Medical Abbreviations
WNL
Within normal limits
At what age do pets receive the rabies vaccine?
12 weeks
Explain Valley Fever. Be sure to cover symptoms, how is it spread, how it is diagnosed, the treatment and prognosis.
Valley Fever is a disease caused by inhaling fungal spores. Common symptoms include a dry cough, weight loss, lethargy, fever, or lack of appetite. It is diagnosed using a blood titer test to see if there are VF antibodies. It is treated with an antifungal, commonly fluconazole. Blood titers will be repeated every 6 months to see how the body is responding to treatment and eventually the animal may be able to come off medication, but they may also need lifelong medication.
Trazodone
Used to treat anxiety that causes behaviors such as panting, pacing, phobias, excessive jumping or spinning in kennel
What dog body language would you see in a fearful dog? Give 2 examples
Tucked tail, ears flattened back, low posture, low growl
Dx
Diagnose
Where is the DAPP and PRC vaccination administered on the pet's body?
Right shoulder, as distal as possible
What is DJD and what does it mean for an animal?
Degenerative Joint Disease. Similar to arthritis. The cartilage lining the joints has worn down and it can make long walks, jumping into beds/cars, or strenuous activity painful. Some pets will be prescribed carprofen to keep the pet comfortable, but there is no cure for DJD, only treatment to help the symptoms.
Cosequin
A supplement to improve and maintain joint health, commonly given to senior pets as well as those with Valley Fever
What cat body language would you see in a high FAS cat? Give 2 examples
Tail wrapped tightly around body, large pupils, Freeze response, hissing
History
What kind of bordatella vaccine do we use here?
Intranasal
How can FIV spread from one adult cat to another?
The most common method of spreading FIV in adult cats is when a bite deep enough to break skin occurs
Fluconazole
An antifungal commonly used to treat Valley Fever and other fungal infections
What is the difference between Almost Home, Fostering, and Temp Guard?
Almost Home - fostering adoptable pets until they get adopted
Fostering- housing and caring for unadoptable animals (surgery recovery, too young, working on behavior)
Temp Guard- "fostering" with intent to adopt, limited to a maximum of 2 weeks.
CTM
Continue to Monitor
How long can a vaccine be out of the fridge before it is no longer recommended for use?
What is FLUTD and what special diet food do these pets eat?
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, these cats eat C/D food
Doxycycline
An antibiotic commonly used in the shelter to treat kennel cough or tick fever.
How much greens/veggies should be given to a guinea pig a day?
1/2 cup to a cup
What does S.O.A.P. stand for?
Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
In the shelter, what is the vaccination schedule for DAPP/PRC for pets under 6 months of age?
Receive a DAPP/PRC vaccination every 2 weeks until 5 months of age.
What is the medical condition Ollie has and how you would explain it to a client?
Ollie has Diabetes Insipidus. It causes excessive thirst and excessive urination. It is caused by either the pituitary gland not making enough Antidiuretic hormone, or the kidney's resistance to the Antidiuretic hormone. There are treatments and special diets you can try for it, but really it just means that he drinks a lot and pees a lot. No medication is required.
Simplicef
An antibiotic commonly used in the shelter to treat skin infections
What is the most expensive item we sell here?
The flower/mushroom cat tree.