When I was first studying to become qualified, I found myself in a leadership role within my student branch of our national representative organisation. Some of the issues that we discussed then are still relevant today such as protection of title, professional standards, and regulation.
Following a response to a recent consultation by the Scottish Government, last month the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) called for a ban on the use of electric pulse training aids (EPTAs), so-called ‘shock collars’, in the UK.
Pyometra in the bitch may still be a relatively common pathological condition seen within general practice and many veterinary nurses will be familiar with the general nursing requirements for such cases. This article highlights the need for veterinary nurses to consider the various body systems affected by not only the condition itself but also potential pre-existing anatomical conformations relating to breed or body score. This article details the nursing care provided to an obese, bracycephalic bitch during the pre, peri and post-anaesthestic period of ovariohysterectomy to correct a pyometra.
IntroductionThe electrocardiogram (ECG) can assist monitoring of a wide range of cases, such as emergencies, those undergoing anaesthesia and for critically ill patients. While being a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary practice, many nurses are apprehensive about using the ECG machine, either due to uncertainty or unfamiliarity of the machine, or being unsure about what to look out for, when in use. This practical and illustrated article gives explanations on how to use the machine and provides examples of the common rhythms and arrhythmias seen in practice.
Otitis externa represents a very large proportion of the cases in small animal practice. As practice clinics become increasingly busy veterinary nurses can be utilised to play an essential role in the management of these cases. This article is a brief overview of how to approach otitis externa to improve patient care, speed recovery and reduce the risk of re-occurrence, including the role veterinary nurses can play in the diagnosis and management of otitis externa. This article will discuss the importance of cytology, bacterial cultures, examination of the ear canal and ear cleaning/flushing.
Pain management involves more than just the use of pharmaceutical or nutraceutical medications. Physical rehabilitation can be an aid in controlling pain whether post operative, from a disease process or as part of aging. In the USA veterinary technicians/nurses can become certified physiotherapist technicians/nurses; being able to recognise and score pain is a primary skill for the veterinary technicians certified in physical rehabilitation. One of the primary benefits of physical rehabilitation is reducing pain. The veterinary physiotherapist will perform a clinical evaluation aided by the physiotherapist tchnician/nurse. The physiotherapist nurse will be performing various physical modalities to the patient as prescribed by the physiotherapist. Mobility issues can be painful and are a common reason for geriatric patients to undergo physiotherapy.
The aim of this article is to examine the ethical dilemma of student veterinary nurses (SNVs) working lone shifts. The article outlines the implications of SVNs undertaking duties outside the realms of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) Schedule 3. Criminal, civil and professional consequences of such actions are explored with the aid of theoretical explanations. Finally the article recognises that SVNs are not substitutes for registered veterinary nurses and that using them as substitutes will bring about a series of ethical implications.
Upper respiratory tract problems are commonly seen in pet rabbits often in conjunction with dental disease. While medical treatment can be useful in many situations, surgical options may need to be considered for those rabbits with chronic rhinitis and empyema of the nasal cavities. This case report details the management of a rabbit undergoing a rhinostomy to alleviate chronic upper respiratory tract signs. It highlights the importance of nursing care, both before and following the surgical procedure for a successful outcome.
Urolithiasis in dogs can be a complex multifactorial disorder, and may require different approaches in order to aid in the reoccurrence of crystals and stones. Careful identification of the urolith present is required in order to make the best judgement regarding the type of management, surgical or medical. Medical management centres on the diet of the animal. Each urolith will have an optimum management regimen, but as many urolith can comprise a combination of different minerals a compromise may be required. Careful monitoring throughout is needed.
EquiSal Tapeworm: the saliva test to detect tapeworm burdens in horsesEquiSal Tapeworm detects tapeworm-specific antibodies in saliva to provide a tapeworm burden diagnosis of low, borderline or moderate/high. The test has been fully validated and was shown to have high accuracy using samples from horses at post mortem where tapeworms were counted.Horse owners simply send samples back to the EquiSal laboratory (in freepost envelopes) where scientists use automatic liquid handling equipment to carry out ELISA testing. Results are either reported directly to the horse owner or through stockists of the saliva collection kits.Kits are available to SQPs, retailers and veterinary surgeons at trade price.Contact: enquiries@equisal.comwww.equisal.comNote: A small independent comparison of EquiSal Tapeworm versus the blood test was carried out by a veterinary consultant of “Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare” earlier this year. EquiSal Tapeworm was found to have strong positive correlation with the blood test.