The Veterinary Nurse: CPD zone
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The Veterinary Nurse CPD is available on its own or with a subscription. The CPD units are approved by Harper Adams University College, one of the UK's leading providers of veterinary nurse education. Each unit comprises a number of multiple-choice questions based on articles published in the journal, enabling subscribers to reinforce the learning provided by the journal. As a registered user you will have access to a personal CPD dashboard that will record the results of your questionnaires and store your personalised certificates of completion.
CPD Units available
Small animal post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation
Post-operative rehabilitation of the canine patient is now becoming recognized as an important facet of veterinary medicine. Rehabilitation may be provided by a variety of animal health professionals including animal physiotherapists, veterinarians and veterinary nurses. This article outlines the aims of rehabilitation following orthopaedic surgery, when to commence therapy, appropriate selection, administration and monitoring of treatment techniques, contraindications and when to refer on to a qualified animal physiotherapist or back to the referring veterinarian.
Feline hypertension: an overview
High blood pressure (hypertension) is an common problem in geriatric cats. Routine measurement of blood pressure can contribute to optimal clinical care. Veterinary nurses play an important role in measurement of blood pressure in routine clinical practice. This article discusses the procedure of blood pressure monitoring in cats, the interpretation of results and the management of hypertension.
Diabetes pathophysiology and disease management
Diabetes is a disease that presents in many different forms, but diabetes mellitus is the most common form seen in dogs and cats. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is more common in dogs than cats and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is more common in cats than dogs. The incidence of diabetes varies depending on the species, age, physical attributes, genetic make up and gender of the animal. Clinical signs almost always include polyuria and polydipsia, but can also include polyphagia, weakness, weight loss, unkempt haircoat and changes in behaviour, among others. There are a number of successful treatment strategies that can enable the diabetic dog or cat to lead a long fulfilling life. Many of these treatment plans require careful monitoring of blood glucose, daily insulin injections and modifications in diet and lifestyle habits. This article provides a detailed overview of these clinical signs and the treatment of diabetes.
Anaesthesia for caesarean section in the bitch
No anaesthetic should be considered ‘routine’ and each should be tailored to the individual patient. This is particularly important when considering an anaesthetic protocol for caesarean surgery, where the veterinary nurse will encounter many additional complicating factors that influence the selection of drugs and the dose rates used. This article looks at the challenges to anaesthesia that are presented by the altered physiology of the bitch during pregnancy, and the immature physiology of the neonates, and aims to provide the veterinary nurse with the knowledge required to select appropriate anaesthetic agents and techniques to maximize survival rates of both bitch and puppies. Download the full article here.
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac disease in the cat. A recent study showed that in a cardiology referral centre, 46% of cats with heart disease showed no clinical signs of heart failure, which highlights how difficult it can be for veterinary nurses to recognize a cat with severe heart disease. Stress should be avoided at all costs because it acutely increases the body’s metabolic demands, and patients with heart failure do not have sufficient cardiac reserve to accommodate such an increase in demand. Cats therefore should always be handled in a calm and competent manner. If a cat presents to the veterinary practice in respiratory distress, first line treatment should include oxygen therapy, diuresis and minimal handling. Download the article here
Ticks and tick-borne diseases of pets in the UK: risks to travellers
The ticks most commonly found on dogs and cats in the UK are Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus and Ixodes canisuga with other Ixodes species rarely seen. Ixodes ricinus is known to transmit some diseases in the UK. Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis punctata also are indigenous and found occasionally on pets in some areas. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has been identified after importation on pets from continental Europe and elsewhere, despite the requirements for treatment for ticks under the pet travel scheme. The increasing movement of pets between the UK and countries with a high incidence of tick-borne disease will require the use of strong parasite control programmes to prevent the spread and import of tick-borne disease. Download the full article here
Dietary management of the cat with chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common diagnoses made in clinical practice. Most affected cats are middle aged or older and one survey estimated that a third of cats over the age of 10 years suffer from this condition. In recent years there have been many advances in treatment options and long-term home care can be very rewarding for all involved. Treatment aims to help the patient to compensate for their renal disease allowing them to live for as long as possible with as good a quality of life as possible. Dietary management of cats with CKD is the most proven treatment for this condition — several studies have now shown emphatically that cats with CKD that will eat prescription renal diets will live much longer, healthier lives. Typical survival times are increased from 7 to 16 months when cats with CKD are fed a renal prescription diet. In those situations where feeding a renal prescription diet is not possible, standard cat food can be modified in some ways to more closely meet the needs of a cat with CKD. Other treatments can be extremely helpful to the individual and should be used where specific indications exist. Download the full article here.
Principles of barrier nursing in the veterinary hospital
This article aims to remind the reader of the importance of following barrier nursing techniques when patients are in isolation. It covers not only the use of personal protective clothing and equipment to protect veterinary nurses and patients and disinfection of the unit, but also how important the psychological needs of patients are as well as effective communication between veterinarians, nurses and clients. Download the full article here.
