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Volume 2; Issue 2 February, 2013 Sending Your Practi cum Skills and FROm The ediTOR: Timesheet via the Digital Dropbox dANA hANNAN You can now send all your practi cum skill sheets, videos (up to 20MB each), and pic- tures via your My Courses page uti lizing the Digital Dropbox. To upload the fi le, se- lect the butt on labeled “Digital Dropbox” next to the Practi cum on your My Courses page. Next, upload your individual skills February is a funny month, people in PRACTICUM 2 DROPBOX sheet and ti mesheet to the folder created some parts of the country are snow- for each submission. boarding while others are seeing By: Brent Siniawski Once you upload your materials, your spring fl owers blooming. Where I am I’m very excited to announce the launch faculty evaluator will receive a noti fi cati on in Alabama, the Azaleas are bloom- of the digital dropbox for Practi cum 2 via email to review your skill. You’ll then ing early and it’s Mardi Gras season. students! This will allow a much easier receive an e-mail noti fi cati on indicati ng Beads and moonpies are fl ying off method for uploading materials and com- that your submission has been accepted, fl oats and people are dressing for municati on between both the practi cum parti ally accepted, or rejected. Your fac- evening balls and screaming “Throw evaluators and the student when skills ulty evaluator will be able to pass com- me something Mister!!” at masked on the site need att enti on. With the ments to you via the Feedback document paraders. digital dropbox, students will upload their in the Instructor Dropbox Files. Scanning practi cum skills directly to their practi cum and uploading your fi les will signifi cantly The writers for Tech Times 2.0 have evaluator. reduce the turnaround ti me for your skills brought a great variety of topics to evaluati on and make it much easier for the table this month! Practi cum 2 There will be a long transiti on into the you to submit skills sheets. Your Digital new digital dropbox in order to accommo- Dropbox will also serve as your dashboard students will be thrilled with the new date students who are already in Practi - for the skills you have submitt ed and the method for submitti ng their skills de- cum 2. Students that have been submit- status of each skill. scribed on page 1, and proctor exam ti ng their materials the “old way” via snail study skills are discussed on pages 7 mail can conti nue to do so if they prefer. Additi onal Video Submission Opti ons— & 8. Lola has tested a new treat and They may also take advantage of this new YouTube pronounced it “fi t for a dog” in all system to get faster feedback and save the You can also upload your individual skill the best ways! A great story about postage cost. All new students should use videos to YouTube and share the private the Yorkie Doodle Dandee is on page this method to upload their materials. link with your faculty evaluator for review. 5 and some very informati ve infor- During your upload, simply select “Un- There are two new opti ons for sending in listed” under the privacy setti ngs so that mati on about blindness in dogs is your practi cum skills to Penn Foster! The your video isn’t in the public “searchable” covered this month as well. Finally, objecti ve is to simplify and signifi cantly area. Name the video in the following Dr Jim brings his lecture regarding reduce the turnaround ti me for your format: Student#_Name_Skill# (Example: the History of the Technician forward skills and allow for easier individual skill 2342342_John Doe_Skill7). When your and explains the beginning of the submissions. upload has completed, copy and paste AVMA as we know it today and how your video URL link into a Word docu- the VTNE emerged. ment and upload it to the appropriate skill folder in the Digital Dropbox. You Enjoy your reading and studying this must use this naming format for YouTube month!! videos or they’ll be rejected.

Happy Valenti nes Day to All! Please contact Kathy Raune through a direct message on the community if you have any questi ons!! ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

