in Practice最新文献

Background: Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, the number of dogs being imported into the UK remains high. At the same time there are a variety of factors driving global parasite distributions, increasing the likelihood that imported pets will be infected with exotic parasites. Therefore, early diagnosis of exotic infections is important, both in dogs with clinical signs but also those that are subclinical carriers. Detecting infections allows us to minimise the potential zoonotic exposure, plan for treatment of any pathogens present and maintain UK biosecurity.

Aim of the article: This article summarises the clinical signs and testing options for the key parasites that imported dogs may be infected with.

Background: This is the second article in a two-part series on tortoise health, and focuses on two areas of significant clinical concern: reproductive and respiratory diseases. Although both common, the clinical presentation of these conditions in tortoises varies greatly from that of more familiar domestic mammal patients. The first part of the series was published in the January/February 2024 issue of In Practice and covered husbandry and husbandry-related diseases.

Aim of the article: This article outlines further clinical conditions commonly seen in captive tortoises and their aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Euthanasia technique is also discussed and is a procedure which is possible to be carried out in any veterinary clinic where welfare of a tortoise is significantly compromised.

The surplus of medical equipment procured by the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic provides the veterinary sector with an opportunity to significantly improve the medical equipment they use on a daily basis. This article outlines how building a strategic replacement programme in practice is the first step to actively managing an asset base of medical devices, and explains that there are now good opportunities to improve the veterinary medical equipment asset bases with significantly lower investment.

Background: Helminths are found in most grazing horses. When high burdens occur, these worms can cause serious disease. Historically, the threat of parasite-associated pathology led to control programmes that comprised regular all-group anthelmintic treatments. Unfortunately, this approach encouraged selection for drug resistance, in particular, in cyathostomins. For over 25 years, parasitologists have recommended that prophylactic treatments be avoided and, instead, tests be applied to indicate which helminths are present in populations and at what levels worms are found in, or excreted by, individuals. These evidence-based approaches have had variable uptake across regions. In the UK, there has been a gradual rise in testing, especially the use of faecal egg count analysis to inform treatment decisions to reduce egg shedding from horses that contribute most to pasture contamination. Antibody-based tests are also being used to enable assessment of burdens of Anoplocephala perfoliata and cyathostomins in order to provide information on the presence of these parasites in populations.

Aim of the article: This article provides an update on how to use diagnostics alongside improved pasture management in equine worm control programmes to reduce anthelmintic treatment frequency.

Background: Dental extractions in their various forms (collectively known as exodontics) are exceedingly common treatments in first-opinion practice. Despite being something even the most seasoned colleagues often dread performing, it is a skill all veterinary surgeons, including new graduates, are expected to be confident in. However, veterinary dentistry is commonly undertaught in universities and so many of us end up being taught these skills in practice by our colleagues, who, in most cases, haven't had a significant level of formal training themselves and feel less than positive about the task. Therefore, it is no wonder that many vets begin to sweat at the idea of a geriatric cat with tooth resorption that's been booked in for extractions just before evening consultations. Fortunately, with but a small amount of knowledge and a modicum of practice, dental extractions can quickly become hugely rewarding and potentially transformative for patient welfare.

Aim of the article: The intention of this two-part series is to provide readers with the comprehensive knowledge needed to successfully perform dental extractions. This first part focuses on clinical anatomy, dental instrumentation and the basic principles of extractions. Part two, to be published in a subsequent issue, will focus on closed and open extractions, from initial flap design to closure.