Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant is the definitive, practical guide to the vital skills and techniques used in daily practice—bringing together all the information necessary to succeed as a veterinary assistant in one reader-friendly volume. 

Now in its fourth edition, this classic text has been completely revised to adopt a concise approach to learning that is ideally suited for modern readers. More and improved images, streamlined chapters, and easily-referenced key topics help readers understand the important aspects of real-world practice. Updated chapters cover infectious disease protocols, clinical procedures, and patient care and management. New chapters cover exam and treatment room skills, and present information on small animals, laboratory animals, and large animals. This re-envisioned new edition: 

• Covers every task and technique that veterinary assistants encounter daily
• Offers step-by-step guidance for fundamental veterinary skills, procedures, and practices
• Provides quick and easy reference to a comprehensive range of central topics
• Uses a new, larger page size to better fit content and enhance searching for information when on the job
• Includes access to a companion website presenting instructor resources, skills evaluations, and PowerPoint slides

Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, Fourth Edition continues to be the definitive text for trainee and practicing veterinary assistants in clinical, laboratory, or research settings.

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 ix

Acknowledgments xi

About the Companion Website xiii

1 Professional Conduct and Foundation Skills 1

Determining Your Role in a Veterinary Practice 1

Meeting Employer Expectations – 10 Behaviors to Master 4

Professional Appearance 8

Effective Communication Skills Within the Veterinary Practice 10

Verbal Communication 10

Non‐verbal Communication 10

Client Communication 10

Written Communication 11

Computer Competency 11

Use and Misuse of Social Media 12

Determining Credible Web Sources 12

Anticipation of Workflow 12

Application of Veterinary Ethics 13

Human–Animal Bond 13

Grief Process 14

Foundation Skills – Veterinary Practice Math and Medical Terminology 14

Basic Math Used in the Veterinary Practice 14

Estimating 16

Volume Measurements – Dilutions 16

Drug Calculation 18

Medical Terminology 18

2 Laws, Policies, and OSHA Standards Affecting Veterinary Practice 21

Laws and Regulations for Veterinary Practices 21

Federal Laws 21

State Laws 23

Common or Case Law 24

Local Ordnances 25

Guidelines of Practice from Veterinary Organizations 26

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Workplace Safety 26

Labeling 27

Personal Protection Equipment 27

3 Veterinary Business Protocols 33

Front Office Skills 34

Telephone Skills 34

Scheduling Appointments 35

Handling Non‐Client Calls 37

Client Interactions at the Facility 38

Arrivals 38

Admitting Patients 39

Discharging Clients 39

Veterinary Medical Record Keeping Procedures 40

Computerized Versus Paper Patient Records 40

Paper Patient Record Assembly 41

Paper Filing Systems 41

Chronological Order or SOAP File Format 42

Transferring Medical Records 42

Forms, Certificates, and Logs 43

Day’s End Protocols 45

Inventory Control 46

Daily Inventory Control 47

Ordering Supplies 48

Receiving Shipments 48

Handling Shipments and Invoices 48

Restocking Shelves 48

4 Facility and Equipment Maintenance – Cleaning for Disease Control 51

Basic Cleanliness and Orderliness 52

Cleaning 54

Disinfecting 54

Hospital Waste – Non‐Hazardous versus Hazardous 55

Cleaning Techniques When Caring for Hospitalized Animals 57

Order of Cleaning 57

Facility Maintenance 60

Hospital Laundry 61

Equipment Maintenance 62

5 Anatomy and Physiology 73

“Speaking” Anatomy 73

Body Systems 75

Skeletal System 75

Muscular System 78

Cardiovascular System 78

Respiratory System 81

Immune System 81

Digestive System 82

Urinary System 84

Reproductive System 85

Nervous System 86

Endocrine System 88

Integumentary System 88

Suggested Reading 89

6 Introduction to Animals 91

Scientific Classification of Animals 91

Phenotypes 92

Introduction to Genetics 94

Breeds of Animals 96

Herding Group 96

Hound Group 96

Non‐Sporting Group 97

Sporting Group 97

Terrier Group 99

Working Group 100

Toy Group 101

Cat Breeds 101

Pocket Pets 104

Determining the Sex of Companion Animals 107

7 Feeds and Feeding 111

Essential Nutrients –The Basics 112

Understanding Pet Food Labels 113

Learning to Read Labels 113

List of Ingredients 114

Adequacy Statement 114

Feeding Guidelines 115

Dry Matter Basis 115

Application of Basic Nutrition 115

Calorie Requirements 115

How Much to Feed 116

Prescription Diets 117

Feeding the Hospitalized Patient 117

Water Availability and Consumption 119

Feeding Livestock and Poultry 119

Feeding Other Species 120

References 120

Suggested Reading 120

8 Restraint of Animals 121

Restraint of Companion Animals 122

Patient Defenses 122

Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Companion Animals 123

Utilize Fear Free Techniques 129

Safely Moving Patients from One Location to Another 131

General Restraint Techniques for Dogs and Cats 133

Restraint for Examinations, Medications, and Procedures 134

Restraint Equipment 139

Restraint of Pocket Pets 143

Restraint of Pet Birds 143

Restraint of Livestock 144

Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Livestock 145

