Fluid therapy for emergent and critical cases: hypovolaemia vs dehydration

King and Boag (2018) stated that the average patient's body weight is made up of the weight of dry matter (40%), such as tissues and bones, and also fluid (60%). Fluid can then be further subdivided...

How to provide nutrition to rabbits in the critical care setting

As discussed, rabbits require a source of low-quality roughage, as well as a handful of non-selective pellets, and some fruit/vegetables in small amounts. Ideally, they should receive at least 80% of...

How to nurse the avian patient

Parrots, waterfowl and birds of prey should be housed in different ways as they have different needs (Figures 1, 2 and 3). Parrots and birds of prey are arboreal species and they feel safer being...

How to perform fluid therapy

Following initial examination and diagnostics the VS will have established issues with hydration, tissue perfusion and fluid volume or loss, will prioritise their aims or goals, will select the most...

Emergency assessment and nursing of a queen with dystocia

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...

How to manage intraosseous catheters in exotic species

Sadly, many exotic patients are critically ill by the time they reach a veterinary clinic. This is probably due to the fact that many of these animals are prey species. As an evolutionary survival...

Nursing a canine in septic shock: a patient care report

The patient presented with a 2-day history of vomiting, anorexia and lethargy. On admission, she was trembling and panting. There was a previous history of a gastrointestinal foreign body.

Nursing a patient with feline urethral obstruction — a patient care report

The patient presented to the clinic with a 3day history of anuria, vomiting, lethargy, and pain. The patient had recently had cystitis which had been treated with meloxicam (Loxicom, Norbrook) for 14...

Patient care report for the stabilisation of a cat with a traumatic diaphragmatic rupture

The patient presented with a history of acute dyspnoea and lethargy progressing to collapse. He was reported to be inappetant and it was unknown whether he had passed urine or faeces within the last...

How to set up for intravenous fluid therapy

The VS will initially assess the patient by taking a history from the animal's owner, considering the main complaint or reason for presentation. A full physical clinical examination will be performed...