Options for skin coverage: reconstruction and skin grafts
Surgical skin reconstruction is increasingly being used in small animal practice to achieve maximal skin coverage. This reconstruction can take the form of either skin flaps or free skin grafts depending on the location of the tissue deficit. A variety of skin flaps are available for use, with or without the inclusion of the direct cutaneous arteries (DCAs) to maintain their vascular supply. Where closure of the deficit is not achievable using a local skin flap then a free skin graft may be selected. The ultimate success of the skin graft ‘take’ will depend greatly on surgical technique as well as post-operative care which is where the role of the veterinary nurse is vitally important in pro-actively achieving a good outcome. Relatively ‘new’ techniques such as the use of negative pressure wound therapy or vacuum assisted closure (VAC) is also being introduced to the management of both open wounds and skin flaps and grafts and so far the studies suggest that its use can result in a much more favourable outcome for wound closure. Download the full article here
Preventative dental care: educating the client
Many pets seen every day in general practice have dental diseases requiring treatment. Most owners are unaware that their pet has a problem so it is up to veterinary professionals to recognize and treat these diseases to ensure that pets have an infection free and pain free mouth. The role of the veterinary nurse is vital in educating clients about dental problems and helping to prevent them occurring, or helping to prevent the disease progressing further. This article discuss common dental diseases and how the nurse can get the owner engaged in dental clinics. Download the full article here
Inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been defined clinically as a spectrum of intestinal disorders associated with chronic inflammation and thickening of the small and/or large intestinal tract. The condition can affect both dogs and cats and there is a notable breed disposition with some forms of the disease. The cause of IBD is largely unknown but dietary allergy, parasite sensitivity, bacterial imbalance and breed predisposition may be important factors contributing to the condition. Definitive diagnosis usually involves intestinal biopsy and treatment is typically centred around management of the clinical signs. Complete remission of the disease is not always possible. Dietary support is a very important part of long-term management of this condition and veterinary nurses can play an important role in client education. Download the full article here.
A patient care report of a Doberman in heart failure
This article describes the nursing care provided to a Doberman in acute life threatening heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a common problem seen in medium–large breed dogs. It can sometimes lead to congestive heart failure (CHF) and cause arrhythmias, further compromising cardiac function. Nursing care, monitoring and therapy are vital for the patient both in the short term, but also long term, to optimize quality of life.
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Approach to analgesia in the feline geriatric patient
The appropriate provision of analgesia is essential in all species. Pain causes intensification of the stress response, activates the sympathetic nervous system, affects food intake and metabolism, modifies behaviour and can adversely affect the immune response. If excessive pain is improperly managed, the sequelae can contribute to morbidity and mortality, particularly in already debilitated patients. In order to effectively manage pain, it is important to be able to recognize pain, utilize a multimodal approach and select appropriate analgesic drugs. Detection of pain, particularly chronic pain, can be difficult in cats and there are relatively few analgesic products licensed for long-term use in this species. Provision of effective analgesia in the geriatric cat can be challenging. This review aims to summarize how to first recognize the presence of pain in older cats and consider the pharmacological effects of ageing, and second how to adopt a multifaceted approach using the different classes of analgesics available.
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How to prevent perioperative hypothermia in the dog and cat: causes and consequences
Perioperative hypothermia is a common problem during anaesthesia in dogs and cats, and can have detrimental effects on the patient’s physiology, such as impairment of kidney function. Veterinary nurses are usually heavily involved in veterinary anaesthesia, participating in pre-anaesthetic assessments, premedication, induction and monitoring of anaesthesia and observations during the recovery of the patient. Perioperative hypothermia is a problem that many veterinary nurses know must be prevented by using patient warming methods, but they may be unaware of the full pathophysiology of this condition and why certain preventative methods may or may not be successful. This article examines the causes of perioperative hypothermia, the consequences to the patients and the methods of prevention.
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A practical approach to caring for patients with appetite reduction
Nutrition is a critical component of caring for and treating small animals and one in which nursing staff play a crucial role. A reduction in appetite should not be considered a normal consequence of illness, therefore it is essential to identify the reasons for this alteration in feeding habits and address the primary underlying disease. It is vital that veterinary nurses utilize their knowledge and skills to assist in the identification of patients at risk of malnutrition, formulation of feeding plans and provision of necessary nutritional support.
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Hay for a healthy rabbit: the importance of appropriate feed
Rabbits are herbivores with teeth and a gastrointestinal system adapted for a high-fibre, low-nutrient diet. Providing an appropriate diet, based on grass or grass hay supplemented with vegetables and only small amounts of concentrates, is important for tooth health, gut function and maintenance of a healthy weight. Water is also essential, and most rabbits prefer a bowl to a sipper bottle. Rabbits that fail to ingest their caecotrophs and those with diarrhoea (which is rarer) may become soiled and prone to flystrike. Obesity resulting from excess concentrate feed can lead to health problems including soiling and arthritis, and obese rabbits are more likely to develop life-threatening hepatic lipidosis if they stop eating for any reason. Stress minimization is important in hospitalized rabbits to avoid anorexia, which has potentially life-threatening consequences.
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