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Found 103 results for ������������������ .l

Search Results

Found 103 results for ������������������ .l

Canine leishmaniosis: an update

    Review
  • Thursday, April 2, 2015
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Canine leishmaniosis caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum has entered the UK. Entry appears linked to pet dogs accompanying their owners (on vacation) to the Mediterranean basin where this vector-borne canine disease is prevalent. The parasite resides in the superficial dermis of infected dogs, either within macrophages or free in host tissue. L. infantum is transmitted naturally through sandfly bites. Sandflies are not currently present in the UK. Vertical transmission from infected bitches to puppies and transmission through blood transfusion have been confirmed, while sharing of hypodermics have only been proven experimentally. Some infected dogs remain asymptomatic with this resistance to disease development being associated with a strong cell-mediated immune response. Diseased dogs present with varied symptoms including generalised enlargement of lymph nodes, scaly dermatitis, anaemia, anterior uveitis and renal dysfunction. Clinically suspect dogs should be tested by fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes and/or bone marrow to perform cytology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood PCR lacks a certain degree of sensitivity. Indirect diagnosis through serology while routine is problematic in interpreting results and antibody titres. The recommended treatment protocol is a combination of the antimoniate N-metilglucamine subcutaneously, and allopurinol orally. Direct parasite transmission from dogs to humans has not been demonstrated. A commercial vaccine has emerged that offers options for prevention, which is useful for pets travelling to areas where the infection is endemic, particularly if they are staying for an extended period during the season when sandflies are active. Practitioners need to evaluate each individual case, based on client compliance, response to treatment and follow-up evaluation before deciding whether or not to consider euthanasia.

Critical care of the pet ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

    Review
  • Tuesday, December 17, 2013
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
There is extensive anecdotal and scientific information available on critical care of ferrets; however, there is still much to learn about best practice protocols for treating their critical conditions. In order to provide a realistic treatment plan, it is vital for the veterinary team to acknowledge the specific requirements and responses of ferrets to critical care strategies. This article discusses the treatments available when formulating the care plan for critically ill ferrets by building on existing dog and cat techniques, while also acknowledging ferret-specific anatomical and behavioural traits. Emphasis is given to well-documented, successful procedures and treatments, with a brief discussion about emergency care.

Canine anxiety conditions – are nutraceutical diets likely to help?

    Opinion
  • Friday, December 2, 2016
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
The wellbeing of dogs can be affected by a number of things including changes in human lifestyle, eating habits and increased stressors. Together these can lead to behavioural disorders such as fear, hyperactivity and anxiety. In the first study of its kind researchers in Italy looked at the effects of nutraceuticals in dogs with behavioural disorders comparing neuroendocrine blood parameters at the beginning and at the end of the study. A control group were fed a control diet. Claire Hargrave discusses the results of this interesting study.

Egg yolk coelomitis in a North Island brown kiwi

    Features
  • Monday, November 1, 2010
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
In December 2009 at Wellington Zoo a female North Island brown kiwi was diagnosed and treated for egg yolk coelomitis.The following article will discuss how it was discovered and diagnosed, using computed topography and radiographs. Also discussed is the treatment for this condition, which involved a laparotomy to remove the yolk in the coelomic cavity. The reason this occurs will be discussed and the complications that are associated with egg yolk coelomitis.

Poisons affecting the liver

    Review
  • Tuesday, July 2, 2019
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
The liver is a multifunction organ involved in metabolism and synthesis of essential compounds. As the first organ after the gut to receive ingested substances and because of its role in metabolism, it is at particular risk of damage from ingested poisons and their toxic metabolites. Poisons affecting the liver are discussed in this second article on poisons by organ system. Among the most readily accessible liver toxicants are xylitol and paracetamol, which are commonly available in the home. The mechanism of xylitol-induced liver toxicity is unknown, but paracetamol is metabolised to toxic metabolites when normal mechanisms are overwhelmed and/or inadequate. Various natural sources of hepatotoxins are also discussed including some mushroom species (e.g. some Amanita species and Gyromitra esculenta), some cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and plants such as cycads which can be grown as houseplants. The mechanism of liver damage with these natural sources includes direct hepatotoxins and toxic metabolites. The management of toxic liver damage is generally supportive with gut decontamination where appropriate and liver protectants, such as acetylcysteine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe).

The significance of dermatoglyphic characteristics in the determination of equine phenotypic susceptibility to abnormal repetitive behaviour in the thoroughbred (Equus caballus)

    Research
  • Saturday, October 1, 2011
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Background:Relationships have been established between trichoglyphs (whorls) and temperament, laterality and the occurrence of abnormal behaviour in multiple species. Within the equine industry stereotypic behaviour is considered to impair performance and reduce value in affected individuals, potentially reducing career longevity and compromising welfare through preventing their expression when they occur.Aim:The study aimed to determine whether dermatoglyph profiles (whorl morphology, orientation, number and topography) could be used to predict susceptibility to perform abnormal repetitive behaviours (ARB) in thoroughbred racehorses.Method:Trainer interviews combined with experimenter direct observation were used to ascertain expression of ARBs. Whorls were digitally photographed and overall whorl profiles derived using remote computer analysis.Results:Non-parametric statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between aspects of whorl morphology and performance of ARBs (round epicentre: sum ARBs p<0.05; round gross morphology: sum ARBs p<0.0001), orientation and distribution (abdominal trichoglyph orientation asymmetry: sum ARBs p<0.05; clockwise orientation: sum ARBs p<0.05 and social stereotypies p<0.05).Conclusion:This study indicates that whorls may be viable physical indicators of predisposition to perform ARBs in the thoroughbred. Assessment of dermatoglyph profiles have potential to assist with the improvement of horse welfare via informed management practices if patterns exposed are transferable to other breeds and can reliably predict individuals with a propensity to develop ARBs.

