1. Animal Nursing and Assisting
VT296 VTNE Review
Spring 2014
Animal Nursing and Assisting
Veterinary Science Program

2. Objectives To know: What nursing care entails
The role of various health-care team members

3. Vital Assessments
Five vital assessments that should be monitored on every patient:
Temperature
Pulse
Respiration
Pain
Nutrition

4. Temperature Core body temperature Should be monitored:
Early sign of metabolic instability
Should be monitored:
On each hospital visit
While the patient is hospitalized
During surgery or anesthesia

5. Temperature Taken rectally Mercury thermometer
Battery operated digital thermometer
Electronic probe

6. Temperature Normal ranges: Dogs: 101oF – 102.5oF
Cats: 100.5oF – 102.5oF
Horse: 99oF – 101.5oF

7. Pulse Status of the cardiovascular system
Palpation of an artery close to the surface of the body
Femoral artery
Dorsal pedal artery
Abnormality in perfusion

8. Pulse
A pulse deficit is a difference in the number of heartbeats and pulse beats

9. Pulse Animal type Minimum pulse rate Maximum pulse rate Adult dog
70 bpm
160 bpm
Large breed
60 bpm
140 bpm
Toy breed
180 bpm
Puppy
220 bpm
Adult cat
120 bpm
240 bpm
Kitten
Adult horse
32 bpm
40 bpm
Neonatal foal
80 bpm

10. Pulse Normal Absent Weak Thready Bounding Irregular Dogs
Two normal heart rhythms
Normal sinus rhythm
Sinus arrhythmia

11. Cardiac murmurs Turbulence that disturbs the normal flow of blood
Dysfunctional valves
Septal defects

12. Blood pressure
Systolic
170 mmHg
Diastolic
120 mmHg

13. Capillary Refill Time (CRT)
Blood volume
Circulatory status
Indicator of perfusion
Video

14. Respiration Tachypnea Hyperpnea Dyspnea Very rapid breathing
Breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal
Dyspnea
Respiratory difficulty or distress based on subjective observation

15. Respiration Depth of respiration
Increased depth of respiration conveys a greater demand for oxygen
Shallow respiration is indicative of metabolic issues or mechanical issues

16. Respiration Labored breathing Hyperventilation
Breathing difficulty typically indicated through abdominal movements happening at the same time
Hyperventilation
Shallow, rapid respiration
Severe metabolic acidosis and severe respiratory distress