Page 194 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

178 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

and firmly pressing the gum tissue with a finger for a
second or two. When you remove your finger count the
seconds it takes for the gum tissue to go from white to
red. A slow refill time can indicate shock, blood loss, or
dehydration. Record CRT in seconds in the patient’s file.

Learning Exercise

Practice TPR and CRT on every animal you can!
The more times you hear normal heart rates, feel
normal pulses, or listen to clear lungs the easier it
will be to pick up abnormal rates. Write down at
least five TPRs and CRTs and check your reference 1 2 3 4 5
book to see if all five of your patients were within FIGURE 10.8 Body conditioning score drawing.
normal limits.

Body Conditioning Score and Weight

Body conditioning score (BCS) is a subjective evaluation
of the patient, whereas weight is an objective evaluation
or fact. Weight is useful for calculating calorie require-
ments and for drug dosage calculations. BCS is used to
determine if the weight of the animal fits its frame. Some
animals within the same breed can have a very large
frame and some are very petite so weight alone when
determining if an animal is fit is not enough. There are
two scoring scales available, one based on a 1–9 score
and the other based on a 1–5 score. Whatever scale is uti-
lized, it is important that everyone in the clinic utilizes
the same scale. This moves BCS closer to an objective
evaluation.
Figure 10.8 is a sketch of a 5‐point scale. The follow-
ing points are a description of what to look for and what
number to select as you evaluate the BCS:
FIGURE 10.9 Walk‐on scale. The scale platform sits on the floor and
1. Very thin: the hourglass shape over the back is very the control head is hung on the wall above it. This has the on–off
pronounced. The ribs, shoulder, and hip bones are button, and pound and kilogram units option.
very prominent. When viewed from the side the
abdomen is severely tucked up toward the back.
2. Underweight: when viewed from above the patient 5. Obese: the back is broadened and flat when observed
develops an hourglass shape because of the tuck from above. It is impossible to palpate ribs because
between the thorax and pelvis. No fat is felt over the they are covered with a heavy layer of fat; the
ribs, shoulder, or hip bones. shoulders and hip are also covered. There will not
3. Ideal: the ribs are easily palpated under a thin layer be a waist. A cat’s belly will be pendulous.
of fat. Ribs, shoulder, and hip bones are visible with
only a slight layer of fat over them, muscle is felt in
the biceps and biceps femoris areas. A slight hour- Weighing Patients
glass shape or waist is desirable. Once the BCS is established it is time to weigh the
4. Overweight: the back is slightly broadened when animal. Animals over 20 lb should be weighed on a walk‐
viewed from above. There is a moderate layer of fat on scale (Figure 10.9). It should give you a number in
over ribs, shoulders, and hip. The ribs are difficult US weight and in metric. Any animal under 20 lb should
to palpate, and the tail base is thickened. If there is be weighed on a baby scale (Figure 10.10). If the scales
a waist it will be subtle. Cats will have a belly roll. do not have the ability to measure kilograms you will