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.
This report looks at the nursing care of a feline patient that underwent a forelimb amputation. Key areas of care for amputee patients include targeted and appropriate analgesia, alongside appropriate wound care and rehabilitation. Veterinary nurses...
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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.
Canine degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, debilitating condition of older, often large breed dogs, and is seen on a fairly frequent basis in practice. This article discusses the background of the condition including clinical signs to be expected at different stages in the disease process, how the condition is diagnosed, and looks at how best the condition can be managed using rehabilitation therapies with no curative treatment currently available. It also includes a case study describing a rehabilitation protocol for a patient referred for rehabilitation by the referring veterinary surgeon following diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy.
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.
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...
