Reception Triage Phone Evaluation

Transcription

1 Reception Triage Phone Evaluation Peter Piper Memorial Conference August 13, 2017 Jennafer Snyder Client Services and Referral Manager

2 My cat is constipated 6 y/o MN DSH Vocal Frequenting the litter box Eating Meow Mix Hx of crystals 15 y/o FS Abyssinian Vocal Frequenting the litter box Quiet On prescription K/D

3 My dog is limping... 3 y/o FS Gordon Setter 9 y/o MN Golden Retriever 6 y/o M Dachshund Outside, unattended in a heavily wooded area Painful, swollen and non-weight bearing LFL with possible bruising Tried to jump on couch Vocal Dragging rear limbs Slow growing growth on distal radius Grade 2/4 lameness ADR Eating and drinking

4 My dog seems quieter than normal... 8 y/o FS Labrador Retriever 2 y/o MN Pug 7 y/o FS German Shepherd ADR with progressive lethargy x 3-4 days Possible increased RE flaring lips Pale MM Swollen abdomen Hx trash bandit Guests in the home Decreased appetite Recently ate a meal Panting Sudden onset unproductive retching Possibly swollen abdomen

5 I don t think my cat is eating as much 6 y/o FS Bengal X 8 week old M DSH Obese Owners away for 6 days Used a self feeder Icteric MM Depressed Recently adopted Decreased appetite Ocular and nasal d/c Sneezing ++ BAR

6 Don t diagnose over the phone Discussions Resistant clients: Inform the client: There is no way to properly evaluate your pet without a physical examination from a doctor. Inform the client: No one knows your pet better than you. If the symptoms you noted caused enough concern to call, then they are cause enough to have your pet evaluated.

7 Painful/Stressed Pets Cats:Remove the top of the carrier if the pet is resistant, then close once loaded Small pets: Gather in a comforter or thick towel Large dogs: If ambulatory, use a makeshift sling (e.g., strong reusable shopping bag) If non-ambulatory, elicit the help of friends/neighbors and move onto a strong makeshift gurney (e.g., comforter/canvas) Use caution; Use a muzzle if available

8 Exposures Venomous animals If possible, take photo from a safe distance to aid DVM in identifying Present pet for immediate evaluation Keep pet calm and quiet Bufo/Cane toad exposure Rinse mouth, pointing the direction of water toward the nose avoiding the ingestion of any water/toxin Present pet for immediate evaluation Heat Stroke Avoid ice baths or the application of rubbing alcohol to the body Cool-water baths ok Remove pet from the heat and present for immediate evaluation Run the AC while in transport Offer cool water - don t force Plants Sago palm/cycads Mushrooms Lilies Oleander

9 Exposures Toxins 1. Call ASPCA Poison Control at Establish a case, write down the number and bring it with you to the clinic. Note: Inform clients beforehand there is a consultation fee, but they will be dealing with a board-certified toxicologist and this information is vital to the care of their pet 2. Bring any and all packaging with you and make a rough determination of consumption if you cannot quantify exact amounts Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) Bleach Baits (snail, rat, gopher, roach, etc.) Coffee Insecticides Alcohol Fertilizers Grapes/raisins Cocoa mulch Yeast dough, Gorilla Glue, uncooked rice Cigarette butts Xylitol (artificial sweetener) OTC flea and tick medications (esp wrong size or species) Onions, garlic, chives NSAIDS - Ibuprofen, Rimadyl, Deramaxx, etc. Chocolate dark>light, depends on size of pet & amount Tylenol -Cats Paint balls Recreational drugs (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.) Essential oils Vitamins Chemotherapy drugs (topical, oral, etc.) - 5 Fluorouracil Prescription medication ingestion or overdose both for the client and pet

10 Recognizing an Emergency Respiratory Signs Increased respiratory rate (Cats: Open-mouth breathing) Increased respiratory effort Gasping Abdominal effort Flaring of the lips/nostrils Positioning (praying) Excessive respiratory noise Coughing, hacking, snoring, squeaking, honking, whistling, wheezing Blue/purple gums, tongue, paw pads Cyanosis

11 Recognizing an Emergency Urogenital Signs Straining or unable to urinate (males>females) Excessive amount of blood in the urine Abnormal coloration of urine Dystocia Difficult labor Inability to pass puppy/kitten Penis protruding from sheath for excessive period - paraphymosis Discharge from vulva intact female

12 Recognizing an Emergency GI Signs Vomiting Vomiting >24 hours Retching without production, restlessness -especially large, deep chested breeds Blood in vomitus Frank Coffee grounds appearance Diarrhea Excessive Bloody Abnormal coloration Inappetence/Anorexia >24 hours

13 Visual Signs Mentation Behavioral changes Lethargy Depressed/Dull Unresponsive Fly biting Pain Shaking Panting Salivating Crying Weakness Difficulty or inability to walk Gum color Brick red Pale Muddy/grey White Blue Collapse Seizure(s) Rapid movement of the eyes (nystagmus vertical, horizontal, rotary) Discharge From the vulva From the eye From the prepuce From a wound Bleeding Swelling (face, extremities, etc.) Hives

14 Questions?

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