• Veterinary Technician’s Large Animal Daily Reference Guide is an indispensible resource in daily clinical practice. Covering all aspects of a veterinary technician’s responsibilities in the care of large animals, the book provides fast access to practical information, aiding newly trained and skilled large animal technicians alike in performing their daily tasks. Designed as a quick yet comprehensive reference, the tables and charts throughout offer reliable, easy-to-follow information on horses, cattle, small ruminants, and pigs.

    With chapter topics ranging from anatomy and nutrition to emergency and critical care, the book’s coverage includes both the basics of veterinary care and more specialized nursing procedures. Veterinary Technician’s Large Animal Daily Reference Guide is an invaluable tool for any veterinary technician working with large animals, as well as veterinary technology students seeking more information on these species.

  • Contributors xi

    Preface xiii

    Acknowledgments xv

    Chapter 1: Anatomy 3
    Amy D’Andrea and Jessica Sjogren with illustrations by Nathan Davis

    Introduction 3

    Systems Overviews 4

    Chapter 2: Preventative Health Care 21
    Amy D’Andrea and Jessica Sjogren

    Introduction 22

    Physical Examinations 22

    Large Animal History 23

    Preliminary Examination 24

    Types of Physical Examinations 26

    Physical Examination 27

    Other Assessments 29

    Vaccinations 29

    Guiding Principles for Vaccinating an Animal 29

    Adverse Reactions from Vaccinations 29

    Vaccine Categories 29

    Equine Injection Sites 30

    Vaccines for Preventing Fatal Diseases in Horses 31

    Vaccines to Minimize Illnesses in Horses 35

    Areas of Injection and Blood Draws in Cattle 44

    Dairy and Beef Cattle Vaccines 45

    Small Ruminant Vaccines 50

    Areas of Injection in Swine 52

    Swine Vaccines 52

    Rabies 55

    Anthrax 58

    Hoof Care 59

    Common Diseases and Disorders of the Hoof 60

    Lameness Grading Scale 61

    Chapter 3: Nutrition 63
    Ashley Moulton

    The Importance of Nutrition 64

    Vitamins 65

    Minerals 67

    Nutritional Defi ciencies 69

    Nutritional Requirements for the Horse 76

    Nutritional Requirements for the Dairy Cow 76

    Nutritional Requirements for Beef Cattle 77

    Nutritional Requirements for Sheep 77

    Nutritional Requirements for Swine 77

    Chapter 4: Internal Medicine 79
    Jessica Sjogren and Amy D’Andrea

    Cardiovascular 81

    Dermatology 88

    Endocrinology 93

    Gastroenterology 95

    Musculoskeletal 115

    Neurology 121

    Ophthalmology 125

    Respiratory 128

    Urology 137

    Chapter 5: Reproduction 141
    Katie Brown, Ryan Healy, and Maria Ferrer

    Introduction 143

    Female Reproductive Anatomy 144

    Male Reproductive Anatomy 146

    Reproductive Parameters in the Male 149

    Ejaculatory Fractions in Boars and Stallions 149

    Female Reproductive Physiology 150

    Large Animal Reproductive Physiology 150

    Phases of the Large Animal Estrous Cycle 151

    Large Animal Gestation 152

    Male Breeding Soundness Examination 153

    Genital Examination 153

    Semen Collection Techniques 154

    Semen Evaluation 155

    Sperm Abnormalities 155

    Minimum Acceptable Testicular Size in

    Satisfactory Potential Breeders 156

    Minimum Acceptable Semen Quality in

    Satisfactory Potential Breeders 156

    Female Breeding Soundness Examination 157

    Steps of the Female Breeding Soundness

    Examination 157

    Estrous Detection 158

    Estrous Detection Techniques 158

    Behavioral Signs of Estrus in Large Animals 159

    Artificial Insemination 159

    Proper Timing, Dose, and Site of Semen

    Deposition during Artificial Insemination 160

    Bovine Artificial Insemination Technique 161

    Small Ruminant Artificial Insemination Methods 161

    Swine Artificial Insemination 162

    Equine Artificial Insemination 163

    Handling and Preparation of Frozen Semen for Artificial Insemination 164

    Pregnancy Diagnosis 164

    Earliest Time or Ideal Time Range (Days Post-Ovulation) for Pregnancy Diagnosis in Large Animals 165

