Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant 3rd Edition PDF provides practical, step-by-step instructions for preparing and performing a wide range of veterinary assisting tasks. With expanded coverage of large animal and exotic restraint, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and feeding, digital radiography, and electronic medical records and client communication, this revised edition now includes why and when to perform each task with the preparation and procedure information. The book includes everything from appearance and professional language to equipment maintenance and dental and surgical assisting, making it equally useful for learning new techniques or as a memory refresher.
Offering a detailed, comprehensive guide to all aspects of veterinary assisting, the book is written using an accessible, user-friendly style. A companion website offers figures from the book, downloadable flash cards, lesson plans, exams, a competency checklist, and concept maps. Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant is equally useful for acquiring new skills and gaining confidence in the veterinary practice, making it invaluable for veterinary assistant students and veterinary assistants of all experience levels.
Table of Contents
Contributors xvii
Preface xix
Acknowledgments xxi
About the companion website xxiii
Chapter 1 Foundation Skills 3 Tregel Cockburn
Task 1.1 Self-Assessment and Understanding of Foundation Skills 5
Task 1.2 Analysis of Veterinary Medical Terminology 6
Task 1.3 Review of Basic Math Skills 9
Task 1.4 Solving Common Veterinary Medical Math Problems 10
Task 1.5 Computers and Information Literacy 15
Task 1.6 Developing Technocompetency 17
Chapter 2 Professional Conduct 21 Oreta M. Samples
Task 2.1 Meeting Employer Expectations 23
Task 2.2 Using Common Courtesies 24
Task 2.3 Uses and Misuses of Social Media 26
Task 2.4 Applying the Human–Animal Bond 27
Task 2.5 Professional Appearance 29
Task 2.6 Using Appropriate Language 31
Task 2.7 The Role of the Veterinary Assistant 33
Task 2.8 Anticipating Work Flow 36
Task 2.9 Applying Veterinary Ethics 37
Chapter 3 Laws Affecting Veterinary Practice 41 Barb Burri
Task 3.1 Common Law 43
Task 3.2 Statutory Laws 44
Task 3.3 Substantive Law 44
Task 3.4 Federal Laws 46
Task 3.4.1 Occupational Safety and Health 48
Task 3.4.2 Product Safety Labels 49
Task 3.4.3 Personal Protective Equipment 51
Task 3.4.4 Universal Precautions 52
Task 3.4.5 Gloving and Ungloving 53
Task 3.5 State Laws 56
Task 3.5.1 Veterinary Practice Acts 56
Task 3.5.2 Public Health and Vaccination Laws 59
Task 3.5.3 State Animal Laws 60
Task 3.6 Local Ordinances 61
Chapter 4 Front Office Procedures 65 Paula Pattengale
Task 4.1 Medical Record Assembly 68
Task 4.2 Color Coding Medical Records 70
Task 4.3 Filing 72
Task 4.4 Appointment Scheduling 74
Task 4.5 Updating Client Information 77
Task 4.6 Intake Procedures 78
Task 4.7 The Signalment 80
Task 4.8 Release of Patient Information 82
Task 4.9 Rabies Certificates 84
Task 4.10 Health Certificates and Interstate Shipment of Animals 86
Task 4.11 Consent Forms 88
Task 4.12 Client Communications 90
Task 4.13 Patient Discharge 92
Task 4.14 Telephone Techniques 94
Task 4.15 Handling Difficult Clients 97
Task 4.16 Hospital Closing Procedures 99
Chapter 5 Disease Transmission, Control, and Prevention 103 Jennifer Serling
Task 5.1 Disease Transmission 105
Task 5.2 Levels of Sanitation and Sanitation Agents 108
Task 5.3 Cage and Kennel Cleaning 112
Task 5.4 Isolation Ward Rules and Sanitation 116
Task 5.5 Cleaning the Other Areas in the Veterinary Clinic 118
Task 5.6 Handling Hospital Laundry 121
Task 5.7 Hospital Waste: Hazardous and Nonhazardous 123
