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VetNurse.co.uk publishes a curated feed of veterinary nursing news for registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), students (SVNs) and veterinary nursing assistants, with a primary focus on the UK profession.
We select stories based on their practical relevance, clinical interest or professional significance — filtering out noise so busy veterinary nurses can stay informed quickly.
Our coverage includes:
We report across all areas of practice, including companion animal, referral and specialist settings, with a focus on issues affecting veterinary nurses in clinical and professional roles.
Our editorial approach is deliberately selective and concise. We prioritise clarity and relevance over volume, aiming to make each story worth your time.
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Companion Consultancy Director Susan Mackay, herself a veterinary surgeon, started Companion Consultancy in 2002.
She said: “We added a design team to the agency two years ago and it’s been fantastic to have this resource available in-house.
"In the digital space people increasingly consume their content as images and sound as much as the written word and it has become key to delivering communication projects that really work.”
VetNurse.co.uk editor Arlo Guthrie said: "I couldn't agree with Susan more. As a news editor, I get a barrage of press releases every day.
"Those with powerful photos or video that will stand out on all the different social media platforms get prioritised.
"Those that have poor images, or none at all tend to get ignored."
Susan added: “For complex projects we can have one or more of our vets working alongside the designer to get all the technical nuances exactly right.
"Infographics for instance are a great way to overcome language barriers but explaining the complexities of how vaccines work in pictures needs veterinary input and our designers then come up with visual ways to represent those concepts so we can work through those together.
"On simpler projects, clients don’t have to waste time explaining why they don’t want to show a dog wearing a choke chain or carrying a stick, because our designers already bring an additional level of understanding to their work.
"We want to make it clear that you don’t have to be a Companion Consultancy client to benefit from this great resource.”
Companion Design Studio is offering a free, no obligation 30 minute design consultation to the first 10 applicants from the veterinary community who want expert input on their existing branding and how it has been applied, or to gather ideas for new design projects.
www.companiondesignstudio.co.uk or call Tom on 07925 133302.
Called 24/7 Pet Hospital, the 10-part series will be broadcast every weekday morning at 10am until Friday 17 February.
Ben Harris, Wear’s Clinical Director, said: “Opening our doors to the BBC will help us to show the public what happens in a specialist veterinary hospital when a pet is unwell – and highlight the incredible care they receive by vets, nurses and support staff.
"The programme follows all aspects of our work, from initial consultations to the moment pets are reunited with their owners."
You will be able to view all 10 episodes on iPlayer here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hz7n/broadcasts/upcoming.
Led by the RVC’s VetCompass Programme, the study included 1,000 CCL rupture cases and a random selection of 500,000 other dogs without CCL injury.
The research found that the breeds at most risk of CCL rupture, compared with crossbreeds, were Rottweiler (x 3.66 times risk), Bichon Frise (x 2.09), West Highland White Terrier (x 1.80) and Golden Retriever (x 1.69).
Conversely, the breeds with the lowest risk were Cockapoo (x 0.26), Chihuahua (x 0.31), Shih-tzu (x 0.41) and German Shepherd Dog (x 0.43).
Additional findings included:
The study also showed that insured dogs and dogs weighing over 20 kg were more likely to receive surgical management, while dogs older than 9 years and those with another major clinical problem at the time of diagnosis with CCL rupture were less likely to receive surgical management.
Camilla Pegram, VetCompass PhD student at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “This study has used the power of “big data” to robustly address the risk factors for cruciate ligament rupture diagnosis and management in dogs.
"The factors affecting the decision to surgically or non-surgically treat dogs with cruciate rupture are now clearer, with future work underway to address the clinical outcomes of this decision.”
Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said: “After centuries of reshaping by mankind, dogs now come in over 800 distinct and recognisable breeds that each has its own unique pattern of health and disease.
"This new study helps owners of breeds such as Rottweiler, Bichon Frise and West Highland White Terrier to understand that sudden lameness in a hindleg could indicate a ruptured cruciate ligament that needs urgent veterinary care.”