on Animal Technician Activities and Training to spending effort for validating the PES techni- reflect a broader scope of committee responsi- cian exam since the employing licensed DVM bility to the AVMA. The name would be changed is already legally controlled. Yet, an increasing again in 1989 to Committee on Veterinary number of State Examining Boards were buying Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) to and administering the exam assuming that it utilize “veterinary” and also focus on “education” was AVMA-validated like the National Board of veterinary technicians. The use to the adjec- Exam (for DVM’s) without checking its content tive “veterinary” officially approved in 1989 by for validity of questions used to certify applicants the AVMA House of Delegates symbolized the in their states. Little did Dr. West know that his broad acceptance of Veterinary Technicians as analogy would be the rallying cry for AATE edu- well as an increasing need for more education cators and NAVTA leaders to continue lobbying beyond training in technical motor skills. the AVMA for PES validation for about a decade. These organizations’ persistent lobbying efforts 1972--The first national continuing education succeeded in 1985. meeting for animal technicians in USA was held From the Desk of: at the Western States Veterinary Conference in 1978--The AVMA added a continuing education Dr. Jim Hurrell Las Vegas, Nevada in February. This annual section for veterinary technicians to its program Director, Penn Foster meeting would have the largest attendance of at the annual convention in Dallas, TX after technicians at a CE meeting for the next two seeing the success of such meetings at Western Veterinary Technician Program decades. States and AAHA for several years.

FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, dR JIM 1973--The Association of Animal Technician 1979--44 of the 64 existing technician-training HAS TREATED US TO AN ONGOING LEC- Educators (AATE) was formed at the Third Sym- programs were accredited by the end of the TURE OF THE HISTORY OF THE VETERI- posium on Animal Technician Training in August year. There were only eight programs at the be- 1973. That fall, the first two programs were ac- ginning of the decade with none accredited until NARY TECHNICIAN. tHIS MONTH, THE credited by the new AVMA CATAT procedures: 1973. There would be no more expansion of LECTURE CONTINUES AND INTRODUCES Michigan State University under Dr. Harold Knirk the number of training programs (discontinued THE AVMA AND THE NVTE!! and University of Nebraska School of Technical programs would equal new programs for next Agriculture at Curtis under Dr. Walter Long. 15 years) until after 1995 when there were 68 The History of the Veterinary accredited. That number increased to 80 in 1999 Technician Profession 1974--Programs at Tacoma, WA; Sanford, NC; and 103 accredited programs in 2003! Colby, KS; Columbus, OH; Waseca, MN; and It is important for Veterinary Technician students to Madison, WI were the next group accredited. 1980’s--The “Adolescent” Decade of Develop- learn about the significance of the history of their ment profession. It is a very young profession (less than 1975--Programs accredited this year were in 50 years old), and is already rich with great stories Sacramento, CA; Kansas City, MO; Cincinnati, What (& when) were the signs of Veterinary and traditions. If a student knows the “roots” of this OH; Denver, CO; Glenwood Springs, CO, Delhi, Technician acceptance by the veterinary profes- great profession, it is easier to see the great poten- NY; Waco, TX; and Woodland Hills, CA. sion? tial for themselves and their profession in the future. Enjoy this look at where you came from! Dr. J 1976--The first Veterinary Technician journal 1980--The first refereed (meaning all articles was published as Methods, The Journal for Ani- must be reviewed and passed by expert review- 1970’s--The Early Development Stage mal Health Technicians in September. It was ers) designed for technicians were published in published for Animal Health Technicians (AHT’s) January 1980, as The Compendium on Continu- What were the most significant events of the in California bimonthly through January 1984. ing Education for The Animal Health Technician. 1970’s related to Veterinary Technician educa- The first issue included articles by Don Dooley The name was later changed to The Veterinary tion? on Drug & Supply Purchasing; by Dr George Technician in January of 1984. This decision Muller on Laboratory Diagnosis of Skin Disor- reflected growing national support of the name 1971--The Second Symposium on Animal Tech- ders; by James Wilson, DVM, JD, on The Legal change and helped bring about acceptance of nician Training was held at MSU to continue ad- Aspects off AHT’s; and a calendar of continuing the change in the veterinary profession. dressing problems common to all involved in this education (CE) events in California. new educational movement. A significant shift in The journal was initially published bi-monthly by attendee interest toward training technicians for 1976--The Association of Animal Technician Veterinary Learning Systems with Sally Oblas practice instead of research occurred compared Educators (AATE) held its first allied group Walshaw, MS, VMD as Editor in Chief and to the 1969 symposium. meeting in Cincinnati at the annual AVMA Walter Collins, DVM as Executive Director with convention. This was the beginning of much Richard Ford, DVM, MS as one of the editorial 1972--The US Office of Education (USOE) political lobbying by technician educators on is- board along with Jennifer Lombard, RANA, and released “A Suggested Two-Year Post High sues related to nomenclature and other matters. Lawrence Cromwell, AHT. This journal has con- School Curriculum Guide in Veterinary Science The AVTE made a proposal calling for AVMA tributed greatly to the professional development Technology, “ resulting from the efforts of Dr. validation of the Professional Exam Service of veterinary technicians both through monthly Walter Collins’ work under the grant described (PES) “national” exam (about 30 state boards continuing education articles and in develop- above. were using the PES Animal Technician Exam ing a professional image nationally, especially and erroneously assumed that its questions after the North American Veterinary Technicians 1972--The AVMA reached a new milestone by were validated like the DVM licensing exam). Association allied with it as its national journal instituting accreditation procedures for techni- This AVTE proposal caused AVMA staff member in May 1983. NAVTA would begin publishing its cian programs under a standing committee of Leland West, DVM to remark “the AVMA doing own professional refereed journal in 2002 (The the AVMA, the Committee on Accreditation for that would be like flying a 747 airplane across NAVTA Journal). Training of Animal Technicians (CATAT). Note: town instead of a taking a taxi.” His implication This name would change in 1975 to Committee was that technicians were not worth the AVMA 1980-- A meeting was held by state leaders of ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

