Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Companion Website
Chapter 1 Professional Conduct and Foundation Skills
	Determining Your Role in a Veterinary Practice
	Meeting Employer Expectations – 10 Behaviors to Master
	Professional Appearance
	Effective Communication Skills Within the Veterinary Practice
		Verbal Communication
		Non-verbal Communication
		Client Communication
		Written Communication
	Computer Competency
	Use and Misuse of Social Media
	Determining Credible Web Sources
	Anticipation of Workflow
	Application of Veterinary Ethics
	Human–Animal Bond
	Grief Process
	Foundation Skills – Veterinary Practice Math and Medical Terminology
		Basic Math Used in the Veterinary Practice
		Estimating
		Volume Measurements – Dilutions
		Drug Calculation
		Medical Terminology
Chapter 2 Laws, Policies, and OSHA Standards Affecting Veterinary Practice
	Laws and Regulations for Veterinary Practices
		Federal Laws
		State Laws
		Common or Case Law
		Local Ordnances
	Guidelines of Practice from Veterinary Organizations
	Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Workplace Safety
		Labeling
		Personal Protection Equipment
Chapter 3 Veterinary Business Protocols
	Front Office Skills
		Telephone Skills
		Scheduling Appointments
		Handling Non-Client Calls
	Client Interactions at the Facility
		Arrivals
		Admitting Patients
		Discharging Clients
	Veterinary Medical Record Keeping Procedures
		Computerized Versus Paper Patient Records
		Paper Patient Record Assembly
		Paper Filing Systems
		Chronological Order or SOAP File Format
		Transferring Medical Records
		Forms, Certificates, and Logs
	Day’s End Protocols
	Inventory Control
		Daily Inventory Control
		Ordering Supplies
		Receiving Shipments
		Handling Shipments and Invoices
		Restocking Shelves
Chapter 4 Facility and Equipment Maintenance – Cleaning for Disease Control
	Basic Cleanliness and Orderliness
		Cleaning
		Disinfecting
	Hospital Waste – Non‐Hazardous versus Hazardous
	Cleaning Techniques When Caring for Hospitalized Animals
		Order of Cleaning
	Facility Maintenance
		Hospital Laundry
	Equipment Maintenance
Chapter 5 Anatomy and Physiology
	“Speaking” Anatomy
	Body Systems
		Skeletal System
		Muscular System
		Cardiovascular System
		Respiratory System
		Immune System
		Digestive System
		Urinary System
		Reproductive System
		Nervous System
		Endocrine System
		Integumentary System
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 6 Introduction to Animals
	Scientific Classification of Animals
		Phenotypes
	Introduction to Genetics
	Breeds of Animals
		Herding Group
		Hound Group
		Non-Sporting Group
		Sporting Group
		Terrier Group
		Working Group
		Toy Group
		Cat Breeds
		Pocket Pets
	Determining the Sex of Companion Animals
Chapter 7 Feeds and Feeding
	Essential Nutrients –The Basics
	Understanding Pet Food Labels
	Learning to Read Labels
		List of Ingredients
		Adequacy Statement
		Feeding Guidelines
			Dry Matter Basis
	Application of Basic Nutrition
		Calorie Requirements
	How Much to Feed
	Prescription Diets
	Feeding the Hospitalized Patient
	Water Availability and Consumption
	Feeding Livestock and Poultry
	Feeding Other Species
	References
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals
	Restraint of Companion Animals
		Patient Defenses
		Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Companion Animals
		Utilize Fear Free Techniques
		Safely Moving Patients from One Location to Another
		General Restraint Techniques for Dogs and Cats
		Restraint for Examinations, Medications, and Procedures
		Restraint Equipment
	Restraint of Pocket Pets
	Restraint of Pet Birds
	Restraint of Livestock
		Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Livestock
		Restraint Techniques for Horses and Livestock
	Reference
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 9 Knots and Ropes
	Knot Tying Terminology
	Types of Ropes
	Prevent Fraying
	Hanking a Rope
	Types of Knots and Hitches
		Types of Knots
		Hitches
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 10 Management of Hospitalized and Boarding Pets
	Housing Requirements – Kennel Set‐up
	Water and Food Consumption – Elimination
	Environmental Considerations
	Socialization and Exercising Hospitalized Patients
	Patient Care Based on Reason for Being in the Hospital
		Boarding
		Surgical Patients
		Recumbent Patient Care
		Constipated Patients – Enemas
