The peer reviewed Practical CPD Journal for Veterinary nurses

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About The Veterinary Nurse

The Veterinary Nurse – now part of the UK-VET group of titles – is the leading international peer-reviewed journal for veterinary nurses. It publishes evidence-based clinical, educational and practical articles, in addition to the latest nurse-led veterinary research. It promotes gold standard care by supporting readers’ continuing professional development and by sharing best practice worldwide.

Clinical

Management of tubes, lines and drains

Management of tubes, lines and drains

  • Sunday, December 2, 2018

Infection control is of paramount importance when placing and maintaining tubes, lines and drains in veterinary patients. This article covers the most commonly placed instruments in veterinary patients and how to care for them at a high standard. Emphasis is placed on the importance of hand washing in practice. As veterinary professionals, nurses should ensure they are implementing the highest standards of cleanliness in their practices.

Latest CPD

Achieve all your CPD: The Veterinary Nurse  produces an extensive range for CPD content, supporting subscribers to complete the mandatory requirement of 45 hours’ CPD over a 3-year period. Premium and website subscribers can access our latest and archive modules, a selection of which can be found below. Subscribe Today

A guide to PPID

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common endocrine disorder of older equids. With a disease prevalence of over 20% in horses and ponies aged 15 years and older (Ireland and McGowan, 2018), it is of considerable importance in equine practice.

Babesiosis in the UK and approach to treatment

Babesiosis is a vector-borne disease of cattle which, in the UK, is caused by two species — Babesia divergens and Babesia major. Disease is sporadically seen in western Britain with a peak in the spring and another in the autumn. The most recognisable clinical sign is haemoglobinuria which gives babesiosis the colloquial name of ‘redwater fever’. Other clinical signs are pyrexia of 40°C, anorexia, depression, weakness, tachycardia and pipe stem diarrhoea, which progress to severe dehydration, recumbency and death in up to 21% of cases. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, confirmation of anaemia and examination of stained blood smears. Treatment involves administration of imidocarb dipropionate in all cases. Blood transfusion is indicated in cattle with a packed cell volume of less than 15%. Prevention is challenging in naïve adults as there is no commercially available vaccination; exposing youngstock to ticks should ensure natural immunity is acquired.

Genomic information in livestock has multiple uses in precision breeding and management

Genomics is the study of the structure, function, evolution and mapping of genomes which comprises DNA. All cells have DNA which, in its interaction with the past and prevailing environment, influences animal performance. The DNA of an animal is inherited from its parents and does not change throughout the life of the animal. Hence, DNA provides a rich source of information on individual animals, which can be readily exploited in precision breeding and management decisions. Other than its use to augment the accuracy of estimating animal genetic merit, genomics can also be used in: parentage assignment; traceability; monitoring of major genes and congenital defects including karyotype disorders; estimating coancestry or inbreeding; quantifying breed composition; and facilitating more precise mating and management decisions. Generating genotype information on animals is now relatively inexpensive contributing to a high return on investment for farmers, breeders and even down-stream industries.

Practical approaches to animal health issues on organic farms

A summary of a workshop attended by 15 delegates at the BCVA congress on 19th October 2018. The workshop started with an overview of organic animal health standards and the organic market. In the EU animal health standards promote ‘positive health’ and preventive medicine, but treatments can be given without the animals losing their organic status. This is different in some other countries, especially the USA, and this is relevant when UK producers export produce. A misunderstanding of standards can lead to potential welfare problems, but correctly managed, organic standards promote high levels of welfare and health. Some examples of common health issues and their management within the organic system are given — mastitis, calf issues, Johne's control, trace element deficiencies and parasite control.

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Education

An introduction to effective leadership of teams

  • Sunday, December 2, 2018

Within a healthcare setting, effective team work is achieved when team members understand, believe in and work towards the shared purpose of caring and working for improving outcomes for patients. This sense of common purpose should however never be assumed. Team leaders should talk about it at every opportunity and ensure all team members are striving towards it within their daily work. Team leaders should develop a ‘teaming strategy’ to plan how their staff will act and work together. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that many veterinary nurses become head nurse or team leader with no leadership development training being offered; as the purpose of a team can seem so self-evident, it is often overlooked or wrongly assumed to be in existence by those new to a leadership role. This article will serve as an introduction to team development and leadership for those aspiring or new to the role.

Practical

Diagnosis of haemophilia A in a Miniature Longhaired Dachshund

Diagnosis of haemophilia A in a Miniature Longhaired Dachshund

  • Monday, October 2, 2017

This case report presents a 6-month-old, male, Miniature Longhaired Dachshund diagnosed with haemophilia A. The clinical procedures, as well as nursing interventions, leading to the diagnosis are presented. Treatment and management of haemophilia A is also described.

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