Hypoglycaemia presents a genuine life-threatening emergency in the intensive care unit. Veterinary nurses play a vital role in the emergency and critical care of hypoglycaemic patients. This patient care report will discuss and evaluate the nursing care involved with maintenance of intravenous catheter, monitoring of blood glucose and dietary management.
Dystocia is a life threatening emergency situation which requires urgent treatment. This report aims to evaluate and critique the assessment, monitoring and nursing care given to a queen which presented with dystocia. The triage by the nurse, fluid therapy and pain control will be evaluated for this case report.
This report discusses the anaesthetic approach of a canine undergoing a phacoemulsification surgery with concurrent diabetes mellitus. It is the anaesthetic nurse's role and responsibility to deliver updated and high quality nursing care, therefore it is vital to know basic physiology of the patient and pharmacodynamics of anaesthetic drugs as it affects the outcome of the procedure and the recovery. This article looks at the important anaesthetic aspects of both the speciality procedure and the...
Vascular ring anomalies present in young patients and will inhibit growth and development. Therefore it is essential that these patients have the anomaly corrected as soon as clinically stable enough to undergo surgical correction. In particular the congenital malformation of the persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) is uncommon in practice to see, but does require good knowledge and understanding by the veterinary team to provide a successful outcome.
This case report presents a 6-month-old, male, Miniature Longhaired Dachshund diagnosed with haemophilia A. The clinical procedures, as well as nursing interventions, leading to the diagnosis are presented. Treatment and management of haemophilia A is also described.
This nursing care report discusses the treatment and management of acute hepatopathy and secondary coagulopathy in the canine as well as the impact this case had on the development of the author's nursing ability. The patient, a nine-year-old Labrador Retriever, was referred for treatment after an episode of vomiting followed by collapse during a walk with their owner. On presentation the patient was tachycardic, tachypnoeic with absent peripheral pulses. After haematological and biochemical...
Feline diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders in cats. Veterinary nurses play a huge role in management of these feline patients by helping with diagnostics, monitoring blood glucose levels, administering medication, providing skilled nursing care during the time of hospitalisation as well as educating and advising the clients. This patient care report discusses the care provided to a diabetic feline patient that was hospitalised for a blood glucose curve.
The patient was an entire male domestic shorthair, estimated at 10 years old, and admitted out of hours after being involved in a road traffic accident (RTA). After initial assessment and treatment, it was decided to further stabilise the patient while hospitalised then at home before undergoing surgical treatment 8 days later of the hip dysplasia and tail fracture caused by the RTA.
A 7-year-old, neutered, female Labrador Retriever was admitted as an emergency referral on the diagnosis of a recurrent pericardial effusion. Following a pericardiocentesis, a subtotal pericardectomy was consequently performed. Nursing care for this patient was focused on the post-operative monitoring including the maintenance of the thoracostomy tube, indwelling urinary catheter, arterial catheter and continual assessment of the analgesia protocol. The patient subsequently recovered well and...
In early 2016, a 2-year-old, neutered male, domestic shorthaired cat was admitted to a first opinion veterinary surgery; presenting with haemorrhagic diarrhoea, anorexia and pyrexia. The patient was hospitalised for 4 days during which time an oesophageal feeding tube was placed. The nursing care focused on maintaining patient hygiene, monitoring key parameters, administering medication and supporting hydration and nutrition. The author's involvement included such care, assisting in the...
Patients in septic shock require immediate attention. Veterinary nurses play a vital role in their care and recovery. Involvement in patient care includes the monitoring and recording of vital signs, fluid therapy and pain assessments. Identifying improvements or deteriorations in a patient's progress helps veterinary surgeons to make more informed decisions about its long-term care. This report aims to discuss the importance of these aspects and identify areas for development.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common form of acquired myocardial disease in dogs. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterised by clinical signs of increased tissue water retention and/or decreased tissue perfusion caused by heart disease such as DCM. When clinical findings are severe sudden death is common. This patient presented in the overt clinical phase of DCM and displayed signs of CHF. The nursing care involves understanding the action of drug therapy and the pathophysiology...