technician organizations at the AVMA conven- to appoint a committee to develop a plan for 1989--The AVMA House of Delegates passed tion in Washington, DC. to discuss whether immediate implementation. Tragically, Dr. Keith (without debate!) the resolution for chang- organizing a national organization for animal died of a heart attack that winter, but his sub- ing terminology from Animal Technician to technicians was desirable. The meeting was committee under the leadership of Dr. Sheldon Veterinary Technician. The resolution had been supported in part by Neil Overman of Veterinary Pinkerton of Florida and Dr. Arnold Hentschl of rejected overwhelmingly by roll call voting in Leaning Systems. Michigan recommended reversal of the previous 1988. Continued persistent lobbying in 1988-9 position. The AVMA Executive Board estab- by the AVTE and NAVTA leaders and members 1981-- The first national organization of lished the Animal Technician Testing Committee for the change of terminology won over the veterinary technicians--The North American at its April, 1985 meeting. The first validated majority of states, several other organizations, Veterinary Technician Association (NAVTA) version of the exam was given in Maine in May many veterinarians and finally “won this battle.” was organized at a meeting at Michigan State 1986. The exam was named the Animal Techni- A growing shortage of technicians (and ap- University following the Seventh Symposium cian National Exam (ATNE) until 1989 when plicants to existing programs) certainly helped on Veterinary Technician Education. Technician it became the Veterinary Technician National strengthen the argument. Continued failure by educators (AATE) encouraged and strongly sup- Exam (VTNE). AVMA to recognize the importance of veterinary ported this formation for many reasons. There technicians to the veterinary profession would was a limit to what educators (mostly DVM’s 1986 --AATE became AVTE because Veterinary undoubtedly have worsened the shortage of then) could accomplish for this emerging profes- Technician educators wanted to help lead the technicians by discouraging future applicants sional group. If it was to become more than a way for AVMA to adopt the more descriptive and and even graduate technicians! Fortunately, trade, then it must stand on its own with its own accurate terminology nationally. Also in 1986, some of the early proponents (like associate professional association to represent its inter- a sub-committee of the AVMA Executive Board Dean Billy Hooper of Purdue who debated in ests with the veterinary profession Educational held an informal liaison meeting with represen- the late 1970’s with AVMA leaders and staff leaders were soon to have their expectations tatives of both NAVTA and AVTE at the AVMA Lee West that “technicians must be included in realized as NAVTA grew in stature, members, convention in Atlanta to discuss issues of mutual the profession, not excluded, to prevent future and resources beyond that of AATE/AVTE over concern. This began the process of cooperation discouragement and separation) had finally the next 10 years! between NAVTA and AVMA. Meetings between prevailed! AVMA and NAVTA have been held annually 1984--The “Compendium on Continuing Educa- since then to explore potential cooperation on This terminology change to Veterinary Techni- tion for the Animal Health Technician” changed issues of mutual concern. It was organized into cian led to these AVMA committee name and its name to “The Veterinary Technician” in Janu- a “technician liaison committee” of the AVMA acronym changes in 1989: ary of 1984, the first national journal to adopt the executive board. term Veterinary Technician. This change was Animal Technician Testing Committee (ATTC) proactively suggested by NAVTA and adopted 1988--The AVMA House of Delegates voted became the Veterinary Technician Testing by publisher Neill Overman and editor Dr. Rich- overwhelming NO to a resolution that would Committee (VTTC). This committee prepares ard Ford to reflect growing support for the name change terminology from “Animal Technician” and validates the technician’s national board” change. It helped to publicize and legitimize the to “Veterinary Technician.” This was contrary to exam. proposed name nationally five years before it a seemingly successful national lobbying effort was accepted by AVMA. before the meeting through state VMA’s whose Animal Technician National Exam (ATNE) be- delegates do the voting. Last minute politics, came the Veterinary Technician National Exam 1984-- NAVTA adopted a national code of ethics i.e., vote trading and changes of positions (VTNE). This is your current “national board!” for veterinary technicians. A code of ethical did not deter the leaders of AVTE and NAVTA conduct is a common characteristic of any from continuing to lobby for the change. The Committee on Animal Technician Educa- profession. Distribute current code of ethics for victory on the national exam validation issue tion and Activities and Training students to read. had taught these leaders an important lesson- (CATAT) became the Committee on Veterinary -never give up on the proposal if it is important. Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). 1985--The AVMA finally accepted responsibility It often takes several years of persistence to get This committee accredits VT programs in for validation the existing “PES Exam” through enough support to convince the AVMA House of USA. the AVMA Executive Board. The Professional Delegates to change a decision. Examination Service had been marketing the exam with the input of several technician educa- This should not be interpreted negatively against tor consultants since the mid-1970’s. State the AVMA. It just reflects how the delegates STER CO Boards of Veterinary Examiners had been representating many organizations, states, and FO L purchasing the exam assuming that the AVMA member opinions must function in a political LE N G National Board Exam Committee validated it arena. The AVMA, the veterinary profession’s N E E like the Veterinary National Board Exam. This only true national “umbrella” organization P proposal had been turned down in 1984 at the representing all factions, must be deliberate AVMA convention in New Orleans with strong in its decisions by the majority! This is the negative responses to several AATE lobbyists. American way of representative government! It took active lobbying to educate the leaders of Even then, AVMA vice-president Charles Ran- AVMA beginning with Dr. Walter Long’s efforts dall encouraged AATE officers to “be persistent of Nebraska who began attending the annual and it would eventually pass.” NAVTA commit- AVMA education reference committee meetings ted to become responsible for organizing the since the 1960’s. He convinced other technician validating body if AVMA wouldn’t adopt it. This educators to get involved in the political lobbying also helped garner support of the proposal. Dr. process and the lobbying expanded through the Richard Keith, program director of the technician 1970’s and 1980’s to include leaders of both program of Northeast Missouri State University AVTE and NAVTA. was serving on the AVMA Executive Board at the time and he convinced the Board in 1985 ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

