in Practice最新文献

Background: Capnography is a monitoring tool that is increasingly available in veterinary practice, providing valuable information regarding ventilatory status and tissue perfusion. While its main use is during general anaesthesia, capnography can also be applied in conscious/sedated animals.

Aim of the article: This article describes how capnography works, the different devices available, and how to interpret the information provided. A discussion regarding troubleshooting is presented to help identify and solve common issues that may arise while using capnography.

There are many reasons why people take a break from clinical work, including parental or caring leave, sickness, sabbaticals, working overseas or pursuing a non-clinical role. Supporting these vets and vet nurses in their return to work will ensure the transition is as successful as it can be for employee, employer and the wider team. Moreover, having clear support in place will also make returning to clinical work more appealing, enabling the profession to retain many more experienced clinicians. In this article – the first in a two-part series – I discuss ways in which the returner can approach the return to work to maximise the chances of a successful transition and mitigate the challenges involved. Part 2 (to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice) will explore the ways in which practices can support colleagues returning to the clinical workforce.

Background: Mammary tumours remain one of the most common types of cancer in female cats. Management recommendations are still not well established, but early diagnosis and treatment can have a positive impact on outcome.

Aim of the article: This article describes the signalment, diagnostic work up, treatment and prognosis for cats diagnosed with mammary tumours, alongside recent literature updates.

Within the busy veterinary practice, the thought of making change can seem overwhelming. The marginal gains theory is concerned with small incremental changes which, when added together, make a significant improvement. In this article we explore the application of marginal gains in the veterinary world. By focusing on how we can make small, consistent improvements in practice, change is not only possible, but practical too.

Background: Hypotension, or low arterial blood pressure (ABP), is a common complication during general anaesthesia, even in otherwise healthy animals. Recognition of the problem and an understanding of why it is occurring is necessary so that appropriate treatment can be implemented. Persistent hypotension may lead to organ injury if left untreated and can contribute to poor patient outcomes.

Aim of the article: This article discusses the pathophysiology of hypotension during general anaesthesia and the treatment options available. Part one of this two-part series, published in last month's In Practice, reviewed the physiology and measurement of ABP.

The age at which the neutering of dogs should be performed is widely debated, with criteria such as the stage of seasons (eg, before or after); breed and adult size; and behavioural aspects all influencing decision making. These criteria need to be taken into consideration alongside the environment in which the animal lives and any other animals around the individual in question; for example, an individual dog kept within a household will have different neutering criteria than a non-owned, free-roaming dog. Neutering recommendations need to move away from a blanket approach for all dogs to a more contextualised, patient-centric approach, incorporating the animal and owner's narrative. In the majority of veterinary practices, registered veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurses are often delegated the task of discussing neutering with pet owners, and to perform the surgical admission for the procedure. This article looks at the elements of neutering that veterinary surgeons delegating these tasks must be aware of (noting that they still hold responsibility of the task under the Veterinary Surgeon's Act 1966).

Background: A variety of plasma products are commercially available for veterinary use in the UK. These products have a wide array of beneficial properties and can be considered for use in multiple clinical scenarios. Although a large proportion of the available information surrounding their use is gathered from human scientific data, recent veterinary studies have provided new evidence for their safe administration in veterinary patients.

Aim of the article: This article provides a detailed view of fresh frozen plasma and offers readers an easy-to-digest guide on how to use it in practice. It describes some of the recent evidence supporting fresh frozen plasma use, allowing readers to evaluate whether administration is indicated in their patients. Finally, the article briefly summarises other plasma products available for veterinary use in the UK.