Clinical

What is a healthy body shape in a dog?

The debate around extreme conformations in dogs has taken a step forward with an international multi-stakeholder group aiming to help dog owners to understand and recognise what an innately healthy...

Ear base swellings in rabbits

Unlike canine and feline patients, rabbits do not have a distinct vertical or horizontal ear canal. The external ear possesses cartilaginous plates and a blind-ending diverticulum which is separated...

Nutrition and chronic renal failure

Initially, renal failure was diagnosed with serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. However, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) has been shown to detect chronic renal failure...

Awareness, perceptions and practices of UK veterinary nurses on managing the risk of malnutrition in hospitalised cats and dogs

Current literature focusses on obesity, with minimal research surrounding malnutrition and species comparison. This study aimed to explore the current attitudes, awareness, and practises of veterinary...

Zoonotic hookworms and roundworms affecting dogs and cats in Europe

Roundworms reside within the lumen of the small intestine, feeding on nutrients within it. The clinical picture in infected animals depend on different factors related to the host (eg age) or to the...

Anaesthesia in exotics part 1: small mammals

It is important to carry out temperature control measures into the recovery period, with particular care being taken in species that may overheat quickly, such as chinchillas, or those that may lose...

Early training and the impact of fear

The peak socialisation period for puppies is between 6 and 12 weeks of age. This is the key period where new sounds, smells, sights and experiences all combine to inform the young dog what is to be...

Managing passive regurgitation in patients under general anaesthesia

In orthopaedic practice, an increase in incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux reported in patients undergoing surgery has been recognised. Possible causes include longer anaesthesia duration, patient...

Never fear when a rabbit stasis patient is near

A hands off exam of the patient in its carrier should be performed first. From this the veterinary nurse can assess if the patient is collapsed or dyspnoeic, which would require immediate critical...

Nursing a patient with feline urethral obstruction

Feline urethral obstruction is a potentially life-threatening condition. The maintenance and monitoring of the patient's electrolyte levels and fluid balance, and urinary catheter management, as well...

Propofol wastage in anaesthesia: implications and environmental outcomes

A labelled box was placed in the hospital prep room and all staff were asked to dispose of any waste propofol syringes into the box once they had finished their anaesthetic and handed their patient...