Alabama LVT cheat sheet

Controlled substances are classified DEA Schedule I–V; Schedule II has accepted medical use but high abuse potential and requires a separate written prescription with no refills.

The five rights of medication administration: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time (some add right documentation).

Drug half-life (t½) is the time for plasma concentration to fall by 50%; steady state is generally reached after about 4–5 half-lives.

Bioavailability (F) = (AUC oral / AUC IV) × 100; intravenous administration is defined as 100% bioavailable.

Maintenance fluid rate for a dog or cat is approximately 2–3 mL/kg/hr, or roughly 50–60 mL/kg/day.

Common canine/feline toxicities: acetaminophen (cats - methemoglobinemia, Heinz bodies), ibuprofen (GI ulceration, renal injury), permethrin (cats - tremors, seizures), xylitol (dogs - hypoglycemia, hepatic failure).

Acepromazine lowers the seizure threshold and causes splenic enlargement; it is avoided in epileptic or bleeding-risk patients.

Drugs requiring refrigeration include most vaccines and insulin; insulin should not be frozen, and rolled (not shaken) before use.

Anesthetic stages: I (analgesia), II (excitement), III (surgical anesthesia, planes 1–4), IV (overdose with respiratory arrest).

Aseptic technique: surgical scrub of skin (chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine) proceeds from incision site outward in concentric circles.

Normal canine/feline anesthesia parameters: HR 60–160 bpm (dog), 140–220 bpm (cat); MAP ≥60 mmHg; SpO2 ≥95%; ETCO2 35–45 mmHg.

Hypothermia is a common anesthetic complication; active warming (forced-air blankets, warm fluids) and monitoring rectal/esophageal temperature are standard.

Capnography waveform loss of the plateau (shark-fin shape) suggests obstruction; a sudden drop to zero may indicate disconnection or esophageal intubation.

Surgical instruments: Mayo scissors for heavy tissue, Metzenbaum for delicate dissection, needle holders for suturing, and hemostats for clamping vessels.

Suture sizing uses USP scale; absorbable examples include poliglecaprone (Monocryl), polyglactin 910 (Vicryl), and chromic gut; nonabsorbable include nylon and polypropylene.

Recovery monitoring includes extubation when swallowing reflex returns, continued temperature support, and pain assessment using validated scales (e.g., Glasgow CMPS).

Dental formula for adult dog: 2 × (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3) = 42 teeth; adult cat: 2 × (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/2, M 1/1) = 30 teeth.

Periodontal disease staging uses attachment loss: Stage 1 (<25%), Stage 2 (25–50%), Stage 3 (>50%), Stage 4 (advanced with furcation involvement).

Tooth numbering uses the modified Triadan system; the right maxillary quadrant is 100s, left maxillary 200s, right mandibular 300s, left mandibular 400s.

The most commonly affected tooth in dogs with periodontal disease is the maxillary fourth premolar (carnassial tooth, 108/208).

Dental radiography requires full-mouth series (typically 6–8 views) because most lesions are below the gingiva and not visible on exam.

Chlorhexidine 0.12% oral rinse is used for plaque control; avoid human toothpaste due to fluoride and detergents toxic to pets.

Extraction of the mandibular first molar requires care to avoid the mandibular canal and inferior alveolar nerve; the roots are mesial and distal.

Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs) are common and painful; treatment is extraction or crown amputation, not scaling alone.

PCV (packed cell volume) normal: dog ~37–55%, cat ~30–45%; measured by centrifugation in a microhematocrit tube.

Total protein by refractometer: normal dog ~5.5–7.5 g/dL, cat ~5.7–8.9 g/dL; lipemia and hemolysis can falsely elevate readings.

Buffy coat lies between plasma and RBCs; it contains white blood cells and platelets and is used to estimate buffy coat layer thickness.

Blood smear evaluation order: scan at low power for overall cellularity, then 100× oil for platelet estimate and WBC differential.

Platelet estimate: average platelets per 100× field × 15,000–20,000/µL; one platelet per oil-immersion field ≈ 15,000/µL.

Urinalysis components: specific gravity (refractometer), pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, blood, and sediment exam.

Normal urine specific gravity: dog ~1.015–1.045, cat ~1.035–1.060; isosthenuria (1.008–1.012) indicates loss of concentrating ability.

Fecal floatation uses zinc sulfate or sugar solution to concentrate parasite eggs; direct smear is used for motile protozoa like Giardia.

Radiographic density: gas (most radiolucent) < fat < soft tissue/fluid < bone < metal (most radiopaque).

Thoracic radiograph timing: inspiration phase preferred; typical settings ~70–80 kVp, 3–5 mAs for a medium dog; cats require lower mAs.

VD (ventrodorsal) and lateral views are standard for thoracic imaging; a right lateral and left lateral help localize lesions.

Cardiac silhouette: vertebral heart score (VHS) normal dog ≤10.5 vertebrae (range 8.5–10.5), cat ≤9.3.

Abdominal radiography: loss of serosal detail suggests effusion, peritonitis, or emaciation.

Ultrasound is preferred over radiography for evaluating pregnancy, fluid-filled organs, and soft tissue masses; it does not penetrate bone or gas.

Radiation safety: ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable); wear lead apron, thyroid shield, and dosimeter badge.

Contrast studies: barium sulfate for GI, iodinated contrast for urinary and vascular; barium is contraindicated if GI perforation is suspected.

Normal vital signs: dog T 100.5–102.5°F (38.1–39.2°C), HR 60–160 bpm, RR 10–30/min; cat T 100.5–102.5°F, HR 140–220 bpm, RR 20–30/min.

