Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD Ventilation is the process of gas exchange in and out of the lungs (i.e. bringing in oxygen and flushing out carbon dioxide). The goal of assisted ventilation is to provide adequate respiratory support, which improves oxygenation and stabilizes the plane of anesthesia. What does ventilation have to do with… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: Jul 2020
When Things Go Wrong in the Feline Pancreas
Joan Capuzzi, VMD The pancreas is basically a bag of enzymes and hormones. The potent compounds it releases function as key activators needed for life. Sickness results when the pancreas becomes overzealous or, alternatively, slacks off. The active pancreas The pancreas has two functional compartments: The endocrine pancreas releases compounds into the bloodstream, and the… Continue Reading
Ear we go Again: Improve Your Otitis Diagnostics
Sarah Mouton Dowdy It’s been said that only two things are certain in this world: death and taxes. But if we’re talking about the veterinary world, that list should arguably expand to include otitis. “We know that otitis is the second most common reason dogs come into our clinics,” said Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, at… Continue Reading
Antimicrobial Stewardship: Canine and Feline Urinary Tract Infection
Monique Engelbrecht. BSc BVSc. Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road (M35), Onderstepoort, 0110. E-mail: monique.engelbrecht@up.ac.za. Internal Small Animal Medicine Resident Introduction The development of antimicrobial resistance is inevitable and poses important challenges on both human and animal health and it is clear that there is a… Continue Reading
Is it Pain or Dysphoria? How to Tell the Difference and What to do About it
Managing pain during an anaesthetic event is integral to veterinary patient care and recovery, and can be achieved via multiple modalities. Pure mu opioids, the foundation of pain management, induce a wide spectrum of positive and negative effects in animals. Aside from managing pain, positive effects of mu opioids include sedation and a sense of… Continue Reading
Vaccine Aims to Nip FIP in the Bud
Sarah Mouton Dowdy A new contender may soon be entering the ring in the fight against feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Morris Animal Foundation–funded researchers from Colorado State University (CSU) are developing an oral vaccine designed to beat the disease to the punch by targeting feline enteric coronavirus (FECV)—the highly contagious and common virus that can… Continue Reading
Tips for Setting Up a Surgical Suite
Dr. Ross Elliot (Partner) B.v.Sc M.Med Vet (Surgery) Specialist Surgeon Setting up a surgical suite is an essential part of any veterinary practice. The basic concepts for a surgical suite are the same regardless of if you want to set up a small suite in a one-man practice to an entire theatre complex in a… Continue Reading
Retrenchment in a Veterinary Practice: Implementation within a COVID-19 Economic Environment
Andrew Christie BComm (Industrial Psychology, Business Management) The Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant smothering of economic activity in South Africa has affected the veterinary profession severely. Much of the impact has been caused indirectly, by the government’s decision to ‘lockdown’ the population, and because many veterinary clients have consequently experienced severe reductions in income. This… Continue Reading
Prevent Perioperative Hypothermia by Bringing the Heat to the Surgical Suite
Sarah Mouton Dowdy Helping your patients lose their cool is a vital part of caring for them during surgery. When a patient is induced, vasodilation allows warm blood from its core to cool down as it flows through the periphery. If your patient becomes hypothermic, several body systems can be negatively affected. For example, perioperative… Continue Reading
Up Your Communication Game with Younger Clients
Many people view their pet as a member of the family, focusing intensely on their pet’s health and wellbeing, and spending a lot of money doing so. This is especially true for younger clients who may not yet have children. What veterinary practices need to keep in mind is that younger clients may not fully… Continue Reading
