Vet Times

Tag: Cats

  • ET tubes in cats – can you cuff it?

    ET tubes in cats – can you cuff it?

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    Is cuffing endotracheal tubes during cat anaesthesia an old wives tail, or can we CATapult some new ideas into the modern day? From day one as a veterinary nurse or vet, it is drilled into us to use uncuffed or cuffless endotracheal tubes (ET tubes) for any anaesthetics involving cats. The main reason behind this…

  • Do vets get a holiday?

    Do vets get a holiday?

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    I think the phrase “busman’s holiday” adequately describes a vet’s inability to leave work behind at work no matter how hard we try. It was on a recent holiday to Greece where this really hit home – not helped, most likely, by the fact I was on holiday with four friends who were also vets.…

  • Highlighting oesophageal foreign bodies on radiographs

    Highlighting oesophageal foreign bodies on radiographs

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    QUICK TIP: Need to know if there is an oesophageal foreign body but can’t be certain on radiographs? We have all been in the scenario where we are unsure whether there is an oesophageal foreign body on the radiographs we have just taken. You might think of using a contrast medium to help, and the…

  • Receptionists – the first port of call

    Receptionists – the first port of call

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    Whether it’s when rushing through the veterinary practice door, or via a telephone call for help, receptionists are the first line of contact when dealing with a veterinary emergency. As vets and nurses, part of our training includes first aid and emergency care. This gives us a good understanding and the confidence to deal with…

  • Avian anaesthesia

    Avian anaesthesia

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    Did you hear about the grumpy owl with an upset stomach? He had irritable owl syndrome… Birds are a case of fight-or-flight (almost literally) for staff in the veterinary practice, especially when it comes to anaesthesia. Many will avoid due to a lack of experience, uncertainty, or a fear of the patient’s delicate nature, yet…

  • Moxie’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard

    Moxie’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard

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    VN Times has recently been accepting images and details of animals where you have been part of their rescue story. I have already entered my lovely hospice foster Moxie, but I thought I would expand on her rescue journey as she has helped others along her way. Moxie was found about a year ago in…

  • Rabbit versus IV

    Rabbit versus IV

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    For small, fluffy, adorable creatures, rabbit care can actually be a huge challenge in the veterinary practice. They are seen to be more difficult and fragile than the standard cat or dog, and some of the veterinary team are unsure of the best protocol when handling and hospitalising. Rabbit anaesthetics and their recovery carry a…

  • The ubiquity of pilchards

    The ubiquity of pilchards

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    Despite saying I’m a one-cat household with my hospice foster Moxie, we have recently been sharing our household with a new friend. Moxie may be a geriatric lady, but this hasn’t stopped a large tom cat from following her through the cat flap. Billy, as he is now known, is a 6kg big-cheeked hunk, but…

  • Oh, CR*P! Using point-of-care C-reactive protein tests

    Oh, CR*P! Using point-of-care C-reactive protein tests

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    Few companies now offer affordable point-of-care tests for canine C-reactive protein (CRP). As we did when we recently received our new box of CRP slides, you might soon be asking the question: what do we even do with this stuff? Here’s what we’ve learnt… CRP is one of the acute phase proteins produced by the…

  • Managing thrombocytopenia in cats and dogs: part 2

    Managing thrombocytopenia in cats and dogs: part 2

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    Last week we discussed the causes and diagnostic pathway for investigating immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. This week we will go through the management of this condition. Despite the fact red blood cells are not actually being destroyed, a severe anaemia can develop from blood loss due to coagulopathy – a common reason for why they present to…