Body condition scoring uses a 1–9 (or 1–5) scale; ideal is 4–5/9 with ribs palpable but not visible.

Pain assessment tools include the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (dogs) and UNESP-Botucatu (cats); physiologic indicators include tachycardia, mydriasis, and tachypnea.

Nutritional resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 kcal/day; illness energy requirement is often ~1.0–1.2 × RER.

Bandage layers: primary (contact), secondary (padding), tertiary (outer); check for swelling, discharge, and toe temperature distal to bandage.

Venipuncture sites: cephalic, jugular, and lateral saphenous veins; medial saphenous used in cats when cephalic is unavailable.

Urinary catheter care includes closed collection system, aseptic insertion, and monitoring for obstruction; cats are prone to urethral plugs.

Common injection sites: subcutaneous (dorsal neck/scruff), intramuscular (epaxial or quadriceps), intravenous (cephalic); avoid sciatic nerve in cats.

CPR sequence: check responsiveness, establish airway, initiate compressions at 100–120/min, provide ventilations at 10/min; use capnography to gauge efficacy.

Cardiopulmonary arrest reversible causes (5 Hs and 5 Ts): hypoxia, hypovolemia, hypo/hyperkalemia, hypothermia, H+ (acidosis); tension pneumothorax, tamponade, toxins, thrombosis, trauma.

Shock fluid bolus: dog 20 mL/kg crystalloid, cat 10–15 mL/kg, reassess after each bolus; avoid over-resuscitation in cardiac or pulmonary disease.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a surgical emergency: stabilize with IV fluids, decompress stomach (trocarization or orogastric tube), and monitor for arrhythmias.

Anaphylaxis treatment: epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IM or IV (1:1000 diluted), fluid support, antihistamines, and corticosteroids as adjuncts.

Triage categories: red (immediate, life-threatening), yellow (urgent, stable but needs care), green (non-urgent); reassess frequently.

Heatstroke management: cool with room-temperature water and fans, avoid ice baths (causes vasoconstriction), monitor for DIC and renal failure.

Blood transfusion: crossmatch before first transfusion in cats and after any prior transfusion; monitor for transfusion reactions (fever, hemolysis, urticaria).

Low-stress handling: minimize restraint, use towel wraps for cats, avoid scruffing unless necessary, and allow acclimation time in the exam room.

Fear Free principles use pheromones (Adaptil for dogs, Feliway for cats), treats, and pre-visit sedation when indicated.

Species-specific handling: rabbits are prone to spinal fracture from hindlimb kicking - support hindquarters; birds require towel restraint and care with sternum.

Feline socialization period is 2–7 weeks; canine critical socialization period is 3–14 weeks.

Normal behaviors: cats groom frequently, dogs exhibit appeasement signals (lip licking, yawning, whale eye) indicating stress.

Husbandry basics: fresh water ad libitum, species-appropriate diet, and enrichment (chew toys, scratching posts, foraging).

Common behavioral problems: urine marking (territorial), separation anxiety (destructive behavior when alone), and resource guarding.

Zoonotic precautions: pregnant or immunocompromised staff should avoid contact with Toxoplasma oocysts in cat feces and raw meat.

Informed consent requires clear explanation of procedure, risks, benefits, alternatives, and cost estimate before obtaining owner signature.

Medical record documentation should include date, time, client/patient ID, SOAP format (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan), and signature.

Controlled substance logs must record drug name, quantity, date, patient, and prescribing veterinarian; reconcile inventory regularly.

Cost estimates should be provided in writing before procedures; itemize services to reduce client confusion.

Client communication: use open-ended questions, reflective listening, and teach-back to confirm understanding.

Telephone triage should document the call, advice given, and follow-up plan; do not diagnose over the phone.

OSHA and safety: maintain SDS (Safety Data Sheets), proper PPE, and sharps disposal in designated containers.

Practice management metrics: average transaction charge, client retention rate, and revenue per veterinarian are key performance indicators.

Body planes: dorsal/ventral, cranial/caudal, medial/lateral, proximal/distal; used for consistent anatomical description.

Skeletal divisions: axial (skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum) and appendicular (limbs, pelvis, scapula).

The four abdominal quadrants: cranial right, cranial left, caudal right, caudal left; used in physical exam and surgery.

Cardiac cycle: systole (ventricular contraction, AV valves closed, semilunar valves open) and diastole (ventricular filling).

Renal physiology: glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the key indicator of renal function; kidneys also produce erythropoietin and activate vitamin D.

Inflammation hallmarks: redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and loss of function (functio laesa).

Common neoplasms: canine lymphoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma; feline squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma.

Hormones: insulin (beta cells, lowers glucose), glucagon (alpha cells, raises glucose), cortisol (adrenal cortex, stress response).

Alabama veterinary practice is governed by the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act and the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

LVTs practice under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian; scope of practice is defined by state law.

Veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required for prescribing, dispensing, and many treatments; it requires recent examination and knowledge of the patient.

Controlled substances must be stored securely, logged, and reconciled; DEA registration and state licensure are required.

Confidentiality: client and patient records are protected; release requires client authorization except as required by law or for public health.

Mandatory reporting: suspected animal cruelty and certain zoonotic diseases must be reported per state and federal regulations.

Ethical obligations include informed consent, avoiding conflicts of interest, and providing care within one's competence.

Record retention requirements vary by state; Alabama generally requires records be maintained for a specified period (commonly several years) and made available to the board.