Reading 1208 Restraint of Animals 121Restraint of Companion Animals 122Patient Defenses 122Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Companion Animals 123Utilize Fear Free Techniques 129Safely Moving Patients from One Location to Another 131General Restraint Techniques for Dogs and Cats 133Restraint for Examinations, Medications, and Procedures 134Restraint Equipment 139Restraint of Pocket Pets 143Restraint of Pet Birds 143Restraint of Livestock 144Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Livestock 145Restraint Techniques for Horses and Livestock 146Reference 151Suggested Reading 1519 Knots and Ropes 153Knot Tying Terminology 153Types of Ropes 154Prevent Fraying 154Hanking a Rope 156Types of Knots and Hitches 157Types of Knots 157Hitches 162Suggested Reading 16510 Management of Hospitalized and Boarding Pets 167Housing Requirements – Kennel Set‐up 168Water and Food Consumption – Elimination 168Environmental Considerations 169Socialization and Exercising Hospitalized Patients 170Patient Care Based on Reason for Being in the Hospital 170Boarding 170Surgical Patients 171Recumbent Patient Care 171Constipated Patients – Enemas 172Contagious Patients 173Feral and Quarantine Animal Housing 173Pocket Pets and Birds 174Treatments and Procedures 174Medical Records 174Understanding the Disease Process 174Treatment Plan Protocols 175In‐hospital Grooming 179Combing and Brushing 179Clipping Hair or Fur 179Identifying Ectoparasites 180Bathing and Dipping 181Collection of Fecal and Urine Samples 182Pain Evaluation and Monitoring 183Discharging Patients 184Veterinary Hospice Care 184Euthanasia and Post Mortem Protocols 185After the Euthanasia 186Reference 187Suggested Reading 18711 Clinical Techniques 189Toenail Trimming 190Clipping Birds’ Wings 191Expressing Anal Glands 192Administration of Medications 193Ear Cleaning and Medicating 194Topical Medications 196Oral Medications 197Ophthalmic Medications 200Syringes and Needles 201Preparing Syringe and Needle for Use 203Solution Bottle Preparation 204Preparing Vaccines 204Injections 205Subcutaneous Injections 206Subcutaneous Fluid Administration 206Intramuscular Injections 207Intranasal Infusion 208Monitoring IV Fluid Administration and IV Catheter Maintenance 208Wound Care and Bandaging 210Apply a Simple Bandage 211Bandage Failure 214Bandage Removal 214Emergency Support 214Maintenance of Crash Cart Kit or Emergency Station 215Suggested Reading 21512 Laboratory Skills 217Maintenance of Stain Sets 218Staining Protocol 219Laboratory Log Book 219Maintenance of the Common Laboratory Equipment in the Veterinary Lab 220Binocular Microscope 220Centrifuge 221Refractometer 222Sample Collection 222Parasitology 223Blood Collection and Handling 229Equipment Set‐up 229Blood Sample Handling 230Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Determinations 234Serologic Test Kits 235Urine Collection 235Microbiology – Sample Collection 238Necropsy: Preparation and Follow‐Up 240Preparing Samples for Shipment to Reference Laboratory 241Vaginal Cytology Collection 24213 Pharmacy Skills 243Controlled Drugs 244Reading a Prescription 245Labeling a Prescription Container 246Safe Handling of Dispensed Drugs 247Prescription Packaging 248Explaining Prescriptions to the Owner 248Classification of Medications 250Suggested Reading 25014 Surgical Room Skills 251Cleaning and Maintaining the Surgery Suite 252Gas Anesthesia Machine 255Cleaning the Surgical Instruments 256Assembling Surgical Packs 257Cold Sterilization 269Surgery Skills and Maintaining an Aseptic Environment 270Pre‐Surgical Phase 270Peri‐Surgical Phase 274Post‐Surgical Phase 278Post‐Surgical Emergencies 279Client Communication 279Removing Sutures 279Reference 28115 Dental Skills for the Veterinary Assistant 283Assistant’s Role in Veterinary Dentistry 283Dental Anatomy 283Dental Terminology 284Directional Terms 284Dental Formulas 285Age Approximation Based on Dental Eruption 285Head Type 285Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance 285Preparation of Dental Instruments 287Sharpening Hand Instruments 287Power Scalers 287Selection of the Correct Handpiece Tip 288Air‐Driven Dental Units 288Dental Prophylaxis 289Polishing Follows Dental Cleaning 289Charting the Oral Examination 289Triadan Numbering System 289Anatomical Numbering System 290Charting Symbols 291Basics of Pocket Pet Dentistry 292Dental Formula for Pocket Pets 292Ferret Dentition 292Hedgehog Dentition 292Intraoral Radiography 293Patient Positioning for Dental Radiography 293Manual Developing of Dental Radiographs 294Patient Care and Clean‐up 294Client Education 294Daily Dental Care 295Dental Patient Discharge Instructions 295Suggested Reading 29516 Diagnostic Imaging and Endoscopy 297Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging 298Digital Radiography 298Advanced Imaging Technologies 298Quality Assurance 299Radiation Safety 299Radiography Abbreviations 301Radiography Procedure 302Radiography Log 302Measuring the Anatomy with Calipers 302Setting Exposure Factors Using the Technique Charts 303Cassette Selection 304Film Labeling 304Taking a Radiograph 304Developing Radiographic Film 306Cassette Routine Maintenance 307Patient Film Filing 307Darkroom Maintenance 307Checking for Light Leaks 308Processor Maintenance 308Diagnostic Ultrasonography 309Set‐up for Ultrasonography 309Endoscopy 310Introduction to Endoscopy 310Parts of an Endoscope 310Endoscopy Preparation 311Endoscopy: Post Procedure 312Gas Sterilization 314Cold (Liquid) Sterilization 314End of Procedure Cleaning 315References 315Suggested Reading 315Appendix: Suffixes, Prefixes, and Anatomic Terms (Roots) 317Glossary 323Index 331

“The NAVTA guidelines listed at the beginning of each chapter will aid both students and instructors in locating information about essential skills. Each chapter also has sections entitled Information Check and Reflection and Stop and Think, which help readers use their critical thinking skills to fully understand the content….Overall, this book will be a good resource for students in veterinary assistant programs.” - JAVMA | DEC 15, 2020 | VOL 257 | NO. 12