Clinical

Anaesthetic considerations for a bleeding hemangiosarcoma undergoing splenectomy

A haemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer that is common in dogs. Most cases originate from the spleen. Typically these patients present with haemoabdomen for splenectomy. Care should be taken to thoroughly assess and stabilise the patient prior to anaesthesia. These patients are often critical, and consideration should be taken of the equipment and monitoring devices required. ECG, blood pressure, SpO2 and capnography are all vital when monitoring the anaesthetic for these patients.

The importance of peri-anaesthetic temperature management: part 1

Temperature management is a vital but often overlooked area of anaesthesia. By nature, anaesthetics inhibit the area of the brain responsible for maintaining normothermia, and many anaesthetic drugs exacerbate heat loss through vasodilation. Both hypothermia and hyperthermia can manifest under anaesthesia and present life-threatening changes to the patient's normal homeostatic mechanisms. This series of articles will discuss the risk factors, prevention methods and complications associated with...

The role of the veterinary nurse in homecare for the cardiac patient

Many patients with degenerative or life-limiting disease may have improved quality of life with good homecare. Veterinary nurses are ideally positioned to educate clients on how to provide this, potentially extending life expectancy, improving animal welfare and easing caregiver burden. Through the use of patient assessment tools, including condition scores and quality of life assessments, veterinary nurses can open up conversations with owners in order to provide them with the information and...

The identification and management of feline conjunctivitis

Feline conjunctivitis commonly presents in veterinary practice due to a variety of reasons; it can stem from a primary conjunctival disease or be secondary to an underlying extraocular, intraocular or systemic condition. Clinical signs of conjunctivitis are often non-specific and may be similar despite various aetiologies, therefore a methodical clinical examination should be followed. This article aims to explore the presentation, pathology and management options for feline conjunctivitis,...

Efficacy of silver-coated urinary catheters for reducing urinary tract infection in dogs

Indwelling urinary catheters are frequently used in practice, however urinary catheters have been associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infections in dogs. Antimicrobial coating of urinary catheters can reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections through the initial prevention of bacterial attachment. Historical studies have identified the benefit of silver in reducing bacteriuria in humans. This knowledge summary concluded that no study was able to demonstrate that the use...

Capnography for the veterinary nurse

According to reports, small animal anaesthesia appears to be increasing in safety. However, greater patient care during the peri-anaesthetic period would further reduce fatalities. While there is no direct evidence to prove that the use of capnography can reduce the risk of mortality, it has been shown to prevent morbidities and has allowed for the early detection of complications before significant physiological side effects are seen. Capnography is becoming more commonplace in veterinary...

Chronic inflammatory enteropathy: faecal microbiota transplantation in clinical practice

Chronic inflammatory enteropathy is an umbrella term that encompasses various inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. In the absence of identifiable underlying infectious, neoplastic or metabolic causes, chronic or recurrent signs of gastrointestinal disease and histopathological evidence of mucosal inflammation are the hallmarks of chronic inflammatory enteropathy. Subgroups of chronic inflammatory enteropathy are retrospectively categorised as food-responsive,...

Bypassing their way into your heart: considerations for the cardiothoracic patient

This article will outline the veterinary nursing considerations involved with the postoperative cardiothoracic patient, the complications that can occur during this period and those that are associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. It will introduce the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and what implications this modality has and review the general care and monitoring that patients receive in the intensive care unit.

Taking the pressure off: glaucoma and what can be done to help

Prompt recognition and treatment to reduce the intraoccular pressures is key in canine patients with glaucoma. If treatment is delayed, glaucoma can cause permanent damage or result in enucleation of the affected eye. Acute glaucoma develops quickly, increasing intraocular pressure and causing high levels of pain, disorientation, stress and discomfort. Nurses play a vital role in the management of these patients, by monitoring and recording pressures, recognising and managing pain, correct and...

Causes and prevention of caries (cavities) in dogs

Caries are difficult to diagnose in their early stages, often going undetected until patients are brought in for dental treatment under general anaesthesia and assessment of teeth is performed. This late detection happens because bacteria infiltrate into the dentine, creating the perfect climate for dentine destruction from within the tooth before any involvement of the enamel is seen. This article will demonstrate how bacteria infiltrate within the oral cavity, and discuss key client...

Leptospira spp. and Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Tonga: a pilot study

Dogs are common in Tonga and exist in a close relationship with humans, both as free-ranging pets and guard dogs for domestic properties. Little is known about pathogens present in these animals, and this pilot study aimed to develop a methodology to identify the presence of zoonotic pathogens Leptospira spp. and Dirofilaria immitis (the causative agent of heartworm), in a sample of 82 dogs voluntarily presented to a spey/neuter clinic, using blood samples and point-of-care tests. No positive...

Surgical site infections: preparation, technique and perioperative prevention

All surgical procedures compromise the physical barrier of the skin, which can allow contamination with micro-organisms. Surgical site infections can be prevented through strict protocols and use of asepsis techniques before, during and after surgery. This includes the surgical equipment, instruments, environment and staff. In veterinary medicine, between 1.5% and 2.8% of surgeries result in the development of a surgical site infection. This article reviews factors contributing to the...

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