The course has been put together by the charity's Investigations Team with the help of Mark Naguib BVMS(Hons) CertAVP(ZooMed) MRCVS.
The course has been designed to help you identify animals which have been targeted by illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning, and how to make sure valuable evidence is preserved for any investigation by the police.
The course includes:
The course is open to anyone in veterinary practice, and is worth 2 hours CPD: https://www.rspb.org.uk/rspb-vet-cpd
In what the company says is a European first, IVC vets will be recognised for the skills they already have, as well as supported to achieve new skills within the GP framework.
The programme is also intended to increase GP's status within the profession, boost confidence, develop ability and provide a clear path for career progression.
Edward Davies BVSc MRCVS, IVC's new Aspirational GP Lead, said: "The plethora of skills a GP vet has is unparalleled when you look at other professions.
“This programme is about recognising the core and expansive knowledge sets we as GP vets possess, not just at an individual level, but an organisational and professional level.”
An initial two cohorts of up to 20-30 vets from across the business will take part over the next 12 months, and the expectation is that it will take around two years for every cohort to complete.
The programme is structured around a portfolio-based assessment by peers, with six core and three elective categories.
The core section includes the elements seen as fundamental to being a successful GP vet, complimented by the individual vet’s selection of three elective modules which best fit their clinical interests.
IVC says it plans for the GP Vet Futures Award to be externally accredited.
The toolkit includes a 15-minute CPD webinar: ‘How to best use ProZinc to successfully manage diabetes in cats and dogs’, hosted by Dr Jamie Adams BVSc PhD MRCVS, Senior Brand Technical Advisor at Boehringer Ingelheim.
Vet nurses who watch the webinar can enter a competition for a coffee machine for their veterinary practice by answering three questions at the end.
The toolkit also has a diabetes management reference guide covering how to make a confident diagnosis and start treatment with ProZinc, how best to monitor and reassess the patient and how to adjust the dose for optimal control.
There are also glucose curve charts, pet owner guides, home care journals and a link to the ProZinc pet owner website, www.prozinc.co.uk, which contains information to help owners feel confident in managing their pet’s diabetes.
The webinar and toolkit are available from: www.boehringer-academy.co.uk.
On hand to answer your questions is Adam Gregory, RVN NCert (Anaesth) DMZAA DipVNZS APVN, Head Nurse at Great Western Exotics.
Before putting your questions to Adam, you're invited to read his article on the subject here: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pain-management-in-the-avian-patient
Then join the Clinical Article Club here: https://www.vetnurse.co.uk/vetnurse-clinical-article-club and post your question or discussion point in the forum.
Remember, you can claim time spent reading or participating in the discussion towards your annual CPD requirement: press the 'Claim CPD' button at the top right of the discussion thread.
The business is led by RCVS Specialists in Small Animal Orthopaedics, Professor John Innes and Ben Walton, alongside American veterinary orthopaedic specialist and investor, Dr Brian Beale.
Two more Specialists are due to join the senior team in May.
Building work is apparently well underway on the 8000ft2 premises in Abbots Park, Preston Brook, which will be equipped with CT, high-field MRI, and three operating theatres.
The centre, which is located near Junction 11 of the M56, will provide referral services to veterinary practices from the conurbations of the North of England and the surrounding English and Welsh counties.
Ben Walton said: “For me, it is an honour to team up with John and Brian who have unparalleled international reputations, and I’m eagerly anticipating the arrival of our two additional colleagues.
"For veterinary professionals and clients, we are concentrating on responsive and clear communication, high clinical standards, and fair pricing.
"And finally, for prospective employees, we’re determined to foster a positive and supportive culture where vets, nurses and support staff can grow, thrive and enjoy a career.”
Until the opening of the new centre, Movement Referrals offers a peripatetic orthopaedics referral service based out of third party veterinary practices in the North West of England and North Wales.
www.movementvets.co.uk
Photo: from left to right: Prof. John Innes, Ben Walton, Dr Brian Beale
In the Horiba-sponsored webinar, Kit will draw on personal experience and case study examples to illustrate how the innovative use of adjunctive tests can support rapid clinical decision-making when triaging patients.
