Canine arthritis management and the new norm
Abstract
Canine arthritis is considered a welfare concern, and patients could benefit greatly from nurse-led clinics. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic telehealth has been embraced, and nurses are well placed to run these following a few simple rules. This workshop outlined the benefits of the nurse-led clinic and the best way to approach online consultations.
With the pandemic raging on, returning to normal practice is still not within reach. Owner polls of their feelings regarding the new normal are a mixed bag.
A recent survey of owners from the community group ‘Holly's Army’, an online veterinary supported arthritis group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2161091580843717/), reaffirmed the concerns regarding communication between veterinary professionals and their clients. When asking owners for their opinions on the ‘new normal’ the feedback was not music to the ears.
‘I am my dog's advocate and I feel I can't do this effectively at present and I find that upsetting and feel it is damaging the vet-owner relationship.’
Canine arthritis is a regular feature in first opinion practice and has been relabelled a welfare concern by VetCompass, because it can affect dogs for a long time, with significant impingement on quality of life. It is well reported that gold standard holistic treatment plans are often blocked by owner understanding, practicality, financials, and lack of time. Could this be the perfect disease to implement a nurse-led telehealth approach to improve service provision in your practice? Is it an unidentified income stream? Is it an opportunity to get nurse clinics back up and running in the new norm?
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