Philippa Richmond

Deputy Head Nurse and Clinical Coach, Willows Veterinary Hospital, Cheshire

Nurse parasite clinics and the benefits of routine testing

Coproantigen or faecal flotation can be used as an alternative to routine preventative treatment for intestinal nematodes as long as testing is carried out at least four times a year and the client...

Educating clients about raw diets and the associated parasitic risks

All puppies and kittens are infected with Toxocara canis and T. cati respectively, at, or shortly after birth (Overgaauw and Van Knapen, 2013). This occurs through transplacental (puppies) and...

Vector-borne parasite transmission in the UK and the role of the veterinary nurse in education

Strategies to limit vector-borne disease rely on a combination of practical control measures and preventative drug treatments; these form the basis of control protocols for individual pets. As the...

Faecal-oral parasite transmission and the veterinary nurse's role in education

Toxocara spp. are a group of intestinal nematodes with species infecting dogs (Toxocara canis) and cats (Toxocara cati), both of which have zoonotic potential. Adult worms lie in the small intestine...

A veterinary nurse-led approach to flea control

Adult fleas lay eggs within 24 hours and can lay 40–50 eggs per day. The eggs hatch in 1–6 days and the larvae can then pupate in as little as 10–20 days under warm, humid conditions. Adult fleas can...

Canine pericardial effusion — a veterinary nurse's guide

The pericardium is a double-layered thin, paper like membrane which is attached to the heart at the base. It forms a protective sac and usually contains 2–10 ml of clear, thin, serous fluid which...

The veterinary nurse's role in parasite control

The ideal VN to communicate with clients is one who is enthusiastic and passionate about parasite control, the education of clients and improving the care of pets (Tottey, 2015). Whether to have one...

Anaesthetising a common buzzard for distal humeral fracture repair: a patient care report

The patient was transported to the practice in a wire cage. To minimise stress the patient was kept in this cage following initial clinical examination. The patient was kept in a warm, quiet room,...