response” (how the dog reacts to a contribute to or cause vision loss, Diagnosing Dog Blindness hand or other object being moved such as Lyme disease, Toxoplas- by: Sara Knutson rapidly towards its face); 2) the mosis, Bartonellosis or systemic size and symmetry of the pupils; 3) fungal infections. Ocular ultraso- A diagnosis of a dog with vision the pupillary light reflexes (PLRs); nography (ultrasound of the eyes) impairment or loss should not be 4) the dazzle, palpebral and corne- can also be done. taken as a catastrophe or a death al reflexes; 5) the vestibulo-ocular sentence. Most dogs normally reflex; 6) facial nerve function/fa- When the local veterinarian cannot rely much more on their senses of cial sensation; and 7) motor func- determine the cause of blindness, smell and hearing than they do on tion of the muscles of the eyes and she typically will refer the owner their sense of sight. face. Your veterinarian can provide and patient to a specialized veteri- you with the details of these vari- nary ophthalmologist for advanced Introduction ous vision tests. testing. This might include: 1) elec- troretinography, to assess retinal Blindness in dogs is often first Another common test of vision is to function; 2) a tap of the cerebrospi- noticed by owners when their dog observe the dog in a dark, familiar nal fluid; 3) vitreous centesis, with starts bumping into furniture, walls room in which the furniture has culture, titers and cytologic (cel- or other objects in its familiar envi- been rearranged. The same test lular) assessment of the sample; ronment. Most causes of blindness can then be done with the lights 4) evaluation of visual-evoked are not evident by looking at the on. A blind dog will react the same potentials; 5) magnetic resonance eye itself. way in both situations, while a dog imaging (MRI); and/or 6) computed with some vision will react more tomography (CT scan). These are How Canine Blindness is Diag- normally when the lights are on. very advanced diagnostic proce- nosed The attending veterinarian is in the dures. When presented with a dog sus- best position to describe the details Special Notes pected of having vision impair- of these examinations and their results to the owners of affected ment or loss, most veterinarians A diagnosis of vision impairment dogs. will perform a thorough physical or loss should not be taken as a examination and take a complete Most veterinarians will also do a catastrophe or a death sentence. history. They also typically will thorough neurological examina- Most dogs normally rely much draw blood samples for a complete tion on dogs with vision loss, and more on their senses of smell blood count and a serum biochem- of course will conduct a complete and hearing than they do on their istry profile, and will take a urine ophthalmic (eye) examination, as sense of sight. As vision fails, a sample for a urinalysis, to assess well. The ophthalmic exam may dog’s senses of hearing and smell the overall health of the dog and include: 1) a fluorescein stain test; become even more acute, which the status of the function of its vital 2) assessment of intraocular pres- usually helps the dog navigate organs. The dog’s blood pressure sure; 3) evaluation of any opacity familiar rooms and areas. may also be assessed, because of eye structures; and 4) evalua- high blood pressure (hypertension) Photo is from Tumblr.com tion of all aspects and structures of can contribute to retinal detach- the eyes after pharmacologically ment, which is one of the potential dilating the pupils with special eye causes of blindness. drops. The veterinarian will also conduct Thoracic radiographs (chest X- specific tests to assess the dog’s rays) may be taken to look for visual capacity. Examination of the evidence of cancer or systemic function of the cranial nerves is infectious disease. Specific blood essential to a diagnosis of the pos- tests are available to identify spe- sible causes of blindness. This in- cific infectious disease that might cludes assessing: 1) the “menace ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

