A time to reflect on veterinary nursing beyond our own borders

Patricia Clarke Editorial board member

Hepatitis C — a risk to consider

Just over a year ago while working in the veterinary practice I was exposed to the Hepatitis C 3virus. This terrible experience changed my life.

Flea allergy dermatitis: the continued challenge

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a progressive form of skin hypersensitivity in dogs and cats caused by exposure to flea saliva through flea bites. This condition represents a source of frustration to pet owners and veterinary practitioners. FAD is associated with a wide spectrum of dermatological manifestations, which can have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of the patient. Significant progress has been made in unravelling the pathogenesis of this disease. Research evidence suggests that both host- and flea-derived factors play a critical role in the pathophysiology of FAD. Despite the availability of effective modern anti-flea chemotherapeutic products, flea infestation and FAD remain a challenging problem. These facts underscore the importance of maintaining sustainable preventive measures, including a rational flea control regimen, judicious use of chemotherapeutic agents and pet owner education.

Collecting data and designing experiments

Planning is essential in any successful research project and deciding on what data to collect and how to collect it is not as simple as it may seem. There are many different methods available to collect data and the most suitable method will differ depending on the individual project. No matter which method is chosen sufficient time must be spent preparing and piloting the chosen method. This is to avoid situations where time and money have been spent and incorrect data, or data with no means of analysis have been collected. This article explains the use of some of the common methods of data collection (questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and experiments) giving examples of when their use might be appropriate within veterinary nursing research.

Gastrointestinal stasis and obstructive Ileus in the rabbit

Rabbits have a highly specialized digestive tract and consequently they develop different digestive problems to those seen in cats and dogs. Diet, stress and pain can all play a role in the development of gastrointestinal stasis, a disease characterized by reduced motility of the digestive tract. Early signs are often missed by clients and at the time of presentation many rabbits are depressed, anorexic and are developing hepatic lipidosis.Obstructive Ileus can occur following ingestion of foreign objects and can be difficult to distinguish from gastrointestinal stasis. History, clinical examination and radiography can all be used to distinguish these conditions. An accurate diagnosis ensures the rabbit receives the correct treatment. Prokinetics and assisted feeding while essential in the management of gut stasis are contraindicated in cases of obstructive ileus until an exploratory laparotomy has been performed.Nursing rabbits with these conditions can be time consuming but plays a very important role in their recovery. Good supportive care consisting of fluid therapy, syringe feeding and reducing stress during hospitalization is essential alongside treatment.

Practice management systems for today’s veterinary nurse

The fundamental purpose of a veterinary practice has remained essentially the same, but the modern practice is more complex than was the case in previous years. While pets are still seen, checked and treated as they always were, veterinary medicine is now heavily dependent on previously unavailable technology such as x-rays, magnetic resonance images and ultrasounds that require more apparatus, more coordination and more expertise. The institution of practice management, therefore, has had to adapt accordingly to keep up with these changes and dedicated practice management systems are now a truly indispensable part of the operation and administration of veterinary practice. It is necessary for veterinary nurses (and, indeed, all practice staff) to understand the role and capabilities of practice management systems and how this relates to their duties. In light of the ever-increasing complexity of modern veterinary technology, the industry-wide trend towards utilization of computing systems and the continually escalating demand on veterinary practices, the ultimate objective of all veterinary practice — the welfare of the patients — now depends on practice management systems more than ever.

How to place and maintain a jugular catheter

The purpose of the article is to provide a step by step guide to placement of a jugular catheter and maintenance.Advantages of placing a jugular catheter include increased comfort for patient, ease of use for nursing staff, multi lumen allowing blood sampling, intravenous fluid access and parenteral nutrition to be given if required to the same patient. Disadvantages include increased risk of infection and introduction of foreign material into the central circulation, with far more serious consequences than peripheral vessel contamination therefore the increased need for proper aseptic technique for both placement and management.

Poultry husbandry: key management points

The resurgence of growing your own vegetables and interest in local food has also given rise to poultry keeping within the UK. Poultry keeping knowledge however tends to be limited and correct husbandry practices are often overlooked. Veterinary practitioners are seeing increasing numbers of poultry, especially chickens, in their surgeries and in the main would like to have a deeper knowledge of their care in order to give correct advice to their clients. Veterinary nurses can benefit from knowing the key points of poultry husbandry in order to have a sound understanding when investigating a case or giving advice. As with any animal, clients can become emotionally attached to chickens and treat them as one of the family, so they are expecting veterinary practices to partake in their case with confidence.

Dental radiography in veterinary practice

The structure of the oral cavity poses significant challenges in the diagnosis of dental disease. When disease or trauma occur beneath the gingival margin, the inability to see sub-gingival tissues can obscure the extent of the problem and prevent timely treatment. Considering the potential number of sub-gingival pathologies, dental radiography is a non-invasive tool which provides significant benefits in terms of diagnosis and treatment.