OBJECTIVES• Discuss provision of comfort safety and
hygiene
• Identify optimum temp humidity light level
and ventilation
• Identify bedding and litter materials and
their attributes
• List ways to provide warmth and discuss
adv and disadv.
• Discuss exercise and contraindications
• Describe and justify bathing, grooming, nail
clipping, hoof trimming and dental care
• List common ectoparasites and simple
control measures
• Discuss owner visits
BASIC NECESSITIES FOR HOSPITALISED ANIMALS
A clean, comfortable, warm environment, as free of stress as possible.
Food and water at all times unless restricted for medical reasons.
Adequate exercise and grooming care unless restricted for medical
reasons.
Suffering should be relieved promptly and humanely.
Every patient should be treated humanely and with dignity at all times.
What have you observed in clinics that meets these needs???
HYGIENE AND SAFETY
Why is a high standard of hygiene important in the hospital?
How often should the cages stalls and housing of the following
species be cleaned as a routine. Dogs, cats, horses, birds and
reptiles.
How do the toileting needs of hospitalised dogs and cats differ ?
What causes COPD (heaves) in horses
What should be done for a cat with snuffles who has discharges
from eyes & nose, and is dribbling and crusty because of mouth
ulcers
Provides warmth
Provides comfort
Provides protection
from injury eg pressure
sores & scald
BEDDING
What are the adv and
disadv of the following
types of bedding• Newspaper• Polar fleece blanket• Wool blanket• Towel • Vet bed
Good ventilation reduces
odour and aerosoled
pathogens
Would you use bright light
or dark to encourage rest in
the following patients: a dog,
a horse, a morepork, a hawk?
VENTILATION & LIGHTING
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of the following
ways of keeping patients warm• Blankets and towels• Vet beds• Heat lamps• Hot water bottles• Heat pads• incubators
How close can a heat lamp be
placed near a patient?
WARMTH
Optimum temperatures
for kennels and catteries:
Healthy adults should not
drop below 70C
Whelping pups• 26-290 C up to one week
of age • 21-260 C 0ne to two
weeks of age• 20 C0 two weeks to
weaning
Benefits of exercise • Reduced peripheral
odema• Encourages
urination and defecation
What are the
precautions and
contraindications for
exercising hospital
patients
EXERCISE GROOMING AND BATHING
How often should an inpatient
be groomed?
What are 3 key reasons for
normal grooming (and bathing)
Why would medicated
shampoos be used?
Which breeds is it particularly
important to obtain owner
permission to clip…and why?
Reasons nails need clipping• Soft ground or indoor pets• Geriatric• Immobilised • Abnormal gait and wear
due to prior injury• Puppies still suckling• Long nails more likely to
be torn or cause abnormalities of gait or become ingrown
• Horses re-shoe or trim/6wks