Veterinary Nurses Research Articles

UK veterinary professionals' perceptions and experiences of adverse drug reaction reporting.

Spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is the cornerstone of pharmacovigilance. Despite this, it is believed that there is significant under-reporting in the veterinary setting. Low reporting rates delay marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) and regulators taking mitigating action in the case of safety concerns. We designed a survey to explore the perceptions, attitudes and experiences of UK veterinary professionals towards ADR reporting. The survey was advertised widely through conventional and social media and at several conferences. In total, 260 respondents completed the survey, including 210 veterinary surgeons, 49 veterinary nurses and one suitably qualified person. Respondents generally understood the need to report ADRs. The main barrier to reporting was the suspected ADR being well known, and the most popular potential facilitator identified was the ability to report via the practice management system. Facilitation via education in the form of a pharmacovigilance themed continuing professional development event was particularly popular among veterinary nurses, who reported time as being less of a barrier to reporting than their veterinary surgeon counterparts. Our findings suggest that technological interventions to facilitate reporting and empowerment of veterinary nurses to report through a tailored training event should be explored further.

Veterinary surgeons', veterinary nurses' and owners' experiences of feline telemedicine consultations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

There has been increasing provision of veterinary telemedicine consultations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little evidence currently exists examining these remote consultations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore veterinary and cat owner experiences of telemedicine consultations during the pandemic. Two questionnaires, one aimed at veterinary professionals and one at cat owners, were launched in September 2020. Questions explored the type of consultation conducted remotely, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine, and the role of telemedicine in the future of veterinary practice. Responses were received from 242 veterinary professionals and 98 owners with experience of telemedicine. Monitoring and advice consultations were felt to be most suited to telemedicine. Reduced stress for owners/cats was seen as an advantage of telemedicine, while lack of clinical examination and risk of misdiagnosis were viewed as disadvantages. Most respondents (85.7% [n=84/98] of owners; 67.4% [n=163/242] of veterinary professionals) felt practices should continue to offer telemedicine consultations. With increasing pet ownership and practice workload, telemedicine may play a crucial role in the future of veterinary practice. Future work should focus on a strategic approach to feline telemedicine, integrating it alongside face-to-face visits and developing technologies to maximise its advantages.

The use of behaviourally-active medication in companion animals part 3

Behaviour cases are common in general practice and veterinary nurses can play a vital role in their identification and management. Full behavioural assessment and implementation of a behaviour modification protocol remains essential, but increasingly animals may also be prescribed psychoactive medications. The third part of this article outlines some of the ways in which veterinary nurses can contribute to improving the behavioural welfare of the animals under their care. In addition to being behaviourally aware at all times when handling animals in the veterinary surgery, veterinary nurses can play an important role in identifying those cases that may benefit from additional behavioural support and, where appropriate, behaviourally-active medication. Knowing what to expect when animals are treated with these medications will also ensure that nurses can best support the owners of animals that are undergoing treatment.

The veterinary nurse's role in the management of acute oropharyngeal injury in dogs

Oropharyngeal injuries are commonly seen in practice. Severity can range from minor the life threatening. It is important that veterinary nurses can confidently perform an initial triage, recognise life-threatening problems, and provide initial stabilisation to these patients. Nurses play a fundamental role in the management of these cases throughout their stay in hospital. This article aims to provide practical advice and guidance on cases of oropharyngeal injury, and the importance of client education to help prevent similar cases in the future.

How to examine, take samples and prepare slides for diagnosis of canine ear disorders

Veterinary nurses play a vital role in ear examination, supporting veterinary surgeons in making their diagnosis. This article provides an outline on how to examine the ears of a canine patient, how to take a swab for cytology and how to prepare slides for examination.

APPOINTMENTS CELEBRATE VETERINARY NURSING AWARENESS MONTH

Veterinary RecordVolume 190, Issue 12 p. iii-iii People APPOINTMENTS CELEBRATE VETERINARY NURSING AWARENESS MONTH First published: 17 June 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1943Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume190, Issue1218 June–2 July 2022Pages iii-iii RelatedInformation

Empathy and Burnout in Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses: Identifying Burnout Protectors