Smoky the Yorkie Doodle It wasn’t long until she became buried their faithful little dog Dandy a member of the 5th Air Force, in a World War II .30 Caliber 26th Photo Recon Squadron. Ammo Box in the Cleveland by: Ashley Davis Metroparks, in Lakewood, Though not an “offi cial” Ohio. Nearly 50 years later, on war dog, Smoky fl ew 12 air-sea Veterans Day 2005, a bronze rescue and reconnaissance life-size sculpture of Smoky As the proud owner of a missions, were she spent many Yorkshire Terrier, I have become sitting in a GI helmet was un- hours hanging in a soldier’s veiled there. This very special accustomed to the numerous pack near, warding off enemy small dog jabs thrown about by monument is placed above the soldiers. She survived 150 air very spot that Smoky was laid my fellow dog loving friends, raids on New Guinea, a typhoon most of whom own large at her fi nal resting place and is at Okinawa, and numerous dedicated to “Smoky, the Yorkie breeds. From the ankle biter kamikaze attacks. Smoky aided jokes to the Napoleon Com- Doodle Dandy, and the Dogs the engineers at Luzon air- of All Wars”. Smoky lives on in plex teasing to my husband’s fi eld base to place a telegraph barbs that “anything under ten Wynne’s memoirs of their time wire when she pulled the wires together, Yorkie Doodle Dandy. pounds is a cat,” I have heard through a 70 foot long, 8 inch it all. In fact, I had generally diameter pipe, a feat that no agreed with them all. While my large breed dog could have ac- little yorkie is quite possibly the complished. Without Smoky, it cutest, cleverest, bravest dog would have taken the troops at ever, I cannot imagine her doing least three days to lay the wires half the things a German Shep- and replace the strip, putting 40 herd can accomplish. That was US fi ghter and reconnaissance until I came across the story of planes in danger of destruction Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier war by enemy bombings. Wynne hero. credits Smoky with saving his Smoky was only four life when she warned him of pounds and seven inches tall incoming shells on a transport when a young American sol- ship. She even jumped from a dier found her deep within the 30 foot tower with a specially jungles of New Guinea in 1944 made parachute. while serving in WWII. The sol- After the war, Smoky ider sold Smoky to Bill Wynne, returned to the Cleveland, Ohio a fellow troop, for $6.44 so he with Wynne and continued could return to his poker game. her career in the entertain- Wynne taught Smoky many ment business, performing tricks with which she enter- live on stage and TV for 10 tained the troops, and the two more years. She also became spent the next two years of the the fi rst therapy dog. Sadly, in war backpacking and fl ying over 1957 Smoky died unexpect- the Pacifi c. Smoky slept in Wyn- edly at the approximate age ne’s tent and shared his rations. of 14. Wynne and his family ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

