Download Small Animal Medical Nursing Grooming/Bathing/Etc.

SMALL ANIMAL MEDICAL
NURSING
GROOMING/BATHING

Grooming and
medicated bathing are
recommended for the
treatment and
prevention of many
dermatologic problems.

Control and treatment of
ectoparasites.

Cleanliness of the patient at the time of discharge
is an indication to the owner of the overall quality
of health care provided.
Grooming and Bathing


Every animal hospital should
have adequate collection of
grooming and bathing
equipment and supplies.
Supplies include:






Combs
Brushes
Scissors
Towels for drying
Electrical dryers
Selection of shampoos
Dryers
Grooming Considerations


Care must be taken to prevent the spread of
infections from one animal to another via grooming
instruments.
Instruments should be thoroughly cleaned in an
appropriate disinfectant solution after each use.
Things to Remember

When clipping or removing hair from an animal for
medical reasons, it is important to obtain the owner’s
permission, whenever possible.

Certain breeds , regrowth is slow.
Bathing


Basic technique for bathing dogs
and cats is to thoroughly wet the
coat and then apply small amounts
of shampoo starting at the head
and working back to the tail.
Rub shampoo into a lather, starting
at head and working back to tail.
Bathing Considerations


Eyes should be protected by mineral oil, or
ophthalmic ointment.
Care should be taken to prevent water from
entering the ears by placing a small amount cotton
in each ear. (Remember to remove once bath is
complete).
Bathing Continued



Thermal injury can be
caused by excessively hot
water.
Constantly monitor water
temperature.
Thoroughly rinse shampoo
residue to prevent skin
irritation.

Axillary and scrotal regions of
long-haired dogs are
particularly vulnerable to
residual shampoo irritation.
Bathing continued




Shampoos containing insecticides should be used only with
approval of the attending veterinarian because of possible
cumulative toxicity or drug interactions with medications or
other topically applied insecticides.
Insecticidal dips should be used with correct dilutions to avoid
toxic reactions.
If complete immersion bath is contraindicated, can sponge bath
dirty areas.
Orthopedic and neurological patients may not be able to
stand steady in the bath tub, so may need to use rubber mat to
help reduce injury.
Ringworm Treatment







Lime Sulfur Dip
Needs to be diluted
Always wear gloves!
READ the directions
Do not dry
Do not ingest
Do not rinse
CAUTION!!!!




Close your mouth!!!!
Do not peer in “line of fire”
Very unpleasant odor, can be messy, be sure to
clean up afterwards.
FYI: Fatty acid supplements have been shown to
help reduce the inflammation associated with Anal
Sac disease.
Anal Sac Tumors


Sometimes present in pets
Generally require surgery
Anal Sac Abscess



Occur when sac ruptures
out to the skin.
Usually provide relief to
patient.
Must be kept clean and
use appropriate meds.
Impacted Anal Sacs
Exercise





Moderate exercise is beneficial for the general care of the animal patient.
Exercise should take place in a secure, controlled, and safe environment so
that injury or loss of the animal does not occur.
Decision to restrict exercise should be made after consultation with the
attending veterinarian.
Moderate exercise consists of taking the patient for a walk and can be
considered the simplest and most basic form of physical therapy.
Moderate exercise may be useful means of reducing peripheral edema
and improving muscle tone and strength.
Contraindications to exercise



Respiratory issues
Cardiovascular issues
Musculoskeletal issues
Exercise
Feeding




Technician plays important role in ensuring that each patient remains in a
positive energy balance.
Technician will notice subtle changes in appetite or eating behaviors.
Familiarity with the home feeding regimen will aid in selection of palatable
alternative diets.
Owner may need to bring home diet to clinic in order to get patient to eat in
the hospital setting.
Feeding Continued






Personal attention at feeding time such as talking to
the patient or hand feeding may be needed to
stimulate eating.
Cats must smell food in order to eat.
Force feeding may be necessary in some cases.
Feeding tubes may be needed in some cases.
May use caloric pastes if needed.
May need to stimulate appetite.
Bedding