Chapter 6 Introduction to Animals 127 Tammie Pearce
Task 6.1 Scientific Classification 129
Chapter 7 Anatomy and Physiology 137 Barb Burri
Task 7.1 External Landmarks 139
Task 7.2 Directional Terms 141
Task 7.3 Cells and Tissues 142
Task 7.4 Skeletal System 143
Task 7.5 Muscular System 144
Task 7.6 Cardiovascular System 146
Task 7.7 Immune System 147
Task 7.8 Respiratory System 149
Task 7.9 Digestive System 150
Task 7.10 Urinary System 152
Task 7.11 Reproductive System 153
Task 7.12 Nervous System 154
Task 7.13 Endocrine System 155
Task 7.14 Integumentary System 156
Chapter 8 Nutrition 159 Paula Pattengale
Task 8.1 The Basics: Essential Nutrients 161
Task 8.2 How Much to Feed 163
Task 8.3 Determination of Basic Energy Requirements (BER) 164
Task 8.4 Determination of the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) or Caloric Needs of a Patient 165
Task 8.5 Feeding the Anorexic Patient 166
Task 8.6 Feeding Prescription Diets 167
Task 8.7 Reading a Pet Food Label 167
Task 8.8 Calculating the True Cost of Feeding a Pet 168
Task 8.9 Feeding Livestock and Poultry 169
Task 8.10 Examination of Forages for Quality 170
Task 8.11 Feeding of Other Species 171
Chapter 9 Ropes and Knots 173 Teresa Sonsthagen
Task 9.1 Knot Tying Terminology 175
Task 9.2 Types of Ropes 176
Task 9.3 Whipping 176
Task 9.4 Hanking a Rope 179
Task 9.5 Types of Knots and Hitches 180
Task 9.5.1 Halter Tie 180
Task 9.5.2 Square Knot 181
Task 9.5.3 Reefer’s Knot 183
Task 9.5.4 Sheet Bend Knot 185
Task 9.5.5 Bowline 187
Task 9.5.6 Bowline on a Bight 189
Task 9.5.7 Hitches 190
Task 9.5.8 Clove Hitch 192
Chapter 10 Animal Restraint 195 Teresa Sonsthagen
Task 10.1 Species Differences and Safety 197
Task 10.2 Deciding on a Restraint Technique 200
Task 10.3 Psychological Restraint 202
Task 10.4 Physical Restraint 203
Task 10.4.1 Patient Identification Procedure 204
Task 10.5 Patient Kenneling Techniques 205
Task 10.5.1 Placing a Dog or Cat into a Kennel 205
Task 10.5.2 Remove a Dog or Cat from a Kennel 206
Task 10.5.3 Placing a Larger Dog into a Run 207
Task 10.5.4 Removing a Large Dog from a Kennel 208
Task 10.6 Lifting Animals 209
Task 10.7 Restraint Procedures for Dogs and Cats 210
Task 10.7.1 General Restraint 211
Task 10.7.2 Head Restraint for Examination or Medications 213
Task 10.7.3 Recumbency Restraint 215
Task 10.7.4 Restraint for Injections 217
Task 10.7.5 Restraint for IV Injections, Venipuncture, and Catheterization 218
Task 10.8 Handling Fractious Patients 225
Task 10.8.1 Fractious Cats 225
Task 10.8.2 Fractious Dogs 227
Task 10.9 Elizabethan Collar, Neck Brace, and Hobbles 230
Task 10.10 Restraint Procedures for Other Species 232
Task 10.10.1 Haltering and Leading a Horse 232
Task 10.10.2 Rabbits 234
Task 10.10.3 Avian Restraint 236
Chapter 11 Patient Care I 241 Oreta M. Samples
Task 11.1 Medical Records 244
Task 11.1.1 Treatment Plan 245
Task 11.2 Working in the Treatment Room 248
Task 11.3 Examination Room Preparation 249
Task 11.4 Patient Discharge or Hospitalization 253
Task 11.5 Meeting a Patient’s Basic Needs 255
Task 11.5.1 Environmental Considerations 257
Task 11.5.2 Feeding the Hospitalized Patient 259
Task 11.5.3 Water Availability and Consumption 262
Task 11.5.4 Socialization and Exercise 264
Task 11.5.5 In-Hospital Grooming 267
Task 11.6 Caring for the Feral or Quarantined Animal 268
Chapter 12 Patient Care II 271 Paula Pattengale
Task 12.1 Grooming of Outpatients 273
Task 12.2 Coat Grooming Tools 273
Task 12.3 Ear Cleaning 276
Task 12.4 Nail Trimming 278
Task 12.5 Expressing Anal Sacs 281
Task 12.6 Bathing and Dipping 284
Task 12.7 Clipper Maintenance 287
Task 12.8 Clipping a Bird’s Flight Feathers 290
Task 12.9 Administration of Medication 291
Task 12.9.1 Administration of Medication: Oral 291
