Table of Contents

Preface xi Acknowledgments xii Companion Website xiii Section 1 Animal Biology 1 Chapter 1 Cells and Basic Tissues 3 Summary 3 What is Biology? 3 Cells 6 Animal Tissues 6 Blood 9 Bone and cartilage 13 Muscular tissue 14 Nervous tissue 16 Chapter 2 Movement of Materials within the Body 17 Summary 17 Diffusion 17 Osmosis 18 Phagocytosis 19 Active transport 19 Body fluid 19 Acids and bases in the body 20 Tissue fluid and the lymphatic system 20 The lymphatic system 21 Functions of the lymphatic system 22 Chapter 3 Body Systems and Functions 24 Summary 24 The circulatory system 24 The respiratory system 31 The digestive system 40 The urinary system 51 The nervous system 53 The endocrine system 59 The sense organs 62 The skin 66 The skeleton 68 The reproductive system 73 Homeostasis 79 Chapter 4 Basic Genetics 81 Summary 81 What is genetics? 81 Why is genetics important? 81 Important events in the history of genetics 81 Chromosomes, genes and DNA 82 Genetic terms 83 Cell division 83 Breeding and genetics 87 Chapter 5 Body Areas 89 Summary 89 Thoracic cavity 89 Abdominal cavity 89 Pelvic region 90 Cavity linings 90 Section 2 Animal Health and Husbandry 91 Chapter 6 Animal Welfare 93 Summary 93 Definition of animal welfare 93 How is animal welfare assessed? 94 Animal welfare legislation 95 Animal welfare organisations 106 Animal rights 107 Chapter 7 Basic Animal Health Care 108 Summary 108 Assessing the health status of an animal 108 Factors affecting health status 112 Prophylactic treatments 116 Microchipping 116 Chapter 8 Disease Transmission and Control 118 Summary 118 How can disease be transmitted? 118 Incubation of disease 122 Infection 122 Diagnosis of disease 123 Basic animal treatments 124 Chapter 9 Basic Microbiology 127 Summary 127 Microbial terms 128 Bacteria 128 Viruses 132 Fungi 132 Protozoa 133 Chapter 10 Diseases of the Dog and Cat 135 Summary 135 Diseases of dogs 135 Diseases of cats 141 Immunity 148 Chapter 11 Zoonotic Diseases 149 Summary 149 Dogs 149 Cats 150 Zoonotic diseases from other species 150 Prevention of zoonotic diseases 150 Chapter 12 Parasitology 152 Summary 152 Parasitology terms 153 External parasites 153 Ectoparasites in birds 160 Ectoparasites in reptiles 160 Internal parasites 161 Chapter 13 Hygiene 166 Summary 166 Disinfectants and antiseptics 166 Terms relating to hygiene 167 Disinfectants 167 Antiseptics 172 Chapter 14 Basic Nutrition 174 Summary 174 Proteins 175 Carbohydrates 177 Fats/lipids 178 Vitamins 178 Minerals 179 Water 181 General considerations for feeding 182 Life stages for nutrition of the dog and cat 182 Nutritional differences between the dog and the cat 183 Home-made diets 184 Feeding guidelines 184 Nutritional balance 185 Dietary supplementation 185 Growing puppies and kittens 186 Adult 187 Working dogs 187 Senior dogs and cats 187 Pregnancy 189 How much should be fed? 190 Chapter 15 Handling 191 Summary 191 Possible reasons for handling 191 Approaching an animal for handling 192 Handling procedures 192 Restraint procedures in the dog and cat 198 Chapter 16 Grooming and Coat Care 202 Summary 202 Reasons for grooming 202 Main aims of grooming 203 Grooming dogs 203 Cats 220 Chapter 17 Other Animals Kept as Pets 225 Summary 225 Basic husbandry for other animals 225 Small mammals 227 Birds 252 Fish 259 Reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates 267 Section 3 Nursing 271 Chapter 18 First Aid and Nursing 273 Summary 273 First aid 273 Evaluating situations requiring first aid intervention 274 Poisons 282 Insect stings 283 Bleeding or haemorrhage 283 Shock 285 Heat stroke (hyperthermia) 287 Hypothermia 288 Bone fractures 289 Wounds 290 Types of wound 291 Eye injuries 292 Chapter 19 Basic Bandaging 294 Summary 294 Reasons for bandaging 294 Aims of bandaging 295 Rules for bandaging 296 Application 296 Chapter 20 The Hospital Environment 299 Summary 299 Environmental temperature in the hospital environment 300 Hygiene and cleaning 301 Routine room cleaning 302 Chapter 21 The Hospitalised Patient 308 Summary 308 Records and monitoring 308 Observation 308 Feeding and watering 309 Hygiene 310 Temperature control 311 Recumbent patients 312 Handling the hospitalised patient 312 Welfare during hospitalisation 313 Nursing models 313 Isolation and barrier nursing 314 Pathogenic resistance 314 Medication 315 Fluid therapy 315 Environmental enrichment 315 Chapter 22 Monitoring Temperature, Pulse and Respiration 317 Summary 317 Temperature 317 Pulse 320 Respiration 322 Chapter 23 Pharmacy and the Administration of Drugs 325 Summary 325 Routes of administration 326 Pharmacology and dispensing 327 Handling and dispensing of drugs 330 Drugs glossary 332 Chapter 24 Isolation and Quarantine 333 Summary 333 Isolation 333 Quarantine 334 Further Reading 337 Appendix: Anatomy and Physiology Terminology 341 Index 345

About the Author

Sue Dallas VN Cert. Ed. is a qualified veterinary nurse,and has worked in veterinary schools and veterinary practices inthe UK and in North America. She has taught on bothveterinary nursing and animal care courses for over 22 years andhas been involved in a number of educational and examinationdevelopments in the UK and New Zealand. Sue has spoken atveterinary congresses both in the UK and around the world,promoting nursing and care of animals through training andeducation. Emily Jewell BSc (Hons), MSc, Cert. Ed. is a CurriculumArea Manager in Animal Management at Reaseheath College inNantwich, Cheshire. Emily graduated from the University ofLeeds in 1995 with a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science. Afterworking in a land-based college in Wiltshire for 7 years, shereturned to study and graduated from Harper Adams UniversityCollege in 2003 with an MSc in Animal Health and Welfare. Emily has taught across a range of subjects and has hadresponsibility for many different species. Emily has alsopreviously worked as an External Verifier in Animal Management forthe awarding body Edexcel.

Reviews

This book will be useful for introductory level courses in animal biology, animal nursing, or veterinary assistant programs. (Doody s, 6 February 2015) The depth, detail, and subject matter of this book are definitely appropriate for veterinary assistant students, and the price is in line with most soft-covered textbooks of similar size and quality. (JAVMA, 15 December 2014)