Clinical

Otitis externa: the role of the veterinary nurse

As in any dermatological disease the investigation of otitis should involve a general, dermatological and otic history. Experienced nurses are capable of taking a history from clients. This can be...

Zoonotic parasite protection in the practice setting

Bites and scratches leading to compromise of the skin barrier can in turn, lead to the introduction of bacteria and ringworm. Cat bites and scratches are a particular risk for Bartonella henselae (the...

Canine immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia part 1: presentation, diagnosis and treatment

IMHA is the most common reason for haemolytic anaemia in canine patients, however it is uncommon in cats (Woolcock and Scott-Moncrieff, 2019). Breeds including Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Old...

Obesity in cats and dogs: simple things you can do

The rising trend of pet obesity is concerning for both veterinary practices and pet owners, affecting the health, longevity and quality of life of cats and dogs. However, there are actions that can be...

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...

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) exposure in dogs

Cyanobacteria occur in both freshwater and marine environments. Under certain environmental conditions cyanobacteria can quickly form extensive and often visible growths or blooms. These most commonly...

Nursing the seizure patient

Seizure is a broad term, but in veterinary medicine most commonly refers to a clinical manifestation of excessive hyperexcitability in the cerebral cortex (Meland and Carrera-Justiz, 2018). This...

Corneal ulcers part 2: aetiology and management of deep corneal ulcers

As discussed in part one of this article, an important disease process to consider with corneal ulcers is keratomalacia (Figure 2). Keratomalacia is the enzymatic destruction of the corneal stroma,...

The importance of lavage in wound care

Lavage is fundamental in breaking down bacterial biofilms, which occur when a group of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses) attach themselves to a surface to create a colony,...