    Abortion 165

    Common Causes of Abortion 166

    Management of Abortion 167

    Twin Reduction in Mares 168

    Parturition 168

    Definition of the Stages of Parturition 168

    Clinical Parameters of Parturition 169

    Radius 316

    Radius Radiography 316

    Tibia 318

    Tibia Radiography 318

    Metacarpus (MCIII)/Metatarsus (MTIII) 320

    Metacarpus/Metatarsus Radiography 321

    Cervical Spine 322

    Cervical Spine Radiography 322

    Thorax 324

    Thorax Radiography 324

    Pelvis 326

    Pelvis Radiography 326

    Skull 327

    Guttural Pouch/Larynx/Pharynx 327

    Skull Radiography 327

    Chapter 9: Pharmacology 329
    Patrick Hennigan

    Introduction 331

    Basic Calculations 331

    Antifungal Drugs 332

    Anti-Infective Drugs: Aminoglycosides, Cephalosporins, and Chloramphenicol 333

    Anti-Infective Drugs: Fluoroquinolones, Lincosamides, and Metronidazole 334

    Anti-Infective Drugs: Penicillin, Sulfonamides, and Tetracyclines 336

    Antiparasitic Drugs: Antinematodals 337

    Antiparasitic Drugs: Anticestodals 338

    Cardiovascular Drugs: Antiarrhythmics 339

    Cardiovascular Drugs: Anticoagulants and

    Calcium Supplements 340

    Cardiovascular Drugs: Contractility Enhancers and Positive Inotropes 341

    Renal and Urinary Tract Drugs: Diuretics 342

    Renal and Urinary Tract Drugs: Acidifiers and Alkalinizers

    Renal and Urinary Tract Drugs: Alpha Blocker and Anabolic Steroids 343

    Antihistamines 343

    Musculoskeletal Drugs: Adrenal

    Cortical Steroids 344

    Musculoskeletal Drugs: Nonsteroidal

    Antiinflammatory Drugs 345

    Central Nervous System Drugs: Anticonvulsants 347

    Central Nervous System Drugs: Muscle Relaxers 347

    Central Nervous System Drugs: Alpha-2 Agonists 348

    Central Nervous System Drugs:

    Dissociative Agents 348

    Central Nervous System Drugs: Opioids 349

    Chapter 10: Emergency Care 351
    Jamie Defazio

    Introduction 352

    Emergency Supplies 352

    Emergency Equipment and Supplies 353

    Monitoring/Nursing Equipment 354

    Triage 354

    Assessment Triage (General) 355

    Cardiac Emergencies 356

    Procedure for Indirect Blood Pressure

    Measurement for the Large Animal Patient 358

    Respiratory Emergencies 359

    Ophthalmic Emergencies 363

    Gastrointestinal Emergencies 366

    Procedure for Nasogastric Intubation

    in the Equine Patient 369

    Neurologic Emergencies 370

    Reproductive Emergencies 373

    Toxicological Emergencies 375

    Metabolic Emergencies 379

    Neonatal Emergencies 380

    Urogenital and Renal Emergencies 383

    Musculoskeletal Emergencies 385

    Trauma/Shock 388

    Over-the-Needle and Over-the-Wire Intravenous

    Catheter Placement in the Jugular Vein 391

    Chapter 11: Holistic Medicine for Horses 393
    Jessica Sjogren

    Holistic Medicine 394

    Massage Therapy 394

    Hydrotherapy 396

    Chiropractic Therapy 398

    Herbology 400

    Oils 405

    Acupuncture 407

    Glossary 409

    Bibliography 415

    Index

  • Amy D'Andrea, BS, MEd, CVT, VTS (EVN), is an instructor at the New England Institute of Technology Veterinary Technology Program in Warwick, Rhode Island, USA.

    Jessica Sjogren, BS, CEST, is an emergency technologist at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, USA.

Veterinary Clinics of North America
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