Vet Times

Tag: Dogs

  • Euthanasia (part 1): caring for the client

    Euthanasia (part 1): caring for the client

    —

    by

    Euthanasia is a big part of our work as veterinarians. Working in an emergency setting, it is something I have to face on every shift. It doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times I have to do it, but I have fine-tuned my approach over the years so each euthanasia process runs as…

  • Focus on GDV, part 1: resuscitation

    Focus on GDV, part 1: resuscitation

    —

    by

    Last month we covered a bit of pathophysiology, presenting pathophysiology, presenting clinical signs and the radiographic diagnosis of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Now we cover the three things you need to do as soon as a suspected case is presented: IV fluid resuscitation decompression of the stomach pain relief Depending on the number of staff you…

  • Christmas dangers

    Christmas dangers

    —

    by

    Christmas can be a busy time for vet clinics, so here is a list of common intoxications and conditions to keep an eye out on during the festive period. Chocolate Numerous online calculators can determine whether a toxic dose has been consumed and they are a great place to start. I always perform emesis in…

  • Emesis: a thing of the past?

    Emesis: a thing of the past?

    —

    by

    Until I started researching this Tip of The Week, I did not know the medical profession has abandoned the routine use of emesis in oral poisoning. This is based on multiple medical literatures that have proven emesis induction does not influence the clinical severity of poisoning, the length of hospitalisation and the clinical outcome or…

  • All hands on deck: GDV diagnosis

    All hands on deck: GDV diagnosis

    —

    by

    Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a true veterinary emergency and while it can be daunting to be presented with a sick dog with suspected GDV, the most important thing to remember is this patient will likely succumb to this condition without your intervention. First, a little pathophysiology: GDV is a broad term that can refer to…

  • When is a dog not a dog?

    When is a dog not a dog?

    —

    by

    Every vet has their niche, speciality or personal interest. I think I’m slowly finding that mine may be located somewhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) system; as the daughter of an endoscopy nurse I like to think I’m following in the family footsteps. I was really enjoying my lectures on the topic until we reached the…

  • Maintenance fluids

    Maintenance fluids

    —

    by

    A while ago we discussed the components of a fluid therapy plan and talked about hydration deficits. This week I want to touch on maintenance fluids. Maintenance rates are typically calculated using the following formulae: ml/day = 80 × bodyweight (kg)0.75 (cats) ml/day = 132 × bodyweight (kg)0.75 (dogs) or ml/day = 30 × bodyweight…

  • Another week, another hound injury

    Another week, another hound injury

    —

    by

    The squirrels are hanging out in my garden to rest after feasting on my neighbour’s cobnut tree, which is very sweet. They only appear in the garden at this time of year to make sure they’re stocked up on the Kentish produce for the winter. This might be a nice seasonal visitation, but I now…

  • ‘Big change starts small’ – working together to improve mental well-being

    ‘Big change starts small’ – working together to improve mental well-being

    —

    by

    Much has been written about the impact of working during COVID-19 on the mental health of nursing staff. Intensive therapy unit (ITU) nurses have consistently reported a range of symptoms of PTSD, having had to manage up to four or five critically ill patients who really necessitated one on one care. Ward nurses have struggled,…

  • Vets in crisis: the perfect storm

    Vets in crisis: the perfect storm

    —

    by

    Working in veterinary at the minute is hard… We thought it was tough last year, but there always seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel (staff coming back from furlough, the vaccine rollout, etc). We hoped by now that 2020 would just seem like a bad dream. But no. If anything,…