Arizona CVT cheat sheet

Drug half-life (t½) is the time for plasma concentration to fall by 50%; roughly 5 half-lives are needed to reach steady state or near-complete elimination.

Clearance (Cl) = dose rate ÷ steady-state plasma concentration; volume of distribution (Vd) = amount of drug in body ÷ plasma concentration.

Loading dose = (Vd × target concentration) ÷ bioavailability; maintenance rate = Cl × target concentration.

First-pass hepatic metabolism reduces oral bioavailability; drugs with high first-pass effect require higher oral doses than IV equivalents.

Aqueous humor and cerebrospinal fluid are separated from blood by tight junctions, so only lipid-soluble, non-ionized, low-protein-bound drugs penetrate well.

NSAIDs act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX); COX-1 supports gastric mucosa and renal blood flow, COX-2 mediates inflammation.

Corticosteroids and NSAIDs should not be combined concurrently because of additive gastric ulceration and renal risk.

Drugs are classified by DEA schedule I–V; schedule II agents have accepted medical use but high abuse potential and require strict recordkeeping.

Withdrawal times for food-producing animals are set by FDA/CVM; extra-label drug use requires a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

Anesthetic stages: I (analgesia), II (excitement), III (surgical anesthesia, planes 1–4), IV (medullary paralysis/overdose).

MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) is the alveolar concentration at which 50% of patients do not respond to a noxious stimulus; lower MAC means more potent agent.

Isoflurane MAC in dogs is approximately 1.3–1.5%; sevoflurane approximately 2.1–2.4%.

Premedication with an opioid and a sedative (e.g., acepromazine or a benzodiazepine) reduces induction and maintenance agent requirements.

The surgical field is prepared with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine scrub alternating with alcohol, moving from incision site outward in concentric circles.

Aseptic technique requires sterile gowns, gloves, and drapes; the circulating nurse handles non-sterile items and opens supplies.

Surgical counts of sponges, needles, and instruments are performed before the incision, before closure, and at skin closure.

Hypothermia during anesthesia is countered by warm water blankets, forced-air warmers, warmed IV fluids, and limiting body cavity exposure.

Monitoring includes heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry (SpO2 ≥ 95%).

Dental formula for the adult dog is 2 × (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3) = 42 teeth; the adult cat is 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 50–75%, stage 4 >75%.

The modified Triadan system numbers quadrants 1–4 in the permanent dentition (100, 200, 300, 400) and 5–8 in deciduous teeth.

Grade 1 dental disease shows gingivitis without attachment loss; grade 4 shows severe attachment loss and tooth mobility.

Dental radiography uses parallel technique for mandibular premolars/molars and bisecting-angle technique for maxillary teeth.

Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% is an antiseptic oral rinse; it reduces plaque but does not replace mechanical scaling and polishing.

Extraction sites require alveoloplasty and smoothing of sharp bone; closure may be primary or by second intention with a mucogingival flap.

Enamel is the hardest tissue and is avascular; dentin is innervated by odontoblast processes and is sensitive when exposed.

PCV (packed cell volume) is measured by centrifugation of a microhematocrit tube; normal canine PCV is approximately 37–55%, feline 30–45%.

Total protein by refractometry is read from the plasma layer of the microhematocrit tube; lipemia and hemolysis falsely elevate readings.

Blood smear evaluation: assess RBC morphology, platelet estimate (about 10–15 per 100× field ≈ adequate), and WBC differential.

Buffy coat is the layer between plasma and RBCs; it contains leukocytes and platelets and is used for cytology when needed.

Urinalysis includes specific gravity by refractometer, dipstick chemistry, and sediment examination; USG in a well-hydrated dog is roughly 1.015–1.045.

Radiographic density: air is most radiolucent (black), then fat, soft tissue/fluid, bone, and metal (most radiopaque/white).

Thoracic radiographs are best taken at peak inspiration; a good film shows the heart at approximately 60% of thoracic width on the lateral view (vertebral heart score 8.5–10.5).

Ultrasound is used for soft-tissue evaluation; echogenicity compares tissue brightness to adjacent tissue, and acoustic shadowing indicates mineral or gas.

Fecal flotation with sugar or salt solution concentrates parasite eggs; direct smear is less sensitive but faster.

Normal canine temperature 100.5–102.5°F (38.1–39.2°C); feline 100.5–102.5°F; heart rate dog 70–160 bpm, cat 140–220 bpm.

Normal respiratory rate is 10–30 breaths/min in dogs and 20–30 in cats; assess effort, pattern, and mucous membrane color.

Capillary refill time normally <2 seconds; prolonged CRT suggests poor perfusion or shock.

Body condition score 1–9 (5 = ideal); 1 = emaciated, 9 = obese.

Pain assessment uses grimace scales or the Colorado State University canine/feline acute pain scales; physiologic signs include tachycardia, tachypnea, and mydriasis.

Fluid deficit estimate = body weight (kg) × % dehydration × 1000 mL; add maintenance (about 50–60 mL/kg/day) and ongoing losses.

IV catheter sites are clipped, aseptically scrubbed, and secured with tape; cephalic, saphenous, and jugular veins are common sites.

Nutritional support: resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 kcal/day.

Bandaging follows the three-layer principle: primary (contact) layer, secondary (absorbent/padding) layer, tertiary (outer) layer, checked for toe swelling and strike-through.

