Search Results

Found 16 results for ������������������������ .j

Search Results

Found 16 results for ������������������������ .j

Clinical application of photobiomodulation therapy in a zoological setting

    Review
  • Wednesday, December 2, 2020
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) uses wavelengths of light that have biostimulatory effects on target tissues. This results in three primary therapeutic effects: anti-inflammatory, analgesia and the regeneration of damaged tissues. The application of PBMT is non-invasive, painless and is often used as an adjunctive therapy to multimodal treatment approaches in zoological settings. Individual treatment plans are required; plans must consider species variability in patient size, skin thickness, coat colour and the depth of the target tissue. Treatment can often be achieved through positive reinforcement training and in a minimally invasive way to ensure the welfare of the patient. The medical benefits of PBMT in zoo animals are poorly described in the literature and confounding factors make it challenging to prove treatment efficacy.

How to place and maintain a jugular catheter

    Review
  • Sunday, July 1, 2012
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
The purpose of the article is to provide a step by step guide to placement of a jugular catheter and maintenance.Advantages of placing a jugular catheter include increased comfort for patient, ease of use for nursing staff, multi lumen allowing blood sampling, intravenous fluid access and parenteral nutrition to be given if required to the same patient. Disadvantages include increased risk of infection and introduction of foreign material into the central circulation, with far more serious consequences than peripheral vessel contamination therefore the increased need for proper aseptic technique for both placement and management.

Nutritional management of hospitalised dogs and cats

    Review
  • Tuesday, October 1, 2013
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Nutritional support is a vital component of successful management of hospitalised animals. Lack of adequate calories and nutrients can lead to adverse consequences, including loss of lean body mass. These deleterious effects can be seen within 3–5 days of anorexia. Optimal nutritional assessment will allow the clinician to develop an appropriate nutrition plan which will address patient selection, timing, route of administration and diet selection. Early institution of an individualised nutritional plan allows enhanced nutritional management, reduced risk of malnutrition and ultimately improved patient outcome.

How to set up for dental extractions

    Review
  • Thursday, September 2, 2021
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Exodontics is the branch of dental surgery concerned with the extraction of teeth. Dental extraction involves the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus (socket) in the alveolar bone of the incisive bones, maxilla and mandibles. There are two types of extractions the veterinary surgeon (VS) can perform — closed or open — and both are associated with tissue disruption and manipulation to varying degrees, which will inevitably initiate an inflammatory and pain response, which can prolong healing. The role of the veterinary nurse (VN) in preparing equipment and consumables for extraction should not be underestimated; excellent preparation can reduce surgical time, reduce the length of time the patient is anaesthetised, and ensure high-quality extractions can be performed by the VS to promote optimal postoperative healing.

How to pressure check an anaesthetic machine

    Review
  • Monday, November 2, 2015
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Pre-anaesthetic checks, including those focusing on the anaesthetic machine, form an important part of patient safety and have become an integral part of the peri-anaesthetic checklists currently being introduced into veterinary medicine. Careful testing of the anaesthetic machine involves pressure testing the various components, allowing detection of any defective workings prior to use. Implementing a step by step guide ensures that no important stages are omitted from pressure checking and prevents patient safety from being compromised. Visual checks of the gas cylinder connections, vaporiser(s), flow meters and common gas outlet should be followed by testing of the low and high pressure systems within the anaesthetic machine and then the vaporiser and its attachment to the back bar. Any leaks detected should be identified and resolved if possible or repairs organised and alternative equipment utilised.

Referring for advanced limb imaging: what, when and how?

    Review
  • Monday, May 24, 2021
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Pathology associated with the distal limb is a common cause of forelimb lameness and, less frequently, hindlimb lameness. The principal causes of forelimb lameness include osseous/articular abnormalities, and soft tissue injuries, including those affecting the hoof capsule.

Practical behavioural first aid for feline patients

    Review
  • Saturday, November 2, 2019
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
This article forms part of a series intended to encourage veterinary practices to incorporate first aid advice on emotional welfare and behavioural support, for the entire species range seen within the practice, into daily practice routine. Previous articles in this series have covered why this service should be integral to practice activity and provided suggestions regarding behavioural first aid advice that could be given to the owners of canine patients. This article concentrates on behavioural first aid advice that will benefit the, often under-supported, welfare needs of feline patients and their owners.

ABC series on diagnostic parasitology part 3: the Baermann technique

    Review
  • Saturday, December 2, 2017
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Diagnosis of parasitic larval forms is typically associated with complex, costly methods. As such, simple, low-cost diagnostic tools for larvae identification are of the utmost importance in diagnostic parasitology in the veterinary clinic. Herewith we describe the Baermann technique, one of the most used larvae identification methods.

CPR: advanced life support

    Review
  • Monday, May 2, 2016
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Cardiopulmonary arrest is an emergency situation which can present to any veterinary clinic at any time. The RECOVER guidelines (2012) are an evidence-based consensus for current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recommendations for veterinary patients. Basic life support (BLS) includes circulation, airway and breathing. Advanced life support measures involve the administration of emergency drug therapy and cardiorespiratory monitoring. Alternative drug therapies may be beneficial such as electrolyte supplementation or drug antagonist administration. Both electrocardiogram (ECG) and end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring are recommended during CPR efforts and the veterinary nurse will play a vital role in ensuring that trends are observed. Debriefing is an important part of any CPR event so that the team can critique one another and improve performance in the future.