Critical care of the small rodent: a veterinary nurse's guide

    Review
  • Monday, November 2, 2015
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Small rodents are a popular pet choice, but their ability to conceal obvious signs of discomfort or illness, attributed to their ‘prey-like’ lifestyle, can make them challenging patients. Consequently they are regularly encountered by veterinary staff when clinical signs are apparent suggestive of chronic or advanced illnesses. Veterinary nurses are essential in the critical care of small rodent patients by appreciating correct husbandry, providing behavioural observations and administration of treatments, promoting patient welfare, minimising discomfort and preserving life where appropriate. This article aims to review the relevant characteristics of small rodents, identifying critically ill patients and nursing initiatives that can facilitate their hospitalisation, treatment and recovery.

Blood parameter monitoring in the intensive care unit

    Review
  • Saturday, December 1, 2012
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Blood tests performed in the emergency and critical care setting are essential to determine the patient’s current clinical status, to enable a diagnosis to be made and to monitor stabilisation and treatment. Thus the veterinary nurse should be proficient in prompt and accurate testing, regular monitoring of the patient in the intensive care unit and early recognition of abnormal results that need to be brought to the immediate attention of the veterinarian. This article highlights commonly screened blood parameters in the emergency setting, giving normal ranges and critical values that necessitate immediate intervention to optimise patient care. Veterinary nurses with a sound knowledge of routinely screened blood parameters will be best placed to contribute to the smooth running of the intensive care unit and to provide excellent nursing care.

Acute Hepatopathy and Coagulopathy in the Canine: A Nursing Care Report

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 analysis of the patient's blood, the clinical team implemented a medical care plan based on two differential diagnoses; xylitol poisoning or leptospirosis. The nursing team delivered an intensive care regimen including extensive patient monitoring, environmental modification, assisted feeding and blood transfusion with strict adherence to barrier nursing protocols. Fortunately, due to the dedicated efforts of the clinical team, the patient successfully recovered and was returned to their family in good health.

A patient care report of a Doberman in heart failure

This article describes the nursing care provided to a Doberman in acute life-threatening heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a common problem seen in medium-large breed dogs. It can sometimes lead to congestive heart failure (CHF) and cause arrhythmias, further compromising cardiac function. Nursing care, monitoring and therapy are vital for the patient both in the short term, but also long term, to optimize quality of life.

How to produce diagnostic orthopaedic radiographs

    Practical
  • Wednesday, December 1, 2010
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Orthopaedic radiography can be challenging, but also very rewarding when good diagnostic radiographs are produced. This article explains the necessary theory required and details a step by step standard technique to achieve this. Positioning points and tips are given for the shoulder, elbow, pelvis and stifle.

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

    Review
  • Friday, June 2, 2023
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
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.

Acute kidney injury

    Review
  • Saturday, February 2, 2019
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt decline in kidney filtration rate. It is characterised by increased serum/plasma creatinine concentration and changes in urine output. This article reviews the physiology, current veterinary grading systems and common causes of AKI. Nurses should be aware of how to undertake the procedures required for the diagnosis of AKI and how to deliver nursing care to affected hospitalised patients. Patients affected by AKI can achieve complete recovery and effective nursing is key in maximising the prognosis of these patients.

Diet associated canine dilated cardiomyopathy

    Review
  • Sunday, May 2, 2021
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of heart failure in the dog. Primary DCM is often a disease of exclusion, but inherited genetic breed dispositions have been reported. Secondary causes of DCM include toxins, nutritional deficiency, systemic and infectious disease. The number of dogs diagnosed with DCM has increased significantly in the last 20 years, and has been linked to the rise in popularity of boutique, exotic and grain-free, legume-rich diets. Veterinary cardiologists raised concerns as DCM was being reported in atypical breeds. Subsequently, the United States Food and Drug Agency released a statement in 2018 warning pet owners of the risks of grain-free and novel protein diets. It is assumed that the problem also occurs in the UK because these diets are popular here also. Contrary to primary causes of DCM, dogs have improved clinically and on echocardiograph when their diet has been changed and/or supplemented. No clear cause has yet been identified between these diets and DCM, but the potential reasons seem to be multifactorial and limited by a lack of understanding of the bioavailability, digestibility and metabolism of the novel proteins and legume-rich diets.

Emergency care of a cat with a ruptured bladder

A 7-month-old domestic short-hair male neutered cat, Crumble, arrived at hospital after falling from a first floor window. He had vomited after the fall, presented as tachypnoeic, with pale pink mucus membranes and poor peripheral pulses. Crumble required shock rate intravenous fluids, methadone (Comfortan; Dechra) given at 0.3 mg/kg for analgesia, diagnostic imagining and blood tests. Blood tests showed uremia which indicated uroabdomen. Diagnostic imaging was limited because of pain. Additional analgesic methadone was given at 0.2mg/kg. The serosanguinous fluid drained from abdomen confirmed ruptured bladder. Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl (Dechra) running at 3 mcg/kg/hour was initiated, and a plasma volume substitute as a bolus of gelofusine 5mg/kg bolus over 15 minutes was given to help stabilise hypotension. A urinary catheter was placed in preparation for surgery and noradrenaline CRI was started once under anaesthesia. Intravenous fluids were continued to help with uremia, and the broad spectrum antimicrobial co-amoxiclav 20 mg/kg was given, as well as fentanyl CRI for further analgesia. The patient remained in hospital to monitor uremia, hypotension and pain, as well as urine output. He was discharged after 3 days and seen back after 2 days to review.

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