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.
Wound management is an exciting and well-researched area of veterinary medicine. It is a key area for veterinary nursing involvement from initial management to possible surgical reconstruction. An essential aspect of this is provision of the ideal...
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Missing out one small step in a complex procedure can lead to an error. A checklist is a list of actions that can identify the small but crucial steps which may be missed out. Checklists are just one of the tools used to form a culture of continuous quality improvement (QI) in veterinary practice. QI is about understanding the level of care practices provide and implementing interventions to try to improve it. Checklists have been used in aviation and in human healthcare to reduce errors. The use of a surgical safety checklist can be very effective both in human healthcare and in veterinary practice. Checklists can be used in many other areas of practice too. They are a patient safety system, not just a piece of paper, they encourage teamwork, communication and situational awareness and can help to reduce errors.
This article aims to highlight the key physiological differences in the paediatric patient in comparison to the adult and how they may impact anaesthetic management in practice from pre-operative considerations through to recovery. The critical importance of communication within the veterinary team is highlighted to ensure successful outcomes and reduce the risk of mortality. Potential complications are discussed as they are inherent to anaesthesia, however early identification and intervention can help ensure patient safety. Although paediatric and neonatal anaesthesia may be challenging, it can also be incredibly satisfying for the registered veterinary nurse (RVN) as specific nursing care needs to be provided throughout the peri-operative period to facilitate a smooth anaesthetic and recovery.
National media campaigns in the face of increased geographic distribution has put <italic>Angiostrongylus vasorum</italic> at the forefront of the minds of both veterinary professionals and dog owners alike. Familiarity with this parasite is essential, given the potential severity of disease in infected dogs and its spread to parts of the country where it has not previously been routinely diagnosed. Veterinary nurses play an important role in educating the public and giving accurate preventative advice based on local geographic and lifestyle risk. It is important therefore that nurses understand factors that drive spread and increase exposure risk in pet dogs. This article considers these factors and prevention of angiostrongylosis.
This article provides an outline of special considerations and requirements for the anaesthesia of small exotic mammals. This includes the process from pre-anaesthesia, induction, maintenance and monitoring, and recovery. Most small mammal species can be anaesthetised using revised techniques and equipment from companion animal anaesthesia, however the requirements for modified equipment and monitoring are discussed in this article.
Missing out one small step in a complex procedure can lead to an error. A checklist is a list of...
Hypoglycaemia presents a genuine life-threatening emergency in the intensive care unit. Veterinary...
