structures designed to excrete urea, uric acid, and other wastes. The bladder is a small, balloon‐shaped structure that serves as a receptacle for fluid to be eliminated, and the urethra is the canal that carries the urine from the bladder. The urine enters the ureters, which are long tubes that funnel urine down into the bladder.
Figure 3.18 Internal organs.
Source: Courtesy of Jennifer Smith, LVT.
Figure 3.19 Gallbladder/liver.
Source: Courtesy of Jennifer Smith, LVT.
Figure 3.20 Urinary system.
Source: Courtesy of Jennifer Smith, LVT.
Figure 3.21 Female anatomy.
Source: Courtesy of Jennifer Smith, LVT.
The male genital anatomy is mostly located on the outside of the animal. The scrotum is the sac that contains the testicles, which are responsible for producing sperm. The penis is the male sex organ and is covered by the prepuce. The female genital anatomy consists of the ovaries and the uterus. There are two ovaries that are located caudal to the kidneys. There are two horns of the uterus. The external opening of the female genital passage is the vulva (Figure 3.21).
Internal structures of the thorax
The heart is the main blood‐pumping organ in the chest. The trachea is the tube that carries air to the lungs. The lung is the main respiratory organ and is composed of several lobes. The diaphragm is the muscle that divides the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Conclusion
It is important for veterinary assistants to be familiar with basic anatomical directional terms and structures. This will allow them to properly communicate with other staff members.
References
1 Colville, T. and Bassert, J. 2002. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians. Mosby, St Louis, MO.
2 Sturtz, R. and Asprea, L. 2012. Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses: A Clinical Approach. Wiley‐Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ.
www.wiley.com/go/burns/textbookvetassistant2
Please go to the companion website for assignments and a PowerPoint relating to the material in this chapter.
Chapter 4 Behavior, Handling, and Restraint
The entire veterinary health‐care team is responsible for safety awareness in the veterinary hospital. In the hospital setting, this includes the safety of health‐care team members, clients, and patients. Animals, not unlike people, may behave differently in unfamiliar surroundings. The goal of the veterinary health‐care team is to insure that the veterinarian or technician examining the patient does not get bitten by a frightened and/or injured patient and that the patient does not suffer further injury. All animals have an innate fight or flight instinct that causes the animal to flee or stand ground and fight when faced with a stressful situation. It is important for veterinary assistants to remember that each patient will behave differently in different procedures and perhaps even from visit to visit. Remember, each patient has its own psyche and reacts to stress in its own individual way.
Social behavior
Canine
The social groups of today’s domesticated dog are small and open to outsiders. They typically are not related individuals. There are also misperceptions regarding dominance in dogs and that dominance is a personality trait in dogs. In fact, we may see one dog take the dominant role in one relationship and a subordinate role in a different relationship. Additionally, the roles may change between individuals, depending on the context in which the interaction takes place. Oftentimes, dogs are incorrectly labeled by their owner as “dominant” when, in fact, they are fearful. The misconception that dog behavior problems are caused by dominance has led to the application of cruel and unwarranted forms of dog training. Dog owners do not need to and should not physically dominate their dogs and need to be educated regarding this mistaken belief. These types of behavior are likely to worsen the fearful dog's behavior problems.
Dogs use an assortment of visual and olfactory cues when initiating, forming, and maintaining social relationships. When unfamiliar dogs meet, they normally begin by sniffing each other. Commonly, sniffing begins at the head and moves toward the tail. Typically, the dog that approaches and begins sniffing first may resist being sniffed itself. Although the dog that is being sniffed is most likely to try to terminate the interaction, it is unlikely to attempt to sniff the other dog. A dog attempting to take the dominant role will usually approach the other dog in a “T position” in relation to the other dog's shoulder and begin sniffing. If accepting a subordinate role, the other dog turns its head away from the approaching dog. Dogs that do not want the subordinate role may resist being sniffed and may attempt to sniff the other dog. In addition, dogs may signal submission by rolling over on their back and exposing the inguinal region. This area is then sniffed by the dominant dog. Often, the dog will raise a paw loosely, wag its tail loosely, and exhibit a play face. Often this followed by the play bow indicating it is ready for play.
Feline
Domestic cats are often thought of as animals which do not socialize. However, this is not totally correct. Domestication of the cat has led to a highly adaptable animal that can modify its social organization according to available resources. Feral or free‐ranging cats may live in large groups, especially when a food source may be near – a dump, a fishing village, or a farm. These groups are typically made up of related females which form a dominance pecking order. A dominant male cat's territory includes the territory of these females. The male is allowed when a female is in estrus. Other cats deemed to be “strangers” are chased away from the territory.
Domestic cats that live together may demonstrate cheek rubbing and tail rubbing. Even so, household cat aggression continues