Keeping a dog clean is to appropriately use bedding
and exercise runs.
Several types of bedding are routinely used and may
include:
Newpaper
 Paper products
 Blankets
 Towels
 Lamb’s wool products
 “cots”

Bedding Continued



Bedding material used should be disposable or readily
and effectively cleaned between uses.
Dogs will eat their bedding so should be digestible and
non-toxic.
Dogs do not like to urinate and defecate where they
sleep so regular exercise is recommended.
Cat Bedding





Generally easier to keep clean.
Usually will use litter pans and groom and clean themselves
unless seriously ill.
Litter pans should be changed daily, preferably when
dirty.
Pans should be disposable or able to be completely
cleaned between uses.
Newspaper may be used in place of gravel litter to keep
from getting into wounds or surgical incisions.
Cat Bedding Continued


“Yesterday’s News” is
sometimes used after
surgeries and especially
some de-claws.
Usually walking cats is
not necessary, can have
exercise time for the cat.
Decubital Ulcers (Bedsores)




Decubital Sores (Bedsores) and urine scald are
extremely important aspects of the care of recumbent
patients.
Animals that can be recumbent for long periods of
time require special care.
Urine and fecal soiling can cause serious problems
that can complicate recovery.
Best treatment is prevention- Cleaning bedding and
turning patient. Bedsores can cause sepsis which can
lead to death.
Pressure sore from cast
Pressure sore’s from slings
Pressure Sore
Prevention of Bedsores






Adequate padding.
Air or water mattresses.
Grids, grates and straw.
Material needs to be able to be cleaned or
disposed of.
Needs to be impermeable to urine or moisture, or
allow microorganisms in.
Keep skin as dry as possible.
Prevention of Bedsores Continued







Frequently move or turn the patient.
May use slings from time to time as well.
If develop, should be cleaned thoroughly with a
surgical scrub.
Should be thoroughly dried after cleaning.
Soaking with a mild astringent solution may be made.
Afterwards, pad area but allow air in (donut shaped
padding).
Surgical debridement may be necessary.
TPR


Vital Signs- include a temperature (T), pulse (P) and
respiration (R) count.
Changes with every species of animal an varies due
to size, age, environment, stress, activity level, and
health.
Signs of a Healthy Animal








Clear, bright eyes with pink mucous membranes (mm).
Appearance of contentment.
Alert attitude and interest in surroundings.
Good appetite.
Sleek, shiny coat with fur that is pliable; not dry and
brittle.
Feces and urine that are easily passed and have
normal appearance.
TPR is in normal range. The normal Temp for dogs:
101.0 to 102.5
Cats normal Temp 100.5 to 102.5
Temperature (T)


The range of body heat in an animal.
Can predict:
Infection
 Overheating
 Hypothermia
 Stress
 Excitement
 Environment
 etc.

Ways to take Temperatures




Thermometer- gauge used to measure body
temperature.
Various types of thermometers available for animal
use.
Can use human thermometers on animals.
If measuring in Celsius degrees, can convert to
Fahrenheit by using formula:
 C=
(degrees F – 32) x 5/9
Types of thermometers





Regular human mercury thermometer.
Veterinary mercury thermometer (storage reservoir is
short and spherical rather than elongated).
Digital thermometers.
Infrared thermometers-infrared beam is focused on
the tympanic membrane.
External ear thermometers.
Mercury Thermometer

We have these at VTI..
Digital Thermometer
Where temperatures are taken



Generally will take a
rectal temperature.
In some cases may use an
ear thermometer or
axillary reading but these
instances are very rare.
If temperature is taken
from alternate location,
then 1 degree F should be
added to the reading.
How to take a Temperature



1. Clean the thermometer (not just with alcohol,
make sure is disinfected).
2. If using a mercury thermometer, make sure the
thermometer has been shaken so that the mercury is
below the constriction in the glass tube.
3. Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with
petroleum jelly.
Taking Temperature Continued