Restraint Techniques for Horses and Livestock 146

Reference 151

Suggested Reading 151

9 Knots and Ropes 153

Knot Tying Terminology 153

Types of Ropes 154

Prevent Fraying 154

Hanking a Rope 156

Types of Knots and Hitches 157

Types of Knots 157

Hitches 162

Suggested Reading 165

10 Management of Hospitalized and Boarding Pets 167

Housing Requirements – Kennel Set‐up 168

Water and Food Consumption – Elimination 168

Environmental Considerations 169

Socialization and Exercising Hospitalized Patients 170

Patient Care Based on Reason for Being in the Hospital 170

Boarding 170

Surgical Patients 171

Recumbent Patient Care 171

Constipated Patients – Enemas 172

Contagious Patients 173

Feral and Quarantine Animal Housing 173

Pocket Pets and Birds 174

Treatments and Procedures 174

Medical Records 174

Understanding the Disease Process 174

Treatment Plan Protocols 175

In‐hospital Grooming 179

Combing and Brushing 179

Clipping Hair or Fur 179

Identifying Ectoparasites 180

Bathing and Dipping 181

Collection of Fecal and Urine Samples 182

Pain Evaluation and Monitoring 183

Discharging Patients 184

Veterinary Hospice Care 184

Euthanasia and Post Mortem Protocols 185

After the Euthanasia 186

Reference 187

Suggested Reading 187

11 Clinical Techniques 189

Toenail Trimming 190

Clipping Birds’ Wings 191

Expressing Anal Glands 192

Administration of Medications 193

Ear Cleaning and Medicating 194

Topical Medications 196

Oral Medications 197

Ophthalmic Medications 200

Syringes and Needles 201

Preparing Syringe and Needle for Use 203

Solution Bottle Preparation 204

Preparing Vaccines 204

Injections 205

Subcutaneous Injections 206

Subcutaneous Fluid Administration 206

Intramuscular Injections 207

Intranasal Infusion 208

Monitoring IV Fluid Administration and IV Catheter Maintenance 208

Wound Care and Bandaging 210

Apply a Simple Bandage 211

Bandage Failure 214

Bandage Removal 214

Emergency Support 214

Maintenance of Crash Cart Kit or Emergency Station 215

Suggested Reading 215

12 Laboratory Skills 217

Maintenance of Stain Sets 218

Staining Protocol 219

Laboratory Log Book 219

Maintenance of the Common Laboratory Equipment in the Veterinary Lab 220

Binocular Microscope 220

Centrifuge 221

Refractometer 222

Sample Collection 222

Parasitology 223

Blood Collection and Handling 229

Equipment Set‐up 229

Blood Sample Handling 230

Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Determinations 234

Serologic Test Kits 235

Urine Collection 235

Microbiology – Sample Collection 238

Necropsy: Preparation and Follow‐Up 240

Preparing Samples for Shipment to Reference Laboratory 241

Vaginal Cytology Collection 242

13 Pharmacy Skills 243

Controlled Drugs 244

Reading a Prescription 245

Labeling a Prescription Container 246

Safe Handling of Dispensed Drugs 247

Prescription Packaging 248

Explaining Prescriptions to the Owner 248

Classification of Medications 250

Suggested Reading 250

14 Surgical Room Skills 251

Cleaning and Maintaining the Surgery Suite 252

Gas Anesthesia Machine 255

Cleaning the Surgical Instruments 256

Assembling Surgical Packs 257

Cold Sterilization 269

Surgery Skills and Maintaining an Aseptic Environment 270

Pre‐Surgical Phase 270

Peri‐Surgical Phase 274

Post‐Surgical Phase 278

Post‐Surgical Emergencies 279

Client Communication 279

Removing Sutures 279

Reference 281

15 Dental Skills for the Veterinary Assistant 283

Assistant’s Role in Veterinary Dentistry 283

Dental Anatomy 283

Dental Terminology 284

Directional Terms 284

Dental Formulas 285

Age Approximation Based on Dental Eruption 285

Head Type 285

Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance 285

Preparation of Dental Instruments 287

Sharpening Hand Instruments 287

Power Scalers 287

Selection of the Correct Handpiece Tip 288

Air‐Driven Dental Units 288

Dental Prophylaxis 289

Polishing Follows Dental Cleaning 289

Charting the Oral Examination 289

Triadan Numbering System 289

Anatomical Numbering System 290

Charting Symbols 291

Basics of Pocket Pet Dentistry 292

Dental Formula for Pocket Pets 292

Ferret Dentition 292

Hedgehog Dentition 292

Intraoral Radiography 293

Patient Positioning for Dental Radiography 293

Manual Developing of Dental Radiographs 294

Patient Care and Clean‐up 294

Client Education 294

Daily Dental Care 295

Dental Patient Discharge Instructions 295

Suggested Reading 295

16 Diagnostic Imaging and Endoscopy 297

Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging 298

Digital Radiography 298

Advanced Imaging Technologies 298

Quality Assurance 299

Radiation Safety 299

Radiography Abbreviations 301

Radiography Procedure 302

Radiography Log 302

Measuring the Anatomy with Calipers 302

Setting Exposure Factors Using the Technique Charts 303

Cassette Selection 304

Film Labeling 304

Taking a Radiograph 304

Developing Radiographic Film 306

Cassette Routine Maintenance 307

Patient Film Filing 307

Darkroom Maintenance 307

Checking for Light Leaks 308

Processor Maintenance 308

Diagnostic Ultrasonography 309

Set‐up for Ultrasonography 309

Endoscopy 310

Introduction to Endoscopy 310

Parts of an Endoscope 310

Endoscopy Preparation 311

Endoscopy: Post Procedure 312

Gas Sterilization 314

Cold (Liquid) Sterilization 314

End of Procedure Cleaning 315

References 315

Suggested Reading 315

Appendix: Suffixes, Prefixes, and Anatomic Terms (Roots) 317

Glossary 323

Index 331

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