For example, Kit will consider whether inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A can be used to assess if current signs are likely associated with inflammatory diseases, such as pancreatitis, or whether further investigation is required to determine cause of illness.
Kit will also consider the case of Ollie a 10-year-old German shorthaired pointer presenting as vaguely unwell with reduced appetite.
Is this just a flare-up of his chronic osteoarthritis and likely to respond to pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment, or something else?
Attendees will be able to questions in a live Q&A session at the end of the webinar.
Horiba's team will also be on hand to answer questions on in-house diagnostics.
For free registration, visit: https://bit.ly/3wGADcm
The survey of 1,019 dog owners was conducted by petbuzz in December 2022.
Veterinary cardiology specialist, Dr Rachel James, said: “The CKCS has long been a very popular breed of dog in high demand, due to their loving and placid nature making them perfect family pet.
"We know that sadly at least 50% of CKCS have evidence of MVD disease by the time they are five, with 98% of dogs affected in their lifetimes.
"However, we can help our clients when selecting this breed to choose a puppy that is less likely to develop MVD at an early age, by utilising the heart testing scheme (Doppler heart testing).
"Prospective owners should be asking to see test results for the parents, grandparents, and even better great grandparents too, on both maternal and paternal sides.
"In addition breeders need more support and education to encourage the use of the heart testing scheme and how this can enable them to choose the best dogs to breed from.
"Furthermore we should be encouraging breeders to breed from dogs only when they are at least 3 years of age.”
Vita Animal Health commissioned the survey to raise awareness of the condition and to remind owners to use their vet’s expertise.
Vita’s veterinary nurse, Tara Evans, said: “The CKCS is a very popular breed of dog, perhaps set to be more so now King Charles III is reigning monarch.
"This survey has shown that awareness of mitral valve disease – which is very common in this breed – is not as good as it could be.
"We want to support vets in raising awareness and have useful resources such as our heart disease infographic (www.vitaanimalhealth.com/common-signs-of-heart-disease) that we welcome all vets in using.”
Speakers include Dr Ian Stroud, founder and veterinary director of Pet People, an independent small animal practice in Richmond, South West London, Jack Peploe, a veterinary IT expert and Certified Ethical Hacker, and Ciaran Milford, ezyVet’s EMEA sales manager, who has worked with every type of veterinary practice, from aspiring independents right through to established universities and corporate groups.
Lance Rice, creative director at ezyVet, who will moderate the webinar, said: “Our speakers are all vastly experienced and ideally positioned to explain what makes a successful launch, as well as the key mistakes and common traps that new owners fall into.
"Ian has a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved with starting a veterinary practice.
"Jack is an expert in helping practices leverage technology to save time, whilst delivering exceptional patient care and bolstering their security posture.
"Ciaran is passionate about helping practices find the right solutions for their needs and business goals."
To register, visit: https://www.ezyvet.com/webinar/starting-a-vet-practice-uk
Andy said: “High functioning practices, revolve around the nurses. Naturally, they are a communication hub.
"It makes sense to recognise the essential role they play and develop a nurse-centric structure.”
“Start by making sure you’ve enough nurses and look at how the rota is set up.
"Ensure everyone understands the practice’s vision and mission, as well as the shared values and the behaviours which demonstrate those values.
“When there’s alignment between individual and organisational goals and values, you all naturally pull in the same direction.
“Then it’s about how the day is set up and who runs each part.
"In our practice, the nurse is responsible for the running order, for allocating who’s doing what and making sure everyone understands their roles, and liaising with the vets.
"It’s about ‘working in flow’.”
Helen (pictured right) says empowering nurses is as much about how the team interacts, as its structure: “Like anyone else, nurses need to be acknowledged and have a psychologically safe space to discuss ideas and challenges.
“We can all build trust by being curious and asking lots of different questions.
"Experienced team members need to be fallible and humble, setting the scene so that everyone in the team has voice.
