CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

•Cardiovascular system
1.Arteries and veins
a.Arteries – carry blood away from
the heart
b.Veins – carry blood towards the
heart
2.Heart – is a hollow, muscular
organ that pumps blood around
the body
• Functions of the cardiovascular
system
1.Transport of nutrient
2.Supply of oxygen
3.Transport hormones
A. Blood – fluid carried by arteries and
veins
• Somewhat sticky and viscous (5times
more viscous than water)
• Specific gravity of 1.06
• pH 7.4 (slightly alkaline)
• Color
• Bright red – oxygenated blood
• Dark red – unoxygenated blood
• 6-10% of the body weight
•Composition of blood
1.Cellular elements
1.Red blood cells (erythrocyte) RBC
2.White blood cells (leucocytes) WBC
3.Platelets (Thrombocytes)
2.Fluid elements
1.Plasma
2.serum
• Cellular Elements
1.Red blood cells (RBC)
a.Disc shape, non-nucleated,
biconcave cell
b.Transportation of Oxygen
c.Composed of water and
hemoglobin
• Disease/abnormalities
a.Anemia – Low RBC
b.Polycythemia – too much RBC
2.White blood cells (WBC)
• Nucleated cells capable of independent
movements
a.Granulocytes – contains granular
materials in their cytoplasm
1. Neutrophils – first line of defense against
infection (greatest number of all WBC)
2. Eosinophils – Red staining granules,
increases in number during allergic
reaction
3. Basophils - blue staining granules , involve
in mast cell formation
a.Agranulocytes – very little
granular materials in their
cytoplasm
1.Monocytes – largest WBC, involve
in phagocytosis
2.Lymphocytes – produces
antibodies, neutralizes or fixeds
toxins, and aids in fat resorption in
the intestines
Disease or abnormalities
1.Leucopenia – decrease in number
of WBC
2.Leucocytosis – Increase in
number of WBC
3.Platelets
• Smallest of the cellular elements and
responsible for blood clotting

Abnormalities:
• Thrombus – a cloth remained fixed in the lumen
of the blood vessel
• Embolus – a cloth that freely floats in the blood
stream
B.Pulse
• determines the rate, rhythm
and amplitude of the heart
•Taken using ears, fingers,
stethoscope or
electrocardiogram (ECG)
Terms associated with pulse rate

Bradycardia- marked slowing of

the heart
Tachycardia- increase pulse rate
Arrythmia- no heart beat
 Sites for taking pulse rate in animals

ANIMAL SITE
Horse Submandibular artery (face)
Cattle facial artery and coccygeal
artery
Pig femoral artery and coccygeal
artery
Goat and sheep femoral artery
Cats and dog femoral artery