tive to low light, and partly because of the tapetum Dog Anatomy: The Eye lucidum which lies underneath the rod cells and reflects «concentrated» light back through them. This by: Sara Knutson is a help to wild dogs who are likely to be hunting in In its basic structure, the dog’s eye is much like a hu- poor light conditions. As a further aid to hunting, dogs man’s but there are a few differences which mean that are particularly sensitive to seeing movement in the the dog has a different type and range of vision. distance. They perceive stationary objects relatively

poorly, though, which makes some individuals seem

clumsy. The Three “Coats” of the Eye Field Of Vision The dog’s eye is made up of three layers. From front The way a dog’s eyes are positioned on its head, to back, these are the sclera, theuvea and the retina. combined with good muscles for moving them around, The sclera incorporates the transparent cornea at the drainage system. Both top and bottom lids have a short gives a dog a comparatively wide field of view. The front of the eye. The uvea consists of three parts: cho- duct at the inner corner. The two ducts fuse to form a variation in the shape of dogs’ heads alters the roid, iris and ciliary body. The coroid contains a single lacrimal gland for each eye, leading tears to the placement of the eyes and modifies the field of vision reflective layer called the tapetum. nasal cavity. Various problems can cause blockage of between the breeds. In general, the brachycephalic these ducts and it is important to treat such problems (short-nosed) breeds like the Pug and Bulldog, have The Iris seriously. eyes situated on the front of the head, giving better The iris is a muscular ring controlled by the nervous The Eyelashes overlap in the field of vision than longer nosed breeds. system. It moderates the amount of light entering the eye, like the aperture of the camera. The ciliary body, a Eyelashes are absent from the lower lid of carnivores. The dolichocephalic (long-nosed) breeds tend to have ring of tissue behind the iris, is the point of attachment If these point the wrong way, they may hurt the eye. obliquely placed eyes with only a small overlap, and the for the supporting ligament which holds and moves the The eyelids deformities known as entropion and poorest stereoscopic vision of all but a narrow field of view

lens. It also plays a part in focusing the image on the ectropion are fairly common and affect certain breeds directly ahead of them. This may partly account for the ease

retina and secretes fluid for nourishing the cornea. more than others. with which the elegant sighthounds run into ditches or trip over small obstacles when running at full tilt. The Retina The Third Eyelid In man, fields of vision of the eyes overlap, so we have

The retina is the light-sensitive inner layer of the eye. Dogs have a third eyelid on each eye, known as stereoscopic vision and a good appreciation of depth and