Triage categories: red (immediate, life-threatening), yellow (urgent, treat within hours), green (non-urgent, can wait).

ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neuro), Exposure/Environment.

Shock resuscitation uses isotonic crystalloids at 10–20 mL/kg boluses in dogs and 5–10 mL/kg in cats, reassessing after each bolus.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus presents with non-productive retching, abdominal distension, and tachycardia; treat with gastric decompression and IV fluids before surgery.

CPR sequence: chest compressions at 100–120/min with 1/3 to 1/2 chest depth, 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for two rescuers, or continuous compressions with asynchronous breaths.

Epinephrine dose for cardiac arrest is 0.01–0.02 mg/kg IV (low dose) or 0.1 mg/kg (high dose, non-standard); atropine 0.04 mg/kg IV for vagally mediated bradycardia.

Heatstroke treatment: cool with room-temperature water and fans, stop cooling at 103°F to prevent overshoot, treat for DIC and hypoglycemia.

Anaphylaxis: epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV or 0.02 mg/kg IM, plus crystalloid boluses and antihistamines.

Blood transfusion reactions (hemolysis, fever, urticaria) require stopping the transfusion, maintaining IV access, and administering fluids and antihistamines.

Canine parvovirus causes hemorrhagic gastroenteritis with leukopenia; diagnosis by fecal antigen ELISA or PCR; treatment is supportive with fluids and antiemetics.

Feline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus) causes leukopenia, ataxia, and enteritis; vaccination is core for all cats.

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is transmitted by mosquitoes; preventives are given monthly, and adulticide treatment uses melarsomine.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses; FeLV is spread by close contact and causes immunosuppression and neoplasia.

Diabetes mellitus diagnosis: persistent hyperglycemia with glucosuria; canine diabetes usually requires insulin, and feline diabetes may go into remission with tight control.

Hypothyroidism in dogs shows lethargy, weight gain, alopecia, and low T4; treatment is levothyroxine.

Hyperthyroidism in cats shows weight loss, polyphagia, tachycardia, and high T4; treatment options are methimazole, radioiodine, or thyroidectomy.

Chronic kidney disease is staged by IRIS using creatinine and SDMA; stage 1 is non-azotemic with renal changes, stage 4 is severe azotemia.

Pancreatitis presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, and elevated canine pancreatic lipase (cPL); treatment is fluid therapy, analgesia, and early enteral nutrition.

Low-stress handling uses minimal restraint, towel wraps, and pheromone sprays; avoid scruffing cats when alternatives exist.

Canine body language: relaxed ears and tail, play bows indicate friendly intent; tucked tail, pinned ears, lip licking, and whale eye indicate fear or stress.

Feline restraint: use a towel or cat bag; scruffing is reserved for brief necessary procedures and is not a routine hold.

Muzzle selection must allow panting; brachycephalic breeds require caution with muzzles and heat exposure.

Chemical restraint options include acepromazine, dexmedetomidine, and ketamine combinations; choose based on species, health status, and procedure.

Socialization period in puppies is roughly 3–16 weeks; fear periods occur around 8–10 weeks and again in adolescence.

Reinforcement-based training uses positive reinforcement (treats, toys) and negative punishment; punishment-based methods increase fear and aggression risk.

Husbandry: provide species-appropriate housing, temperature, humidity, and enrichment; rabbits need hay-based diets and social housing.

Zoonotic risk from reptiles includes Salmonella; hand hygiene after handling is essential.

Veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) requires the vet to know the patient, be available for follow-up, and obtain client consent; it is required for prescribing and extra-label drug use.

Controlled substances require DEA registration, secure storage, and records of receipt, use, and disposal; schedule II drugs need separate recordkeeping.

Informed consent should document risks, benefits, alternatives, and costs before procedures.

Confidentiality: client and patient medical records are confidential and may be released only with client consent or legal requirement.

Medical records should be legible, contemporaneous, and include history, exam findings, diagnosis, treatment, and client communication.

Ethical principles: autonomy (client choice), beneficence (do good), nonmaleficence (do no harm), justice (fair access), and veracity (honesty).

Animal welfare frameworks include the Five Freedoms (hunger/thirst, discomfort, pain/injury/disease, fear/distress, natural behavior) and the Five Domains model.

Billing and estimates should be provided in writing before treatment; unexpected costs require client contact before proceeding.

Scope of practice: veterinary technicians perform duties delegated by and under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Rabies is a fatal viral encephalitis transmitted by saliva; post-exposure prophylaxis includes wound washing, rabies immune globulin, and vaccine series.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis spread by rodent urine and contaminated water; it causes fever, renal and hepatic disease in animals and people.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii; cats shed oocysts, and pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes or use gloves.

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis of cattle, swine, and dogs; B. canis causes reproductive failure and is transmitted by reproductive fluids.

Salmonellosis is transmitted by reptiles, poultry, and raw food; hand hygiene and avoiding raw diets reduce exposure.

Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae; it presents with lymphadenopathy in people and is transmitted by scratches or fleas.

Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a fungal zoonosis; Microsporum canis is common in cats, and environmental decontamination is important.

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodes ticks; tick prevention and prompt removal reduce risk.

Public health reporting: rabies, anthrax, and brucellosis are reportable diseases in many jurisdictions; report to the state veterinarian or health department.