"Ideas should be expected, and welcomed – after all, the outcome of a patient is rarely due to just one person’s expertise.”
She added: “Where nurses’ contribution and potential are recognised, and the hierarchy is shallowed, they make incredible leaders."
“At BSAVA Congress 2023, I’ll be speaking about delegation.
"As leaders we feel we have to ‘own’ tasks and that inevitably means doing it ourselves.
"But that’s not always the best option.
"It can leave leaders feeling overwhelmed, whereas delegating tasks can empower others, build resilience within the team and help with retention.
“Small practices often have that traditional command and control structure – it’s the classic triangle, where the owner sits at the top with others underneath.
"Broadening that hierarchy is both possible and practical.
"Leverage the talent on the team, grow it, develop it and you’ll be nurturing next level of the leaders.”
Andy says he has sometimes found it a challenge to let go: “Like many vets, I used to be a bit of a control freak and had to consciously learn to delegate.
"It’s accepting that others may do it differently, and at first, not as well or as quickly as you.
"The temptation is do it yourself but it immediately blocks others from learning the skill and hampers growth within the team.”
Helen says that when considering promoting anyone into a leadership position, it is important to remember that it isn’t always an innate skill.
“Often, nurses become experts clinically, and then get asked to become leaders in that area.
"This is difficult for some people.
"They feel they should be able to do it, but have had very little training on the subject, don’t have the knowledge or skills and therefore feel unsupported in their role.”
"As the pressure mounts, stress levels rise and it starts to impact on their wellbeing, potentially great leaders step down.
“When this happens everyone loses, and is why I’m so passionate about leadership training.”
www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2023.
Bringing together people working at the cutting edge of small animal and equine osteoarthritis treatment with the companies driving technology, supplies and services, the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Congress is open to both VOA members and non-members, including veterinary surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and others engaged in hydrotherapy and rehabilitation.
Day 1 has two small animal streams – session headings include ‘Managing OA’ and ‘Dealing with chronic pain’; and an equine stream looking at ‘Multidisciplinary management of OA’, ‘OA treatment options’ and ‘Unusual presentations’.
On day 2, ‘Biomodulation in OA’, ‘Working dogs’, ‘Mobility clinic’, and ‘Feline OA focus’ will run alongside sessions on ‘Rehab in action’, ‘Surgery in OA’ and ‘Dietary supplements’.
There’ll also be case presentations and interactive sessions on both days, with demonstrations and lectures from some of the leading firms.
Seven sessions in each stream offers two days of CPD.
After the first day’s sessions there’ll be a happy hour followed by a gala dinner in the Kings Hall. The event is being sponsored by Animalcare (Platinum), TVM UK and the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (Gold) with more to be announced soon.
Professor Stuart Carmichael, co-founder and director of the VOA, said: “Exciting developments are happening in veterinary OA, so we felt now is the right time to put this event on.
"There’s nothing specialist about osteoarthritis treatment and management: every small animal and equine practice deals with OA every day.
“There’s a real need and enthusiasm for bringing the latest thinking to as wide an audience as possible, so VOACON offers sessions for all members of the practice, whatever their interest is, along with rehab and physio teams.
"It’s actually been pretty difficult fitting everything in, but we’re confident we’ve got a great programme offering real, practical CPD that will benefit practices, their clients and their patients.”
Delegate rates for VOA members are:
Non-members (who can join the VOA when booking to qualify for members’ rates):
Rates include a hot buffet lunch, congress book and CPD certification.
To book or to download the programme, visit www.vet-oa.com/voacon.
The poster gives information about things like lillies, chocolate, raisins, fertilisers, weedkillers and adders.
TVM will also be running its annual social media campaign about the most common spring dangers, giving practices digital content which they can share with clients.
To get a poster for your practice, contact your local TVM territory manager or visit https://www.tvm-uk.com/pet-dangers-order-free-display-materials-for-your-practice.
During the day, visiting RVNs will be treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art, £16 million, 40,000 sq ft hospital, which opened last summer.