It contains light-sensitive cells of two types: rods and the haw, or nictating membrane. This is mainly hidden distance. Although dogs have a wider field of vision, they’re

cones. Rods are very sensitive and work well in low under the lower lid and just a small part of the pig- not so good at judging distances. light levels. They only appreciate black and white. mented edge is visible in the corner of the eye close to

Cones operate under good lighting conditions and can the nose, although in some breeds it is very prominent.

appreciate colors. In a dog’s retina, only about 5% of The membrane acts like a windshield wiper for the eye

the cells are cones and the remainder are rods, so a sweeping away foreign bodies. When the eye is sud-

dog is probably largely color blind, seeing in black, denly drawn back into its socket or becomes sunken

white and shades of gray. through age or disease, the third eyelid becomes more prominent. If it appears suddenly and remains visible, The Eyelids this may be an indication of disease or slight pain. Watch the dog for other symptoms. A dog’s eyelids have a number of special features.

Under the upper lid is the lacrimal glandwhich produces The Dog’s Vision tears to keep the cornea moist and prevent it from

drying out and becoming inflamed. To avoid tears Dogs see better in the dark than man, partly because a

flowing down the face continually, there is a special dog’s retina is dominated by rods which are sensi- ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

Overview of Blindness in Dogs Special Notes PROCTOR TIME! OH MY!! by: Sara Knutson The inactivity of aging dogs is most by: Dana Hannan commonly attributed simply to “old In the most general of terms, blind- age.” However, it may also be due You have been studying and taking ness in dogs is the loss of the ability in part to failing eyesight, which can to see. Dog vision impairments often tests all semester; you’ve att ended make a dog reluctant to move around, webinars and posted on the commu- develop in stages over a prolonged even in a supposedly familiar environ- period of time. nity; now before you even knew ti me ment. A blind or visually impaired dog had passed it’s PROCTOR TIME!!! should not be turned loose in unfa- miliar surroundings, and the furniture What do you need to know to make Defi nition of Blindness in familiar areas should not be rear- it through your proctors successfully? ranged. Blind dogs have a “mental Well, the fi rst thing to do is to look up In the most general of terms, blindness map” of their environment and typically the “Proctor Exam FAQ” on the com- navigate extremely well within the is the loss of the ability to see. Vision munity! The search icon on the upper confi nes of their familiar home. impairments often develop in stages right hand corner of your screen over a prolonged period of time. will help you fi nd this document. It Causes of Canine Blindness explains the why’s, how’s, where’s and who’s of the proctor exams; but what Any condition that blocks light from it doesn’t say is WHAT DO I STUDY!! getting to the retina can impair a dog’s vision. This includes diseases of or So, the answer to that questi on is: damage to the cornea, retina or other STUDY the OBJECTIVES of every structures of the eye. Blindness can course you have taken. Look over the be caused by cataracts, glaucoma, beginning of each chapter in your text uveitis, corneal trauma, corneal ul- book and also in the study guides. ceration, lens luxation, retinal detach- You will see that every chapter has a ment, retinal hemorrhage, retinal set of objecti ves. The webinars that degeneration, retinal atrophy, cerebral you have been taking and the tests (brain) lesions affecting the optic nerve and quizzes have all been focused (congenital optic nerve hypoplasia, helping you understand and learn infl ammation [optic neuritis], neoplasia these objecti ves. [cancer], trauma, atrophy, abscess, optic chiasm lesions), cerebral swell- The best way to learn the objecti ves ing (edema), ivermectin toxicity, lead is gradually as you are reading and toxicity and infl ammatory, infectious or studying the chapters during your neoplastic diseases of the brain. courses. When you begin a new class, Many causes of canine blindness have read the assignment and then go a suspected genetic basis and may be SKIM those pages. Stop at that point highly breed and age-specifi c. Vision and do two things: review the objec- disorders seem to be more prevalent ti ves of the chapter (both text and in white-colored dogs, including white study guide), and read the test your- Boxers and white Great Danes. self questi ons for that chapter (don’t worry about answering them yet, just Prevention of Canine Blindness read them over). Remember when you are skimming the material, you Because of the numerous and un- are just giving yourself an overview- related potential causes of canine blindness, there is no realistic way to you don’t need to read every word of describe a sensible prevention proto- worry if you don’t understand it yet. col. NEXT, go back and read the material continued on page 8 ER OST CO F LL N E N G E E P Tech Times 2.0

