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.
Pathology associated with the distal limb is a common cause of forelimb lameness and, less frequently, hindlimb lameness. The principal causes of forelimb lameness include osseous/articular abnormalities, and soft tissue injuries, including those...
This document was commissioned to provide UK veterinary surgeons with up-to-date information on Streptococcus equi infection and to provide practical...
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All homes contain substances capable of causing serious injury if they come into contact with the skin. These substances include detergents, acids and alkalis found in many cleaning products, and petroleum distillates such as white spirit and petrol. Asphalt used in road surfacing can also cause local effects, particularly if it is still hot when contact occurs. The risk of effects on the skin from these chemicals is increased if decontamination in delayed. The method of decontamination will depend on the substance involved but in many cases simple bathing is sufficient. Removal of oily or greasy substances may require the use of a commercial degreaser and sticky material may need to be softened with oil or fat to facilitate removal. Decontamination after contact with corrosive substances may require prolonged and repeated water irrigation to ensure thorough removal. Another potential source of dermal injury in pets is exposure to psoralen-containing plants (such as hogweed, Heracleum spp.) in combination with ultraviolent light (sunlight) which can result in erythema, blistering and dermatitis. In this case, management is supportive with avoidance of sunlight.
Syringomyelia is a heritable condition caused by fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord as a result of the abnormal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This results in a number of debilitating clinical signs, including neck pain (which often manifests as scratching or ‘phantom scratching’, head shy behaviour and vocalisation) and neurological deficits. Management may be conservative or surgical but, in most cases, the condition is progressive, regardless of the treatment option pursued.
This article provides a basic outline of nursing of wildlife patients, from initial contact and triage through to kennelling and rehabilitation. Most wildlife presentations are debilitated or injured and require immediate veterinary attention and nursing care.
The reasons why flea infestations remain frequent in companion animals despite the considerable number of anti-flea products is of interest. Successful flea control relies mainly on the use of effective anti-flea products and pet owners adhering to treatment recommendations. When flea infestations continue to persist despite the application of a potent anti-flea product, lack of efficacy may be suspected. In this article, the basics of flea biology and impact of flea infestation on the host are summarised. In addition, the factors that can result in ineffective treatment and control of flea infestation are discussed. Better understanding of the possible reasons can help to inform clinical practice and avoid treatment failures.
Veterinary nurses work closely with their patients to deliver a high quality of care. This care is...
Hypoglycaemia presents a genuine life-threatening emergency in the intensive care unit. Veterinary...