Nicola Barrigan, Head of Nursing Services at Southfields, said: “The open day will give visitors an informal opportunity to speak to members of our nursing team in relaxed surroundings to find out a bit more about what life is like here at Southfields.
“There will also be the chance for them to attend nurse-led presentations, including Q&A sessions, chat with our clinicians and discuss progression opportunities with the Linnaeus professional development team.
"Information will also be available on our post-registration programme.”
The open day will begin with pastries and refreshments at 8:45am.
Hospital director Daniel Hogan, himself an RVN, will then give an introduction to Southfields after which there will be a presentation about Linnaeus's referral nursing post-registration programme (PRP) and progression at the hospital.
There will then be a meet the team session with both vets and RVNs, plus a Q&A session before a lunch is provided at 12.30pm, followed by a tour of the hospital and oncology building.
To end the day, there is an optional CPD featuring bite-size nursing sessions from 2pm to 4pm.
To sign up, visit: https://southfields.co.uk/nurse-open-day.
There are 5 candidates standing for two available places on RCVS VN Council this year. They are:
The biographies and election statements for each candidate are available at https://www.rcvs.org.uk/who-we-are/vn-council/vn-council-elections/
Ahead of the start of the election in mid-March, the RCVS is asking veterinary nurses to email questions for candidates to: vnvote23@rcvs.org.uk in order to better understand them and their views.
You have until Friday 24 February 2023 to submit your question.
The voting period for RCVS VN Council opens on Monday 13th March and closes at 5pm on Friday 21 April 2023.
For the study, 21 owners were interviewed and transcripts thematically analysed.
Owners who reported positive experiences with their vets described the value of comprehensive initial explanations of their dog’s condition, seeing the same veterinary surgeon for each consult, and individual attributes of vets, including current knowledge on epilepsy management and good communication skills.
The authors say these factors are likely to contribute to improved two-way vet-owner communication, owner satisfaction and adherence to care instructions.
The implications of a negative relationship were also highlighted by the study.
Owners’ dissatisfaction with perceived insufficient expertise from their general practice vet (resulting in referrals to specialists), and when referred, poor communication between referral specialists and their primary care vet.
Owners’ pre-existing views and values were identified as drivers of negative experiences including strong dog-owner bonds leading to extremely high expectations for veterinary care.
Another factor was pre-existing distrust and perceived biases of the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
Owners who had a more negative experience with veterinary surgeons were found to be more likely to perform their own personal research, putting them at higher risk of being influenced by the large amount of misinformation online.
The authors say that vets often report that they find epilepsy challenging to manage, particularly as a high proportion of dogs do not respond sufficiently to available medications.
This study aimed to help provide a better understanding of owners’ wants and needs.
Dr Rowena Packer, Primary supervisor on this study and Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, said: “Epilepsy is a challenging condition to manage for dog owners and veterinary surgeons alike.
"Owners’ emotions often run high due to the trauma of witnessing their beloved dog’s seizure, and the ongoing stresses of caregiving for their dog.
"In tandem, vets can feel frustrated at not always being able to reduce seizures as much as they’d hope.
"Combined, the capacity for disappointment and conflict is high.
“Forging strong, trusting partnerships of care between owners and vets is key to maintaining wellbeing for all three members of the ‘treatment triangle’ – affected dogs, owners and vets."
Amy Pergande, Royal Veterinary College Veterinary graduate who conducted this research as part of her Master of Research degree, said: “Improving availability of reliable information sources for epilepsy management could help veterinary teams to confidently prescribe ’information prescriptions’ that boost owner confidence and help them to feel empowered to contribute more actively in decision-making for their dog, in partnership with their vet.”
Dr Zoe Belshaw, EBVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, of EviVet Evidence-based Medicine Research Consultancy and co-author of the study, said: “Our research suggests owners really value vets taking the time, once the initial shock has receded, to share information, answer questions and signpost to external resources, including peer-to-peer support forums.
"Ensuring that owners feel confident and competent about caring for their dog with epilepsy is likely to benefit the dog, its owners and the veterinary team providing their ongoing care”.
The BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession research found the most cited welfare issue facing exotics was ‘irresponsible animal ownership’ (82%).
Vets who treat NTCAs reported that 58% of the NTCAs they see do not have their five animal welfare needs met and 26% have seen a rise in the number brought in for treatment in the past year.
BVA Senior Vice President and zoo veterinary surgeon Justine Shotton said: “The welfare of non-traditional companion animals has long been a concern of many vets and this is demonstrated in our recent research.
"It is worrying that a quarter of vets are seeing an increase in the number brought in for treatment and sad to hear that so many cite irresponsible ownership as the top cause behind welfare issues.
"We know people who keep these animals have the right intentions to give them best care they can but their needs are so complex it can be difficult to do so, particularly if they are a new pet and owners are not sure exactly what they need.
"It is so important that potential buyers give careful consideration to buying such an animal before bringing one home.
"We’d also urge any vets who are approached by potential keepers for advice to strongly encourage them to do their research to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to care for them properly before buying an exotic species.”
BVA's new policy position calls for more regulation of online sales and third-party advertising of NTCAs and an end to the import of wild-caught reptiles and amphibians for non-conservation reasons.
BVA also recommends a pre-purchase test, both demonstrating a potential owner’s knowledge on how to properly care for an NTCA, and helping to improve education around the needs of the species.
Past BVA President and Chair of the Working Group Sean Wensley said: “The new policy position makes recommendations which will help to protect the welfare of NTCAs, including calling for improved regulation of their keeping and sale.
"It highlights issues such as the welfare risks of certain breeding practices and stresses the need to move away from the wild-capture of animals for the pet trade.
"Taken together, the 32 recommendations present a clear veterinary view on the ethical sourcing and care of these species.”
www.bva.co.uk/exoticpets
Staffies were by far the most commonly stolen animal, accounting for 25.7% of all reported dogs thefts in the UK between 2017 and 2021.
Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall had the highest number of pet thefts: 140.6 per 100,000 people.
Northumbria came second, with 61.5 pet thefts per 100,000 people, and Lancashire third (52.9 per 100,000).
On the other end of the scale, one breed that was less likely to be stolen was the pug (4.5%), although that's perhaps not surprising: after all, who'd want to steal an animal whose face you can't differentiate from its backside?
The safest animal in the country is probably an Akita (1.9%) living in Surrey (6.8 pet thefts per 100,000 people).
Full report: https://www.adt.co.uk/blog/the-adt-pet-theft-report
Vetlife says the cost of running its Helpline, Health Support, and Financial Support services for the veterinary community is forecast to exceed the £1million mark for the first time in its history, and it is heavily reliant on donations from fundraisers.
If you'd like to support the charity's work and hold a fundraiser, you can do so individually or as part of a team.
First, you're asked to decide on a goal to set yourself or your team.
This could be an overall distance, a total step count, or to be active each day.
The more adventurous can set walking, running, cycling, swimming, kayaking, rock-climbing, or horse-riding goals.
Then create a fundraising page through JustGiving, so you can share the link and spread the word about your event.
Vetlife asks that you tag the charity in any pictures you share on on social media.
Vetlife Communications Officer Eve Ritchie said: “The links between physical activity and mental health are well documented.
"Active October, is the perfect opportunity to get your friends and colleagues together to boost your wellbeing and raise some much-needed funds for our charity.”
You can buy running vests and t-shirts from Vetlife through its website.
If you have any questions about fundraising for Vetlife, email: fundraising@vetlife.org.uk.
www.vetlife.org.uk
Administered between the dog’s cheek and gum at the dose of 125 mcg/m2, dexmedetomidine is absorbed across the oral mucosa, delivering a micro-dose at approximately 1/4 of the IM dose.
It is given as soon as the dog shows signs of anxiety or fear, or when typical triggers of fear are detected by the owner.
Re-dosing of up to four times is possible with at least two hours pause between doses.