		Contagious Patients
		Feral and Quarantine Animal Housing
		Pocket Pets and Birds
	Treatments and Procedures
		Medical Records
		Understanding the Disease Process
		Treatment Plan Protocols
	In-hospital Grooming
		Combing and Brushing
		Clipping Hair or Fur
		Identifying Ectoparasites
		Bathing and Dipping
	Collection of Fecal and Urine Samples
	Pain Evaluation and Monitoring
	Discharging Patients
	Veterinary Hospice Care
	Euthanasia and Post Mortem Protocols
		After the Euthanasia
	Reference
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 11 Clinical Techniques
	Toenail Trimming
	Clipping Birds’ Wings
	Expressing Anal Glands
	Administration of Medications
		Ear Cleaning and Medicating
		Topical Medications
		Oral Medications
		Ophthalmic Medications
	Syringes and Needles
		Preparing Syringe and Needle for Use
		Solution Bottle Preparation
		Preparing Vaccines
	Injections
		Subcutaneous Injections
		Subcutaneous Fluid Administration
		Intramuscular Injections
		Intranasal Infusion
	Monitoring IV Fluid Administration and IV Catheter Maintenance
	Wound Care and Bandaging
		Apply a Simple Bandage
		Bandage Failure
		Bandage Removal
	Emergency Support
		Maintenance of Crash Cart Kit or Emergency Station
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 12 Laboratory Skills
	Maintenance of Stain Sets
	Staining Protocol
	Laboratory Log Book
	Maintenance of the Common Laboratory Equipment in the Veterinary Lab
		Binocular Microscope
		Centrifuge
		Refractometer
	Sample Collection
		Parasitology
	Blood Collection and Handling
		Equipment Set-up
		Blood Sample Handling
		Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Determinations
		Serologic Test Kits
		Urine Collection
		Microbiology – Sample Collection
	Necropsy: Preparation and Follow‐Up
		Preparing Samples for Shipment to Reference Laboratory
	Vaginal Cytology Collection
Chapter 13 Pharmacy Skills
	Controlled Drugs
	Reading a Prescription
	Labeling a Prescription Container
	Safe Handling of Dispensed Drugs
	Prescription Packaging
	Explaining Prescriptions to the Owner
	Classification of Medications
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 14 Surgical Room Skills
	Cleaning and Maintaining the Surgery Suite
		Gas Anesthesia Machine
		Cleaning the Surgical Instruments
		Assembling Surgical Packs
		Cold Sterilization
	Surgery Skills and Maintaining an Aseptic Environment
		Pre-Surgical Phase
		Peri-Surgical Phase
		Post-Surgical Phase
		Post-Surgical Emergencies
	Client Communication
	Removing Sutures
	Reference
Chapter 15 Dental Skills for the Veterinary Assistant
	Assistant’s Role in Veterinary Dentistry
	Dental Anatomy
	Dental Terminology
	Directional Terms
	Dental Formulas
	Age Approximation Based on Dental Eruption
	Head Type
	Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance
		Preparation of Dental Instruments
		Sharpening Hand Instruments
	Power Scalers
		Selection of the Correct Handpiece Tip
	Air-Driven Dental Units
	Dental Prophylaxis
	Polishing Follows Dental Cleaning
	Charting the Oral Examination
		Triadan Numbering System
		Anatomical Numbering System
		Charting Symbols
	Basics of Pocket Pet Dentistry
	Dental Formula for Pocket Pets
		Ferret Dentition
		Hedgehog Dentition
	Intraoral Radiography
		Patient Positioning for Dental Radiography
		Manual Developing of Dental Radiographs
	Patient Care and Clean‐up
	Client Education
		Daily Dental Care
		Dental Patient Discharge Instructions
	Suggested Reading
Chapter 16 Diagnostic Imaging and Endoscopy
	Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging
	Digital Radiography
	Advanced Imaging Technologies
	Quality Assurance
	Radiation Safety
	Radiography Abbreviations
	Radiography Procedure
	Radiography Log
	Measuring the Anatomy with Calipers
	Setting Exposure Factors Using the Technique Charts
	Cassette Selection
	Film Labeling
	Taking a Radiograph
	Developing Radiographic Film
	Cassette Routine Maintenance
	Patient Film Filing
	Darkroom Maintenance
		Checking for Light Leaks
		Processor Maintenance
	Diagnostic Ultrasonography
		Set-up for Ultrasonography
	Endoscopy
		Introduction to Endoscopy
		Parts of an Endoscope
		Endoscopy Preparation
		Endoscopy: Post Procedure
			Gas Sterilization
			Cold (Liquid) Sterilization
		End of Procedure Cleaning
		References
		Suggested Reading
Appendix: Suffixes, Prefixes, and Anatomic Terms (Roots)
Glossary
Index
EULA