4. Restrain the animal so that the thermometer will
stay in place.
5. Hold mercury thermometer in place for 3 minutes,
digital thermometers should be held in place until an
auditory beep is heard.
6. Remove thermometer, observe reading and
record.
7. Clean off thermometer appropriately.
8. Store thermometer appropriately.
Normal temperatures









Cat- 100.5-102.5
Dog-101-102.5
Cattle- 101.0
Chicken- 107.0
Goat- 102.5
Horse- 100.0
Rabbit- 103.0
Sheep-102.0
Snake- room temperature
Special
Considerations


Smaller animals and puppies tend to
have/require higher body temperatures.
Certain diseases may show fluctuations in body
temperatures so any animal that is sick should
have temperature taken throughout day. This
can be referred to diurnal fluctuations.
Pulse (P)



The heartbeat of an animal.
Rate and character of the pulse are valuable means
of assessing the cardiovascular status of the patient.
Range and rate can also indicate:
Anxiety
 Exercise
 Pain
 Disease
 Shock

Areas to locate pulse



Can be palpated in any artery located close to the body
surface.
Index finger is best to use for sensitivity to pulse, while thumb is
least sensitive.
Locations include:





Femoral artery (inside rear leg).
Palmar aspect of the carpus
Ventral aspect of base of tail
Pedal artery
Through auscultation of the heart itself.

Listen with stethoscope at PMI (point of maximum intensity) which is located at
the costochondral junction between the fourth and sixth intercostal spaces.
Femoral Pulse
Procedure for taking a pulse


1. Gently roll your index finger and middle fingers
over the artery.
2. Count number of pulses for 15 or 30 seconds
and then multiply by 4 or 2 respectively.
Notes of Consideration



If you are listening to heart rate and feeling pulse at
the same time and the pulse rate is less than the heart
rate, then this is a Pulse deficit.
Dogs can have regularly irregular pulse rates.
Sinus arrhythmia- heart and pulse rates increase with
inspiration and decrease with expiration.
Pulse Characteristics



Pulse Pressure- how hard or strong the pulse is.
May hear terms such as thready, weak, etc.
Decreased pulse pressure can indicate systemic
hypotension or drops in the blood pressure.
Normal Pulse Parameters









Dog- 60-160 beats per minute (bpm)
Cat- 110-240 bpm
Cattle- 60-70 bpm
Chicken- 200-400 bpm
Goat- 40-60 bpm
Horse- 30-60 bpm
Rabbit- 123- 304 bpm
Sheep- 60-90 bpm
Snake- 12 bpm
Special Considerations



Puppies and small breed
dogs will have higher pulse
rates. 220 bpm
Cats will have higher heart
rates than dogs. 240 bpm
Cold blooded animals will
have lower heart rates.
Example: Snake – 26 bpm
Respiration (R)




The breathing rate of an
animal.
Should be counted when
animal is at rest but not
sleeping.
Respiration includes both
inspiratory and
expiratory pause.
Can count inspirations or
expirations but not both.
Respiration continued

Respiration is evaluated by the
depth and character of breathing.


Depth- degree of chest effort that is
needed to take a breath. The volume of
air inspired in each breath. Increased
depth indicates a greater demand for
oxygen.
Character- whether or not animal is
breathing slow, normal, or rapid.
Procedure for counting Respirations




1. Observe the rise and fall of the chest.
2. Count the number of breaths for 15 or 30
seconds.
3. Multiply by 4 or 2 respectively to get number of
breaths per minute.
4. Record in patient record.
Normal Respiration Rates









Dogs- 15-30 breaths per minute
Cats- 20-30
Cattle- 10-30
Chicken- 15-30
Goat- 12-20
Horse- 8-16
Rabbit- 30-45
Sheep- 12-20
Snake- 1-2
TPR’s continued



TPR exams should be conducted on every animal
that enters the hospital or clinic.
Should also be done on a daily basis and after
surgery.
TPR’s are a very good indicator of sickness if the
animal is not in the normal range for their species.