KA Vet Tech flashcards

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

Normal feline temperature

Adult cats normally run 38.1-39.2 °C (100.5-102.5 °F). Values above 39.5 °C suggest fever or heat stress and warrant rechecking with a calibrated thermometer.

Capillary refill time

Press the gingival mucosa until blanched and count seconds until color returns. Normal is two seconds or less; prolonged CRT indicates poor perfusion, while immediate refill suggests vasodilation.

Resting energy requirement formula

RER in kcal/day equals 70 times body weight in kilograms raised to the 0.75 power. Illness factors multiply RER to estimate daily caloric needs for hospitalized patients.

Minimum alveolar concentration

MAC is the end-tidal anesthetic concentration at which 50 percent of patients do not respond to a supramaximal stimulus. Isoflurane MAC in dogs is roughly 1.3 percent.

Atipamezole reversal dose

Atipamezole reverses dexmedetomidine and medetomidine. A common approach gives a volume equal to the alpha-2 agonist volume intramuscularly, adjusting for the specific product concentration.

Anesthetic eye position

As anesthetic depth increases, the globes rotate ventrally and centrally. Loss of this rotation with a fixed, central eye suggests a surgical plane or excessive depth.

Surgical scrub duration

Chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine scrub is applied to hands and forearms for three to five minutes before gowning. Brushes are avoided on skin because they cause abrasions.

Sterile field contamination

Any sterile item contacting a non-sterile surface is contaminated. Sterile personnel keep hands above waist level and non-sterile staff maintain at least twelve inches of distance.

Autoclave biological indicator

Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores verify steam sterilization efficacy. Indicators are placed in challenging pack locations and incubated after the cycle to confirm spore kill.

Acetaminophen in cats

Cats lack efficient glucuronidation, so acetaminophen causes methemoglobinemia and Heinz body anemia. It must never be dispensed to cats, even in small doses.

Drug volume calculation

Multiply the dose in mg/kg by body weight in kg to get total milligrams, then divide by concentration in mg/mL to get milliliters. Verify with a second calculation.

Permethrin toxicity in cats

Concentrated permethrin spot-on dog products cause tremors, hypersalivation, and seizures in cats. Treatment is supportive with decontamination, muscle relaxants, and seizure control.

Regenerative anemia marker

Reticulocyte count determines regeneration. Increased reticulocytes indicate blood loss or hemolysis, while a normal count with anemia suggests nonregenerative marrow disease.

Urine specific gravity ranges

Dogs typically concentrate urine to 1.015-1.045 and cats to 1.035-1.060. Isosthenuria near 1.008-1.012 suggests loss of concentrating ability.

Cytology sample handling

Fine-needle aspirates are smeared thinly, air-dried rapidly, and stained with a Romanowsky stain such as Diff-Quik. Delay before fixation distorts cell morphology.

Radiographic opacity order

From least to most opaque: air, fat, soft tissue and fluid, bone, then metal. Knowing this order helps identify free gas, effusion, and mineralized structures on survey films.

ALARA principle

Radiation exposure should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. Distance, shielding, dosimeters, and avoiding manual patient holding reduce occupational dose.

Ultrasound transducer frequency

Higher frequencies of 7-15 MHz improve resolution of superficial structures but penetrate poorly. Lower frequencies of 2-5 MHz penetrate deeper for abdominal and cardiac imaging.

Permanent dental formula dog

An adult dog has 42 permanent teeth, counted as two times incisors 3/3, canines 1/1, premolars 4/4, and molars 2/3 per side.

Feline resorptive lesions

Odontoclastic resorptive lesions appear as pink defects at the gingival margin and are painful. Treatment is extraction or crown amputation, not restoration.

Dental scaling anesthesia

Scaling and polishing require general anesthesia with a cuffed endotracheal tube and pharyngeal packing. This protects the airway from water, calculus, and debris.

CPR compression rate

Chest compressions are delivered at 100-120 per minute with a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio before an advanced airway. Rotate compressors every two minutes.

Anaphylaxis epinephrine dose

Epinephrine is given at 0.01 mg/kg of the 1:1000 concentration intramuscularly or diluted intravenously, along with fluid resuscitation. Monitor for recurrence over 24 hours.

Heatstroke cooling target

Cool with room-temperature water and fans rather than ice water. Stop active cooling near 39.5 °C to avoid overshoot, and monitor for DIC and kidney injury.

Feline low-stress restraint

Use a towel wrap or cat bag and avoid scruffing, which increases fear. Covered carriers and pheromone spray reduce stress during examination and venipuncture.

Canine fear warning signs

Tucked tail, ears back, lip licking, yawning, and whale eye signal anxiety. Growling or snapping is a warning that should prompt reduced restraint, not punishment.

Positive reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus after a behavior increases that behavior's frequency. It is preferred over aversive methods, which raise fear and risk of aggression.

VCPR requirement

A valid veterinary-client-patient relationship requires the veterinarian to assume responsibility, have sufficient knowledge of the animal, and be available for follow-up before prescribing.

Written estimate purpose

An estimate gives the client a cost range before treatment and documents informed consent. Costs exceeding the estimate require client approval and a record entry.

Medical record contents

Records include date, signalment, history, examination findings, diagnosis, treatments, and client communications. They are legal documents retained according to state requirements.

Rabies bite documentation

A biting animal's vaccination status and exposure history are recorded. Unvaccinated animals may require isolation or quarantine under local public health law.

Maintenance fluid rate

A common maintenance infusion is 2-3 mL/kg/hr for fasted dogs and cats, adjusted for ongoing losses, perfusion, and urine output. Daily requirement is about 50-60 mL/kg.