Stress in the veterinary surgery: small mammals

    Review
  • Saturday, September 2, 2017
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
The term ‘small mammals’ encompasses a wide range of species. Each has its own environmental, nutritional and social grouping needs. They also have species-specific activity rhythms, behaviours and communication signals. Many veterinary professionals have limited knowledge of these small, and usually prey, species. This may mean they do not take adequate practical steps to help reduce stress, and thus facilitate recovery, when these animals come to the surgery. Further, there are various long-held, if inaccurate, common beliefs about the needs, lifespans and availability of veterinary care for these small animals. These inaccurate perceptions mean many owners do not know how to reduce stress at home or recognise when the animal is showing signs of stress, ill-health or pain. It is the author's aim to help the reader rectify this through a brief exploration of four aspects of these animals: size, sight, sound and scent, and how these relate to sources of stress.

When is a pet not a pet? Rethinking the ethics of animal terminology

    Review
  • Thursday, March 1, 2012
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Current academic debate is exploring the idea that words, similes and metaphors that relate to non-human animals may reinforce cultural and societal notions of inequality between humans and other animals. Historically, three major philosophical traditions have biased humans over animals and have refected and reinforced an agenda of human superiority. As language is used to construct and convey meaning, it has been proposed by some that the word ‘pet’ should be replaced with the term ‘companion animal’ to refect a more egalitarian relationship between the animal and the human caregiver. Such discussions around the use of animal-related language could entail re-evaluating the general status of animals in society and how veterinary nurses respond to the emergence of the notion of animal personhood, both in professional practice and in their wider lives.

Hay for a healthy rabbit: the importance of appropriate feed

    Review
  • Tuesday, May 1, 2012
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Rabbits are herbivores with teeth and a gastrointestinal system adapted for a high-fibre, low-nutrient diet. Providing an appropriate diet, based on grass or grass hay supplemented with vegetables and only small amounts of concentrates, is important for tooth health, gut function and maintenance of a healthy weight. Water is also essential, and most rabbits prefer a bowl to a sipper bottle. Rabbits that fail to ingest their caecotrophs and those with diarrhoea (which is rarer) may become soiled and prone to flystrike. Obesity resulting from excess concentrate feed can lead to health problems including soiling and arthritis, and obese rabbits are more likely to develop life-threatening hepatic lipidosis if they stop eating for any reason. Stress minimization is important in hospitalized rabbits to avoid anorexia, which has potentially life-threatening consequences.

How to get the most from blood samples: a guide to producing diagnostic blood smears

    Review
  • Saturday, May 2, 2020
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
The production of high-quality diagnostic blood smears is a skill often overlooked in first opinion veterinary practices despite their usefulness in providing diagnostic information that would otherwise be omitted from results generated from automated analysers. Well made, well stained diagnostic blood smears can instantly provide vital information regarding the health of the patient and even provide a diagnosis. However, making quality blood smears is open to intraspecific and interspecific observer error and therefore this article aims to provide best practice guidelines along with a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to aid veterinary clinicians, nurses, technicians and students in the production of diagnostic blood smears.

Canine osteoarthritis: pathophysiology and management

    Review
  • Thursday, October 2, 2014
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
Osteoarthritis (OA), is one of the most commonly seen, chronically painful conditions in dogs and, if left unmanaged often leads to debilitating, painful lameness. In geriatric dogs, the incapacity caused by degenerative joint disease may be the major contributing factor in a decision for euthanasia. This highlights the importance of appropriate, multi-modal management of the disease and good nursing management to facilitate the best quality of life possible for the dog.The main objectives when treating OA is to slow down the progression of the disease, provide analgesia and address aggravating factors. Carmichael (2006) has devised the ABCDE (analgesia, bodyweight, control, disease modification, exercise) approach to OA, which may be helpful when formulating a holistic treatment plan for patients with the disease.For veterinary nurses involved in the provision of analgesia for these patients, it is important to understand the rationale behind using a combination of agents, rather than the reliance on a single drug. In addition, knowledge of the most appropriate analgesic agents for individual patients is essential in order to provide optimal pain relief and reduce the negative effects of specific drugs in high risk or ageing patients.Veterinary nurses play an integral role in the care of patients with OA and can be a huge source of support and guidance for the patient and owner. A good outcome and improved quality of life for these patients requires a multidisciplinary team that involves the entire pathway of care. Veterinary nurses can facilitate this care via careful assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patient and continued support for the owner.

How to manage the veterinary dispensary

    Review
  • Tuesday, May 1, 2012
    • | The Veterinary Nurse
This article provides readers with guidance on the setting up and running of a veterinary dispensary. Following guidance and requirements from relevant bodies (such as the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)), readers will be taken through some of the required and recommended policies and regulations associated with the management of a veterinary dispensary. It is important for the veterinary nurse to be aware of current requirements for veterinary prescriptions, prescribing cascade, suitably qualified person, waste guidelines and the understanding of stock control which has been included in this article.

Current filters

Filter by

Keep up to date with The Veterinary Nurse!

Sign up to The Veterinary Nurse's regular newsletters and keep up-to-date with the very latest clinical research and CPD we publish each month.

© Copyright 2023 MA Healthcare Ltd | All rights reserved