in Practice最新文献

Background: Arterial blood pressure (ABP) is essential to provide adequate perfusion pressure and blood flow to tissues. Usually, ABP is tightly controlled through a variety of complex physiological mechanisms, and significant deviation of ABP from normal may result in end-organ damage. Measurement of ABP is relatively straightforward and can be used to assess cardiovascular function and guide therapeutic decisions. Challenges in the interpretation of ABP may arise due to individual patient factors and may be dependent on the method of measurement.

Aim of the article: This article is the first in a two-part series and aims to review the physiology and measurement of arterial blood pressure in small animal practice. The second article, to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will focus on the pathophysiology of hypotension and the options for treatment.

Background: Dental disease is still one of the most common reasons rabbits are presented to veterinary practices. Successful treatment of these challenging cases is possible in general practice, and an understanding of the dynamic function of the rabbit mouth is a good foundation for this. By employing transferable skills, the diagnosis and treatment of acquired dental disease in rabbits can be to the same standards as for other companion animals.

Aim of the article: This article details the process of dealing with dental disease from history through diagnostics to physical intervention and aftercare, highlighting accessible options at all stages in these patients.

The increasing interest in supporting human psychological wellbeing in the workplace should be applauded. Within the animal health industry, especially in veterinary and welfare sectors, the need to support staff has perhaps never been more salient. One support method that can be appealing for organisations is to offer interventions that are group based. Groups can be viewed as cost effective by delivering help to a number of people at one time; however, they are often wrongly perceived as a quick and cheap option. Moreover, groups are commonly believed to be pleasant places which, by their very nature, will be social, kind and healing – but this can be a misplaced belief. Groups may provide few or none of the intended outcomes, or even cause more harm than good. Just as a medication can have unwanted and sometimes harmful side effects, so too can psychological and social interventions. Leaning on our experience of running formal groups in a number of different ways, in this article we aim to share thinking about what is needed to run groups to support staff wellbeing. We also cover factors to consider before embarking on this type of intervention to ensure that groups help staff rather than harm them.

Background: Feline allergic skin disease presents a diagnostic challenge due to the potentially subtle and widely variable clinical presentations known as feline reaction patterns. Cats are often secretive in their pruritic behaviours and so, unlike with canine disease, the clinical history for a cat may not give insight into the presence of pruritus. Once a diagnosis of feline allergic disease is achieved, there are several treatment options available; however, the majority have not been studied extensively in cats and many represent off-license use.

Aim of the article: This article outlines the relevant steps in making a diagnosis of feline atopic skin syndrome and reviews the treatment options available.

Background: To ensure optimum flock fertility in the subsequent breeding season, it is important to ensure that ewes are in good health following weaning. Drafting (the period between weaning and tupping where ewes are sorted for culling) is a key time in the flock year to ensure only the most productive ewes are retained for breeding. Identifying health issues soon after weaning allows time for recovery, or for replacements to be sourced if necessary. Postweaning is also often an important time for the identification of underlying endemic diseases within a flock – the stress of pregnancy and lactation may exacerbate clinical signs and guide the clinician towards the requirement for diagnostic investigations.

Aim of the article: This article, the second in a two-part series on managing weaning issues in lambs and ewes, provides information about common health conditions that can be identified in the postweaning period which could affect subsequent reproductive performance of ewes. Examination of culling data of ewes can provide practitioners with information about the health of the flock and potential underlying health conditions to investigate. Information regarding how to investigate these conditions is also presented. Part one of this series, which was published in the January/February issue of In Practice (Forster and Falder 2024), focused on the common issues encountered by both ewes and lambs at weaning time and how to minimise these problems.