Animal Biology and Care

The perfect study companion, Animal Biology and Care, 3^rd Edition is specifically designed for students on animal care, animal nursing assistant and veterinary care assistant courses. This edition is fully updated with new course content, a refreshed design and colour illustrations throughout. Basic biological theory is introduced with diagrams for visual learners while photographs demonstrate the common practical procedures carried out by animal care assistants.

Key features include:

• New content on exotic species, recognising the increasing number of these animals kept as pets.
• Extensive coverage of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and recent advances in animal welfare.
• Written in line with course curricula, chapter summaries help you to remember key points and learning objectives.
• A companion website has interactive MCQs to help you test your knowledge.

Divided into three main sections covering animal science and genetics, health and husbandry and nursing procedures, this book will help lay the foundations for a successful career in animal care and management!

Sue Dallas VN Cert. Ed. is a qualified veterinary nurse, and has worked in veterinary schools and veterinary practices in the UK and in North America.  She has taught on both veterinary nursing and animal care courses for over 22 years and has been involved in a number of educational and examination developments in the UK and New Zealand. Sue has spoken at veterinary congresses both in the UK and around the world, promoting nursing and care of animals through training and education.

Emily Jewell BSc (Hons), MSc, Cert. Ed. is a Curriculum Area Manager in Animal Management at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire.  Emily graduated from the University of Leeds in 1995 with a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science.  After working in a land-based college in Wiltshire for 7 years, she returned to study and graduated from Harper Adams University College in 2003 with an MSc in Animal Health and Welfare.  Emily has taught across a range of subjects and has had responsibility for many different species. Emily has also previously worked as an External Verifier in Animal Management for the awarding body Edexcel. 

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xii

Companion Website xiii

Section 1 Animal Biology 1

Chapter 1 Cells and Basic Tissues 3

Summary 3

What is Biology? 3

Cells 6

Animal Tissues 6

Blood 9

Bone and cartilage 13

Muscular tissue 14

Nervous tissue 16

Chapter 2 Movement of Materials within the Body 17

Summary 17

Diffusion 17

Osmosis 18

Phagocytosis 19

Active transport 19

Body fluid 19

Acids and bases in the body 20

Tissue fluid and the lymphatic system 20

The lymphatic system 21

Functions of the lymphatic system 22

Chapter 3 Body Systems and Functions 24

Summary 24

The circulatory system 24

The respiratory system 31

The digestive system 40

The urinary system 51

The nervous system 53

The endocrine system 59

The sense organs 62

The skin 66

The skeleton 68

The reproductive system 73

Homeostasis 79

Chapter 4 Basic Genetics 81

Summary 81

What is genetics? 81

Why is genetics important? 81

Important events in the history of genetics 81

Chromosomes, genes and DNA 82

Genetic terms 83

Cell division 83

Breeding and genetics 87

Chapter 5 Body Areas 89

Summary 89

Thoracic cavity 89

Abdominal cavity 89

Pelvic region 90

Cavity linings 90

Section 2 Animal Health and Husbandry 91

Chapter 6 Animal Welfare 93

Summary 93

Definition of animal welfare 93

How is animal welfare assessed? 94

Animal welfare legislation 95

Animal welfare organisations 106

Animal rights 107

Chapter 7 Basic Animal Health Care 108

Summary 108

Assessing the health status of an animal 108

Factors affecting health status 112

Prophylactic treatments 116

Microchipping 116

Chapter 8 Disease Transmission and Control 118

Summary 118

How can disease be transmitted? 118

Incubation of disease 122

Infection 122

Diagnosis of disease 123

Basic animal treatments 124

Chapter 9 Basic Microbiology 127

Summary 127

Microbial terms 128

Bacteria 128

Viruses 132

Fungi 132

Protozoa 133

Chapter 10 Diseases of the Dog and Cat 135

Summary 135

Diseases of dogs 135

Diseases of cats 141

Immunity 148

Chapter 11 Zoonotic Diseases 149

Summary 149

Dogs 149

Cats 150

Zoonotic diseases from other species 150

Prevention of zoonotic diseases 150

Chapter 12 Parasitology 152

Summary 152

Parasitology terms 153

External parasites 153

Ectoparasites in birds 160

Ectoparasites in reptiles 160

Internal parasites 161

Chapter 13 Hygiene 166

Summary 166

Disinfectants and antiseptics 166

Terms relating to hygiene 167

Disinfectants 167

Antiseptics 172

Chapter 14 Basic Nutrition 174

Summary 174

Proteins 175

Carbohydrates 177

Fats/lipids 178

Vitamins 178

Minerals 179

Water 181

General considerations for feeding 182

Life stages for nutrition of the dog and cat 182

Nutritional differences between the dog and the cat 183

Home-made diets 184

Feeding guidelines 184

Nutritional balance 185

Dietary supplementation 185

Growing puppies and kittens 186

Adult 187

Working dogs 187

Senior dogs and cats 187

Pregnancy 189

How much should be fed? 190

Chapter 15 Handling 191

Summary 191

Possible reasons for handling 191

Approaching an animal for handling 192

Handling procedures 192

Restraint procedures in the dog and cat 198

Chapter 16 Grooming and Coat Care 202

Summary 202

Reasons for grooming 202

Main aims of grooming 203

Grooming dogs 203

Cats 220

Chapter 17 Other Animals Kept as Pets 225

Summary 225

Basic husbandry for other animals 225

Small mammals 227

Birds 252

Fish 259

Reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates 267

Section 3 Nursing 271

Chapter 18 First Aid and Nursing 273

Summary 273

First aid 273

Evaluating situations requiring first aid intervention 274

Poisons 282

Insect stings 283

Bleeding or haemorrhage 283

Shock 285

Heat stroke (hyperthermia) 287

Hypothermia 288

Bone fractures 289

Wounds 290

Types of wound 291

Eye injuries 292

Chapter 19 Basic Bandaging 294

Summary 294

Reasons for bandaging 294

Aims of bandaging 295

Rules for bandaging 296

Application 296

Chapter 20 The Hospital Environment 299

Summary 299

Environmental temperature in the hospital environment 300

Hygiene and cleaning 301

Routine room cleaning 302

Chapter 21 The Hospitalised Patient 308

Summary 308

Records and monitoring 308

Observation 308

Feeding and watering 309

Hygiene 310

Temperature control 311

Recumbent patients 312

Handling the hospitalised patient 312

Welfare during hospitalisation 313

Nursing models 313

Isolation and barrier nursing 314

Pathogenic resistance 314

Medication 315

Fluid therapy 315

Environmental enrichment 315

Chapter 22 Monitoring Temperature, Pulse and Respiration 317

Summary 317

Temperature 317

Pulse 320

Respiration 322

Chapter 23 Pharmacy and the Administration of Drugs 325

Summary 325

Routes of administration 326

Pharmacology and dispensing 327

Handling and dispensing of drugs 330

Drugs glossary 332

Chapter 24 Isolation and Quarantine 333

Summary 333

Isolation 333

Quarantine 334

Further Reading 337

Appendix: Anatomy and Physiology Terminology 341

Index 345

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