Arizona CVT flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Steady-state drug concentration

The plasma concentration reached when drug elimination equals drug input. Approximately five half-lives are required to achieve steady state with a constant dosing regimen.

Volume of distribution

The apparent volume that would contain the total body drug at the same concentration as plasma. It is calculated as amount of drug in the body divided by plasma concentration.

COX-1 versus COX-2

COX-1 supports gastric mucosal protection and renal blood flow, while COX-2 mediates inflammation and pain. Selective COX-2 inhibitors spare COX-1 but still carry renal risk.

Minimum alveolar concentration

MAC is the alveolar anesthetic concentration at which 50 percent of patients do not respond to a noxious stimulus. A lower MAC value indicates a more potent agent.

Anesthetic stage III

Stage III is surgical anesthesia and includes four planes. Plane 2 is the ideal surgical depth with regular respiration and absent palpebral reflex.

Aseptic surgical field

The clipped and scrubbed surgical site is prepared with alternating chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine and alcohol, moving from the incision site outward in concentric circles.

Adult canine dental formula

The adult dog has 42 permanent teeth: 2 times (incisors 3/3, canines 1/1, premolars 4/4, molars 2/3) per side.

Modified Triadan system

Teeth are numbered by quadrant. Permanent dentition uses 100, 200, 300, and 400 series; deciduous teeth use 500, 600, 700, and 800 series.

Periodontal disease staging

Stage 1 has less than 25 percent attachment loss, stage 2 has 25 to 50 percent, stage 3 has 50 to 75 percent, and stage 4 has more than 75 percent.

Packed cell volume

PCV is the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood, measured after centrifugation of a microhematocrit tube. Normal canine values are roughly 37 to 55 percent.

Radiographic opacity order

From most radiolucent to most radiopaque: air, fat, soft tissue and fluid, bone, and metal. Gas appears black and metal appears white on a radiograph.

Vertebral heart score

A radiographic measure of cardiac size. The long and short axes of the heart are summed in vertebral lengths; normal is approximately 8.5 to 10.5 in dogs.

Capillary refill time

The time for color to return after blanching the gingival mucosa. Normal is under two seconds; prolonged CRT suggests poor perfusion or shock.

Resting energy requirement

RER in kcal per day equals 70 times body weight in kilograms raised to the 0.75 power. It estimates energy needs at rest for nutritional support.

Fluid deficit calculation

Deficit in milliliters equals body weight in kilograms times percent dehydration times 1000. Maintenance needs of about 50 to 60 mL/kg/day are added separately.

Triage color categories

Red indicates immediate life-threatening problems, yellow indicates urgent treatment within hours, and green indicates non-urgent patients that can safely wait.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation ratio

Chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute with 30 compressions to 2 ventilations for two rescuers. Continuous compressions with asynchronous breaths are also acceptable.

Heatstroke cooling endpoint

Active cooling with room-temperature water and fans stops when body temperature reaches about 103 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid overshoot hypothermia. Complications include DIC and hypoglycemia.

Canine parvovirus

A highly contagious viral enteritis causing hemorrhagic diarrhea and leukopenia, especially in unvaccinated puppies. Diagnosis uses fecal antigen ELISA or PCR; treatment is supportive.

Feline hyperthyroidism

A common disease of older cats causing weight loss, polyphagia, tachycardia, and elevated T4. Treatment options include methimazole, radioiodine, or thyroidectomy.

IRIS kidney staging

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

Low-stress handling

Restraint techniques that minimize fear and injury, such as towel wraps, pheromones, and minimal force. They reduce stress and improve safety for patient and staff.

Feline fear signals

Flattened ears, tucked tail, dilated pupils, hissing, and withdrawal indicate fear or stress. Recognizing these signals guides safer, gentler restraint choices.

Puppy socialization period

Roughly 3 to 16 weeks of age, when puppies form lasting social attachments. Positive exposure to people, animals, and environments reduces later fear and aggression.

Veterinarian-client-patient relationship

A VCPR requires the veterinarian to know the patient, be available for follow-up, and obtain client consent. It is required for prescribing and extra-label drug use.

Controlled substance records

DEA-registered controlled substances require secure storage and records of receipt, use, and disposal. Schedule II drugs need separate recordkeeping and strict accountability.

Five Freedoms

A welfare framework covering freedom from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain and disease, fear and distress, and freedom to express natural behavior.

Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

After exposure, wash the wound thoroughly, then give rabies immune globulin and a vaccine series. Rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear.

Leptospirosis transmission

A bacterial zoonosis spread by rodent urine and contaminated water. It causes fever and renal or hepatic disease in animals and people; vaccination reduces risk.

Toxoplasmosis prevention

Toxoplasma gondii oocysts are shed in cat feces. Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes or use gloves and wash hands afterward.

Cat scratch disease

Caused by Bartonella henselae and transmitted by cat scratches or fleas. It causes lymphadenopathy in people and is usually self-limiting.

Reportable zoonotic diseases

Diseases such as rabies, anthrax, and brucellosis must be reported to the state veterinarian or public health department according to local regulations.