There's a new dial-to-dose syringe designed to make Sileo easier to administer, and redesigned packaging with a QR code which links to an instructional video for owners.
Emma Hancox, Veterinary Advisor at TVM, said: "Up to 50% of dogs suffer from noise anxiety, which can be extremely distressing both for pets and their owners.
"While many people associate their pet’s anxiety with occasions such as bonfire night, noise-anxiety can apply to everyday noises such as vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers and by social events or parties, which could have a much greater impact on the dog’s everyday welfare.
For more information, email help@tvm-uk.com, call 0800 0385868 visit or contact your local Territory Manager.
The International Society of Feline Medicine advises that blood pressure should be checked annually in cats aged seven years or over, but as they get older they should have their blood pressure checked every six months.
This is particularly important if cats have underlying health conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hyperthyroidism.
To support practices who want to take to their clients about feline hypertension, Ceva has produced a new feline hypertension toolkit.
The toolkit, which is available to download from www.easethepressure.co.uk/feline-hypertension-awareness-month, includes: posters, leaflets and stickers to use in practice, waiting room display materials, social media posts and email content and a communications guide.
The company will be holding a waiting room display competition to reward the most creative use of its materials, with a prize of a doppler machine for the winning practice.
Vet influencer ‘Louise the Vet’ will also be supporting the campaign by spreading the word about feline hypertension and the importance of routine blood pressure checks in cats on her social media channels.
Reference
The company developed the new version with input from veterinary surgeons, nurses and APPCC (Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria) members.
Their recommendations, which have now been incorporated into the new design, include:
The new Pet Porters will be available from leading veterinary wholesalers from May.
However, MDC says that if you want to pre-order before the end of April, an introductory 10% discount is available on its website www.mdcexports.co.uk
The new suite offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment facilities under one roof, including a linear accelerator (LINAC) which enables treatment of tumours previously considered untreatable.
Southfields has two full-time client-facing specialists in radiation oncology and two on-site, full-time double-boarded medical and radiation oncologists, along with dedicated radiotherapy technicians and therapeutic radiographers.
RCVS and European Specialist Sarah Mason, Southfield's lead in general oncology, said: “Southfields is already renowned as being the leader in cancer treatment for small animals in the UK and the opening of our dedicated oncology and radiotherapy suite takes patient care to an even higher level.”
www.southfields.co.uk
The authors are all specialist anaesthesia nurses, including an American Vet Tech Specialist (VTS) in anaesthesia and analgesia, others with the national cert in anaesthesia and analgesia, and one with a PGCert AVN in anaesthesia and analgesia.
The Veterinary Nurse's Practical Guide to Small Animal Anaesthesia discusses each part of the anaesthetic process from start to finish, including the choice of anaesthetic agents, monitoring equipment that can be used and a case study section that discusses some commonly seen patients and makes suggestions of how the RVN in practice could approach these.
The guide also discusses monitoring equipment that can be used in the peri-anaesthetic period and provides a quick reference guide at the end of each chapter that can be used in specific emergency situations.
Niamh Clancy, Anaesthesia RVN, Teaching Fellow and Deputy Co Course Director for the Certificates in Advanced Veterinary Nursing and Module Leader for Anaesthesia at the RVC, said: “Constructing this practical guide has been a labour of love for all of us.
"Since the first conception of the idea in the recovery room of the QMHA, we wanted this book to be by RVNs for RVNs and to be an essential and accessible guide for the RVN in practice.”
Perdi Welsh, Director of Veterinary Nursing, Principal Teaching Fellow and Course Director for Certificates in Advanced Veterinary Nursing and School of Veterinary Nursing at the RVC, added: “This book by our anaesthesia RVNs is built up from many years working in a highly collaborative and supportive team environment and it's great to see this team passing on their knowledge, expertise and experience to empower others in their learning.
“It's an essential read for anyone doing anaesthetics; VNs and vets in clinical practice, to help them gain confidence in being able to deal with all aspects of small animal anaesthesia.
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781119716921
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veterinary-Nurses-Practical-Animal-Anaesthesia/dp/1119716926