ABSTRACT Burnout in animal health care providers (AHCPs), namely, veterinarians and veterinary nurses, is highly prevalent. Although empathy can be a potential risk factor for burnout in these professionals, research has not empirically addressed the association between empathy and AHCP burnout. This study’s main aims were: (a) to analyze the association between empathy and burnout for AHCPs, distinguishing affective and cognitive empathy toward humans and empathy toward animals; (b) to analyze the possible protective effects of justice perceptions, professional identification, and meaningful work, to counteract the negative impact of empathy on burnout; and (c) to extend analyses to control for variables that might act as burnout protectors or risk factors, such as gender, years of professional experience, workload, income, and the perception that professionals suffer when performing euthanasia procedures. Convenience samples of 229 veterinarians and 96 veterinary nurses were collected in Portugal. The participants were invited to complete an anonymous online survey with self-reported measures. The measures used assessed burnout (exhaustion and disengagement), empathy for humans (cognitive and affective) and empathy for animals, justice perceptions, professional identification, and meaningful work. Multiple regression analysis showed that affective empathy was a significant risk factor for exhaustion in veterinarians and veterinary nurses. Empathy for animals was a significant risk factor for veterinarian exhaustion. Neither of the measures of empathy was a significant predictor of disengagement for veterinarians or veterinary nurses. Professional identification and justice perceptions, namely belief in a just world, were found to be significant burnout protectors. It is recommended that justice perceptions and professional identification should receive special attention in interventions to prevent and/or reduce burnout among AHCPs. The alternative possibility of preventing burnout through a decrease in empathy is not advisable, however, because empathy is a vital AHCP skill.

Endotracheal intubation of the dog and cat

Endotracheal intubation is performed for general anaesthesia, critical care, and emergency situations. As the veterinary surgeon often performs this procedure, it may be under-developed, or minimally practiced by veterinary nurses (VNs) despite being legal to perform in several countries. As an emergency skill, and as the role of VNs grows, this article aims to act as a resource for VNs wanting to learn to perform endotracheal intubation correctly. This article will only review the purpose of endotracheal intubation, the relevant anatomy and physiology, equipment, techniques, and troubleshooting. It will not offer a detailed comparison of endotracheal intubation versus laryngeal mask airway, nor will it discuss the technique for endotracheal tube cuff inflation as the full scope of published data, experiences and opinions could not be given due justice: moreover, this is an area of the skill VNs are already familiar with. Maintenance of the in-situ tube and extubation are also excluded and all of these subjects warrant further discussion in a separate article.

Mask wearing in the veterinary practice

The clinical environment of a veterinary practice relies on personal protective equipment (PPE) for infection and biosecurity control, especially in areas such as the operating theatre room, dental suites and isolation wards. PPE places a barrier between staff and exposure risk and helps prevent the spread of pathogens between animals and staff. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks were mainly required in clinical areas that posed the highest risk. However, as a result of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, being spread by airborne transmission, face masks have been worn throughout all areas of practice, reducing the emission of the virus carrying particles when worn by an infected person. This article discusses the evidence-based research for the effectiveness of face coverings in the control of the spread of COVID-19. It also considers the social and psychological impacts to veterinary staff, clients and patients with doing so. Information on COVID-19 was gathered from government and scientific studies and research conducted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and Dogs Trust relating to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on animals and veterinary nurses.

The use of behaviourally-active medication in companion animals part 2

Behaviour cases are common in general practice and veterinary nurses can play a vital role in their identification and management. Full behavioural assessment and implementation of a behaviour modification protocol remains essential, but increasingly animals may also be prescribed psychoactive medications. This second of three articles focuses on the use of short-acting behaviourally-active medication in dogs and cats. This is particularly relevant to veterinary nurses because they are very likely to encounter animals that will benefit from short-acting medication either to facilitate handling in the veterinary surgery or to help them cope with other potentially scary situations such as being groomed or exposed to loud noises such as fireworks/thunderstorms. The most commonly-used short-acting behaviourally active drugs were outlined in Part 1. This article focuses on the decision-making process that will be needed when choosing the most appropriate short-acting behaviourally active drugs for individual animals.

The role of veterinary nurses in canine cataracts

Canine cataract formation is a commonly presented condition in first opinion practice. With the advancements in medical knowledge and the availability of surgical correction registered veterinary nurses are becoming increasing involved in their management and the education of owners. This article aims to discuss the aeitology of canine cataracts, the management options available and the role of veterinary nurses in these cases.

Animal Cancer Trust

The Animal Cancer Trust aims to be the first port of call for owners of pets with cancer, and their veterinary surgeons and nurses. Chief executive and veterinary epidemiologist Vicki Adams explains what the charity does and how you can get involved.

Weight management and feeding requirements for geriatric donkeys

Many donkeys are now kept as pets rather than working animals, meaning they often live longer – many now reach 20 years old and are classed as geriatric. Weight gain is common in geriatric donkeys as they usually live a sedentary life because of their age, so dietary management of these donkeys is essential to help to prevent health problems such as laminitis and hyperlipaemia. It is important that vets and registered veterinary nurses have an understanding of donkey nutrition and feeding.

Practical Canine Behaviour: For Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, Second Edition S Hedges (2021). Published by CABI, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8DE, UK. 312 pages Paperback (ISBN: 978-1789246810). Price £45.00, €52.00, US$60.00.

