Veterinary Nursing: Clinical Signs, Fractures & Pain PDF

What would you said triage? The process of rapidly classifying patients on the basis of clinical priority. Categorise urgent, life threating cases, from those that can wait. **Clinical Signs of Shock in Animals** Shock occurs when there is a failure in circulation, leading to inadequate oxygen de...

What would you said triage? The process of rapidly classifying patients on the basis of clinical priority. Categorise urgent, life threating cases, from those that can wait. **Clinical Signs of Shock in Animals** Shock occurs when there is a failure in circulation, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. It is a medical emergency. **General Signs of Shock:** 🔴 **Cardiovascular Signs:** - **Pale or white mucous membranes** (gums, conjunctiva) - **Prolonged capillary refill time (CRT)** (\>2 seconds) - **Weak, rapid pulse** - **Cold extremities (ears, paws)** 🫁 **Respiratory Signs:** - **Rapid or shallow breathing (tachypnoea)** - **Difficulty breathing (dyspnoea)** 🧠 **Neurological Signs:** - **Lethargy or weakness** - **Unresponsiveness or collapse** - **Dull or altered mental state** 🌡️ **Other Signs:** - **Hypothermia (low body temperature)** - **Vomiting or diarrhoea (sometimes with blood)** - **Decreased urine output** (if kidneys are affected) **Emergency Response:** If an animal shows signs of shock, it needs **immediate veterinary care**, as shock can quickly become fatal. Treatment often includes **IV fluids, oxygen therapy, and addressing the underlying cause** (e.g., trauma, blood loss, infection). Pyrexia is a infection in the body, hyperthermia is due to environment. **Clinical Signs of Pain in Animals** Pain in animals can be **acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term)** and may present differently depending on the species and cause. **General Signs of Pain:** 😿 **Behavioural Changes:** - **Restlessness or agitation** (e.g., pacing, difficulty settling) - **Hiding or withdrawing** (especially in cats) - **Aggression or unusual reactivity** (growling, snapping, biting) - **Reduced interaction with people or other animals** 🦴 **Mobility and Posture:** - **Limping or stiffness** - **Reluctance to move, jump, or climb stairs** - **Hunched posture or guarding a specific area** - **Shifting weight or repeatedly changing positions** 🗣️ **Vocalisation:** - **Whining, whimpering, or groaning** - **Hissing or growling (cats)** - **Increased or unusual barking/meowing** 🍽️ **Appetite and Drinking:** - **Reduced or absent appetite** - **Reluctance to chew or difficulty eating (dental pain)** - **Drinking less or more than usual** 🔴 **Physiological Signs:** - **Increased heart rate (tachycardia)** - **Rapid breathing (tachypnoea) or shallow breaths** - **Dilated pupils or squinting** - **Sweating (in horses) or excessive drooling** **Chronic Pain (e.g., Arthritis, Cancer):** - **Slower movement, stiffness after rest** - **Licking or chewing at painful areas** - **Depression or decreased activity levels** **Emergency Response:** - **Severe pain** (e.g., trauma, fractures, GDV) requires **immediate veterinary care**. - **Chronic pain** (e.g., arthritis) should be managed with **long-term treatment plans** (e.g., pain relief, physiotherapy, lifestyle adjustments). - **Pain assessment tools** like the **Glasgow Pain Scale** can help assess severity in dogs and cats. Pain is a **welfare issue**, and animals should receive **prompt pain relief and veterinary attention** when needed. A blue and white background with text Description automatically generatedA diagram of a bone Description automatically generated Closed and open fracture, complete and incomplete fracture know it for the VN03 exam. Incomplete: little crack in the bone Complete: full break at the bone Open: when the bone is poking through the skin Closed: bone under the skin A diagram of a broken bone Description automatically generated Greenstick -- incomplete fracture Simple -- clean break Open -- poking out of the skin Comminuted -- multiple fractures this is closed If it is distracted it is where the bones have come apart but it is still a clean break so still a simple fracture. Harris fracture -- Growth plate, S Symphysis is the joint between the bone  A close-up of a bone Description automatically generated **Pathological fractures occur through areas of weakened bone, usually due to tumours or nutritional deficiencies** **Dislocations - a bone out of socket, may or may not be going in and out.**  Urmar, velpuero sling need to know. A screenshot of a phone Description automatically generated  A close-up of a yellow background Description automatically generated