PROCTOR TIME post a thread to find a study buddy in Continued from page 7 your class. A study buddy can be any- carefully, trying to understand the one who also wants to get together in material and highlighting important any fashion that works for you both concepts. Important concepts are to review and learn material (I have ones that help you understand the ob- a few study buddies now that I have jectives or answer test yourself ques- studied through several semesters tions! NOW, take the time to carefully with!) And don’t forget to play with it Lola’s Cookbook answer every test yourself question in a little and reward yourself when you By: Katie Marcinko both the study guide and the chapter. are working hard! I put post-it notes Carrot and Banana Treats Not just in your mind, write these on my dog one time with bones that I This month I have whipped some deli- answers down and go back to the was memorizing. It was pretty funny cious Carrot and Banana Treats that the text to be sure they are thoroughly when she woke up and shook them all furries in your life will love! To give them a answered correctly. Finally, go back over the room! I reward myself with Valentine twist I used cookie cutters in the to the objectives of the chapter and a movie, a treat, a trip to the gym, shape of a heart and a pair of lips. Bake review them in your mind, by now, whatever I think I really feel like doing up a batch and share the love, your pup you want to be able to answer them that day! will thank you for it! in your mind easily. Take the exam for Ingredients: that assignment and move on to the The PROCTORS are hard, they are 4 C Whole Wheat Flour next section!! meant to be a comprehensive exam I bunch of fresh, organic carrots(approx. over everything that you have learned 4-6) By using this method, when you get during that semester. As such, it is 3 Bananas ready to review for your PROCTOR easier to prepare all semester know- 1 large egg EXAMS, you will only need to refresh ing that you will be taking them at the 1/3 C Vegetable Oil yourself on material that you have end than to try to learn many courses Up to a ½ C water if needed in dough already learned. You may find that of material in depth quickly to take 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. you need to refer to your notes and them. They aren’t hard to make it 2. Measure out your Flour and add into a course materials on a few objectives, difficult for the student; they are hard large bowl for mixing. but you will likely find that much of it because there are AVMA standards 3. After peeling, pulse the carrots in a comes right back to you and that you that we meet as CREDENTIALLED food processor until you achieve a fine feel confident as you go to take your VETERINARY TECHNICIANS when we chop or chop by hand if you do not have proctor exam!! a food processor(but it makes it a lot complete this great course work! easier!) The most important part is to MAKE 4. Pulse the bananas or chop as well. As a CREDENTIALLED PENN FOSTER LEARNING FUN FOR YOURSELF!!!! 5. Add the carrot and banana in with the VETERINARY TECHNICIAN, you will flour. While you are taking the courses, at- assist your Veterinarian every day to 6. Add the egg and oil. tend webinars and establish a bond make animals lives better. You will 7. Mix until well incorporated. You may with your instructor by asking good treat, run diagnostics, monitor, calcu- need to add the water here in small course related questions or offering late doses, and nurse peoples pets ev- amounts to achieve a doughy consistency. insight from your experience! Get on ery day. It is a really rewarding career 8. Roll out your dough on a floured sur- the community and post questions because you will do something every face and use your cookie cutters. or create threads about your class single day that really matters to some- 9. Lightly grease your cookie sheets. and experiences! Many of the text- one and especially to the animals you 10. Bake for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes books offer online resources that are turn the oven off, but leave the cookies in are working with. Therefore, it isn’t free and fun- look at the inside front for another 35-40 minutes. This will help surprising that it takes a little extra achieve more of a traditional dog treat cover of your book and see if there effort and knowledge to be awarded consistency. are some you can look into. (cross- the degree for this career! Ask any word puzzles, anatomy charts, word Keep in the freezer and pull out 5-10 Veterinary Technician, and you will searches, and extra math problems minutes before treating your dog. They definitely get the same answer- should keep for up to a few months, if are just a few of the resources that they last that long! are available to you!) When you are It’s worth it!!!! studying, check the community and