Research

Can aromatherapy be used to reduce anxiety in hospitalised felines

The veterinary environment can be stressful with the sights and smells encountered on a patient's first visit often dictating their future response (Greenfield, 2013). Recognising stress proves...

Do dog owners recognise behavioural indicators of canine cognitive dysfunction and can environmental enrichment techniques slow its progression?

Canine cognitive dysfunction causes diminished cognitive function via an increase in damaged brain tissues, resulting in canine memory loss characterised by altered behaviours (Druce, 2014)....

Rabbit health practices of 202 rabbit owners

Health checking is important to allow early detection of disease and maintain health (RSPCA, 2017a). The findings of this study suggest that while most owners performed some form of health checking,...

Portrayal of professions and occupations on veterinary practice websites and the potential for influencing public perceptions

This project was a desk-based study, and used Meet the Team (or ‘Our Staff’) pages on veterinary practice websites as a primary source of data. No follow up data were collected and data were not...

Training zoo animals for better welfare, better nursing

Animal welfare is a priority for veterinary professionals. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 introduced a legal duty of care for anyone responsible for an animal, requiring them to meet the needs of that...

An in vitro investigation into the efficacies of chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone iodine and green tea (Camellia sinensis) to prevent surgical site infection in animals

The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method (disk diffusion) was used to determine the in vitro susceptibility of S. aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus intermedius (ATCC 29663), Streptococcus uberis (ATCC...

A questionnaire based study to assess compassion fatigue in UK practising veterinary nurses

There is a wide variation in the terminology used in texts relating to CF, with some terms used interchangeably which may cause confusion even to those familiar with the subject (Figley and Roop,...

Pain recognition in reptiles and investigation of associated behavioural signs

The prospective, cross-sectional study design allowed for the collection and evaluation of expert opinions on reptile pain perception through the use of an online survey, via Survey Gizmo. An initial...

A comparison of the v-gel® supraglottic airway device and non-cuffed endotracheal tube in the time to first capnograph trace during anaesthetic induction in rabbits

Rabbits have a long narrow mouth, with limited mandibular and maxillary movement as well as a pair of large incisors and tongue. All these contribute to difficulty visualising the epiglottis for...

Comparison of oesophageal, rectal and tympanic membrane temperature in anaesthetised client-owned cats

The study took place in a first opinion veterinary practice where a convenience sample of 20 cats that were scheduled for elective general anaesthesia and routine surgery during a 4-month period was...

An examination of perioperative temperature fluctuations in canine patients undergoing routine neutering

Normal thermoregulation in cats and dogs occurs in response to metabolic processes of the major organs such as the liver and brain (Armstrong et al, 2005). A drop in core body temperature below 37°C...

Social media as a tool for improving client communication

Warren (2012) states that the average number of ‘online conversations’ per month relating to pets and veterinarians is 256 000. It is vitally important that veterinary practices become a part of this...