Practical Canine Behaviour: For Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, Second Edition S Hedges (2021). Published by CABI, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8DE, UK. 312 pages Paperback (ISBN: 978-1789246810). Price £45.00, €52.00, US$60.00. - Volume 31 Issue 2

Randomised clinical trial evaluating the effect of a single preappointment dose of gabapentin on signs of stress in hyperthyroid cats.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin as an anxiolytic in hyperthyroid cats.MethodsCats (n = 47) with confirmed hyperthyroidism were successfully enrolled. The cat owner allocated a temperament score and a transport stress score at their first visit. For the second visit the cat owner (blinded to treatment) administered either liquid gabapentin 20 mg/kg (n = 22) or an indistinguishable placebo solution (n = 25) 1 h prior to leaving home. A second transport score was allocated by the cat owner at this visit. Upon admission a compliance score was independently assigned by two veterinary nurses blinded to treatment. Excess blood from routine blood draw was analysed for gabapentin plasma concentration from cats in the gabapentin group.ResultsThere were no significant differences in baseline transport score between groups (P = 0.13), but significant differences were noted in the second visit transport score between cats medicated with gabapentin compared with placebo (P = 0.018). Mean compliance scores were significantly different between cats in the treatment group compared with placebo (P = 0.019). Further sedation was required to complete the procedures in 24% of cats in the placebo group compared to 9% in the gabapentin group (P = 0.25). Mean plasma gabapentin concentrations were 10.1 mg/l (range 1.7–22.7) in the gabapentin group within a 1–3 h time frame post-administration.Conclusions and relevanceHyperthyroid cats medicated with 20 mg/kg gabapentin 1 h prior to leaving home were more relaxed during transport and more compliant with veterinary procedures than cats administered a placebo solution.

A Dog with an Office: The Process of Embedding a Wellness Dog Intervention in a University Setting

Universities are places to promote the wellbeing of people who learn, work, and live within them. This article reports on an innovative, holistic, and embedded wellness dog program that was developed by the Faculty of Nursing to support the wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff. The innovation included a collaborative partnership between two faculties (the faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Nursing), and the targeted purchase, training, and socialization of a wellness dog. Pet wellness programs have the potential to be an important mental health intervention on university campuses. While the program was postponed due to COVID-19, the purpose of this article is to share processes used to create the wellness dog program, with suggestions regarding implementation and evaluation.

The use of behaviourally-active medication in companion animals part 1

Behaviour cases are common in general practice and veterinary nurses can play a vital role in their identification and management. Full behavioural assessment and implementation of a behaviour modification protocol remains essential, but increasingly animals may also be prescribed psychoactive medications. This three-part article aims to give veterinary nurses a comprehensive introduction to the principles of using behaviourally-active medication in companion animals. Part 1 contains an overview of the main types of behaviourally active drugs available for treating dogs and cats in the UK, and the different types of behavioural problems that they can potentially help. This will be followed in Part 2 by a more detailed look at the decision-making process for using short-acting behaviourally-active medications, supported by case examples. Part 3 will outline ways in which veterinary nurses can contribute to improving the behavioural welfare of their patients generally, including through identifying and supporting those animals that will benefit from behaviourally active medication.

Dentistry for veterinary nurses: what you can see in the consultation room

Registered veterinary nurses provide the tools for oral care, whether that be in the consulting room or in a dental suite. It is their job to make sure owners understand the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene to help their pet live a pain free life. This is done through dental clinics and being confident in the products and services being offered. Veterinary nurses can educate owners on the facts of dental disease and help them understand that most of the dental disease is below the gum line. It is also important to have sound knowledge on what normal looks like so that abnormalities can be detected.

Understanding protein losing enteropathy (PLE)

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) is not a diagnosis of a specific disease but can be considered a symptom or syndrome of a disease or disorder, often from gastrointestinal origin. Although more common in dogs, it can also be presented in cats, with variation in symptoms being mild to severe and life-threatening. Often requiring hospitalisation, veterinary nurses may become very involved in the care of patients with PLE. Understanding the syndrome and nursing requirements may improve patient recovery. This article discusses the fundamental pathophysiology, aetiology, presentation, diagnostics, treatment and nursing considerations relevant to PLE.

A patient care report of a young crossbreed dog with a patent ductus arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common congenital diseases seen in dogs, which usually will result in heart failure and death if left untreated. Veterinary nurses play a key role in the care of these patients through all stages of diagnosis and treatment, and understanding the disease process allows nurses to provide a higher standard of care through preparation and understanding of likely effects and outcome of disease on patients. This case report looks at the diagnosis, treatment and nursing care provided to a young crossbreed dog diagnosed with a PDA following auscultation of a loud, continuous heart murmur.