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.
The provision of safe and optimal analgesia is a fundamental consideration for veterinary practitioners, ensuring the welfare of patients entrusted to their care. The registered veterinary nurse's role is often key with regards to pain scoring...
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This article provides an overview of the basic requirements for hospitalising and treating avian patients. These include species-specific considerations, transmissible disease considerations and insight into how to reduce stress in hospitalised birds. Proper handling techniques are discussed along with a brief overview of drug and fluid administration.
The kidney has an essential role in maintaining normal physiological functions but it can be affected by various drugs and chemicals. For some common substances, such as lilies in cats and grapes and their dried fruit in dogs, kidney injury occurs through unknown mechanisms. In most cases, once kidney injury is advanced, prognosis is poor. This article discusses common poisons affecting the kidneys and how to treat them quickly and effectively.
It is important in veterinary practice that registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are knowledgeable regarding identifying patients in need of nutritional support, in order to continually strive for a high standard of evidence-based nursing care and improve patient outcomes. This article aims to help RVNs feel empowered to work alongside the veterinary surgeon (VS) to suggest the most appropriate feeding method, in addition to explaining all benefits and complications accurately to clients for informed consent to be obtained.
The liver is a multifunction organ involved in metabolism and synthesis of essential compounds. As the first organ after the gut to receive ingested substances and because of its role in metabolism, it is at particular risk of damage from ingested poisons and their toxic metabolites. Poisons affecting the liver are discussed in this second article on poisons by organ system. Among the most readily accessible liver toxicants are xylitol and paracetamol, which are commonly available in the home. The mechanism of xylitol-induced liver toxicity is unknown, but paracetamol is metabolised to toxic metabolites when normal mechanisms are overwhelmed and/or inadequate. Various natural sources of hepatotoxins are also discussed including some mushroom species (e.g. some <italic>Amanita</italic> species and <italic>Gyromitra esculenta</italic>), some cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and plants such as cycads which can be grown as houseplants. The mechanism of liver damage with these natural sources includes direct hepatotoxins and toxic metabolites. The management of toxic liver damage is generally supportive with gut decontamination where appropriate and liver protectants, such as acetylcysteine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe).
Patients that are in the fifth life stage (end-of-life) often present with multiple problems, which...
Dystocia is a life threatening emergency situation which requires urgent treatment. This report aims...
