LESSON 5 BASIC ANIMAL CARE Veterinary Science Unit

LESSON 5: BASIC ANIMAL CARE Veterinary Science Unit – Kennel Assistant Training Mr. Dieckhoff

Male Reproductive Tract

Female Reproductive Tract

Canine Reproduction • Dogs hit puberty in 6 -12 months • Seasonal Polyestrus (in heat for 9 days) • Gestational period is about 2 months (56 -70 days) • Large dogs average 6 -12 puppies per litter • Small dogs average 1 -6 puppies per litter • Newborns must have colostrum • “A crying puppy is either a cold puppy or a hungry puppy” • Orphaned pups • 1 cup milk, 1 tsp salad oil, 2 egg yolks, 1 drop infant vitamins • Feed 15% of body weight divided into 4 -6 meals • Wean at 6 weeks • Should eat 4 times per day • Remove dewclaws • Crop ears of boxers

The First Year • Chew Toys • Crate Training • Eyes open at 2 weeks • Baby teeth • Start coming in 2 -4 weeks • All present at 2 months • Adult teeth • Start coming in a 4 months • All present by 7 months • Puppy Kindergarten • Best between 3 -6 months • Spay (female) or neuter (male) • Best between 6 -7 months • Use E-collar (Elizabethan Collar) to prevent licking/biting

General Cat Care • Reach puberty at 4 -12 months • Toms • Queen – reach puberty quicker • Seasonally polyestrous (long day breeders) • Cats have a 2 month gestation (61 -63 days) • Average litter is 3 -6 kittens • Take 1 hour to 1. 5 days • Must lick to stimulate kitten activity • Orphaned kittens • Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) • ½ cup milk, 1 egg yolk, 1 drop infant vitamins, 2 tums (calcium) • Eyes and ears opened by 10 -14 days • Wean between 4 -6 weeks old • Continuously brush long haired cats and use feline laxatives to prevent hairballs

BASIC ANIMAL CARE QUIZ

#1 • What is the approximate gestation period for a dog? A) 20 days B) 180 days C) 63 days D) None of the above

#2 • Larger female dogs typically have… A) Smaller litters with larger puppies B) Larger litters with 6 -12 puppies C) Larger litters with 2 -3 puppies D) None of the above

#3 • A newly weaned puppy is normally fed…. A) 2 meals a day B) 4 meals a day C) 10 meals a day D) 1 meal a day

#4 • When do baby teeth normally erupt in puppies? A) 6 -8 weeks B) 10 -12 weeks C) 2 -4 weeks D) 1 -2 weeks

#5 • What is the blood vessel that runs through a dog and cat’s nail called? A) Vein B) Quick C) Artery D) Nail vessel

#6 • What is a preventive step that can help control hairballs in cats? A) Regular brushing B) Use feline laxatives C) Do not feed canned cat food D) A and B are correct

#7 • What part of a dog’s foot is commonly removed when young? A) First toe B) Quick C) Dewclaw D) Smallest toe

#8 • The proper name for an E-collar is a…. . A) Eileen collar B) Elizabethan collar C) Expresso collar D) None of the above

#9 • Which reproductive organ in a male dog produces the milky substance added to sperm to create semen? A) Testicles B) Epididymis C) Prostate Gland D) Retractor muscle

#10 • At what age will a puppy open their eyes? A) 1 day B) 1 week C) 2 weeks D) 3 weeks

#11 • What is the first milk produced from a mother, rich in antibodies? A) Milk replacer B) Colostrum C) Lactation D) Milk fever

#12 • Female cats are __________ and male cats are ____________. A) spayed; neutered B) neutered; spayed C) castrated; spayed D) spayed; ostricized

Answers 1. C 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. D 7. C 8. B 9. C 10. C 11. B 12. A