Parasitology - Module 5 PDF

Module 5 Parasitology Parasite control is an important part of animal husbandry. We must be able to recognize the signs of infestation, understand life cycles and have the ability to recommend suitable products to our clients depending on their needs. There is a huge variety of products available w...

Module 5 Parasitology Parasite control is an important part of animal husbandry. We must be able to recognize the signs of infestation, understand life cycles and have the ability to recommend suitable products to our clients depending on their needs. There is a huge variety of products available with varying degrees of effectiveness and it is important we are aware of what drugs are needed to treat each individual parasite we see. Different countries have different types of parasites, so be aware when you are travelling to, or working in other countries, that you will need to learn about their different ones. Product training is also a VITAL part of controlling internal and external parasites. Remember, these are all DRUGS, & drugs are toxic compounds. There are a few products that are only sold through a Vet. Why? These are often large companies that spend a lot of money researching their products & making them better for all who use them, they DO want their product to be used in the correct way, & most effective & safe manner possible. After all, it is their name on the line here. So, if we think about it, if that was our company/product, would we want qualified professional people advising clients of the right use for their situation? Or would we NOT care & let it be sold on the supermarket shelf without any advice at all Something to think about? Dig Deeper BSAVA textbook 5th edition has a great section on Elementary Parasitology read through this section for a more in-depth look at parasites. Page 150 - 171. Tick once the section is complete Definitions Parasite An organism living on or in another living organism (host) being advantageous to the parasite. Host Animal/organism on which the parasite lives Endoparasite Parasite that lives INSIDE host & are divided into Helminths and Protozoa Helminths These are worms & are subdivided into 3 types. Tapeworms, Roundworms, Flukes Protozoa Single-celled micro-organisms that can be either free-living or parasite  Ectoparasite Parasite that lives OUTSIDE host & has an exoskeleton - these are divided into Insects & Arachnids Anthelmintics Drugs that are used in the control of parasites Insect Growth Regulator Chemicals that will inhibit the life cycle growth of insects o Tick once the section is complete Ectoparasites ECTO = means outside. So these parasites live on the outside of our animals, and can often be seen with the naked eye. Insects – Adult has 3 pairs of legs & body is divided into 3 parts (head, thorax, abdomen) E.g. Fleas and Lice Arachnids – Adults had 4 pairs of legs and body is divided into 2 parts (cephalothorax and abdomen) E.g. Mites & Ticks FLEAS Fleas One flea in our environment left to its own devices can be responsible for up to 1.7 million fleas in a 2-month period (at a 23% egg viability). :0 What they do on Fleas like a humid & warm environment. the host: Bites host to feed on blood Causes itchiness Inflammation reaction happens at the site of the bite  Some animals are sensitive to the saliva of the flea – Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) or Flea Bite Hypersensitivity (FBH) Can carry TAPEWORM (intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum) Severe cases can cause anaemia Bring it all Watch : The Amazing World of Fleas - Plain and Simple (Part 1) together Else-Vet LICE Lice Biting (cats, shorter wider head) Sucking (dogs, elongated narrow head) What they do Can cause irritation, self-inflicted injury on the host: Seen in cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, rodents, birds, cattle, sheep Transmitted through close contact or contamination of grooming equipment What they look like Life cycle TICKS Ticks NZ cattle tick ONLY one found here What they do The NZ cattle tick is a three-host tick to the host: larval, nymph and adult stages All stages feed, drop off and attach as the next stage It can be the same host each time Skin irritation can be caused Anaemia in cases of severe infestations No known disease transmission in NZ Prevalence greater in certain regions Aesthetically unpleasant What they look like: MITES What they do on the Feed on skin cells, lymph, blood or feathers host: Generally host-specific but some can transfer between species Burrowing Mite Sarcoptes scabei (all species) Notoedres (cats & rabbits) Cnemidocoptes (scaley leg mite of birds) Non-burrowing Mite  Otodectes cynotis Cheyletiella Follicular Mite Demodex What they look like Life cycle o Tick once the section is complete Endoparasites Endoparasites are live inside the host. o Tapeworms (Cestode) o Roundworms (Nematode) o Whipworms (Nematode) o Hookworms (Nematode) o Giardia o Coccidia Watch What you need to know about intestinal parasites (worms) and your pet! Pet Health Network  Clinical signs of endoparasite infections o Dull coat o Vomiting o Diarrhoea o Potbellied o Weight loss despite a good appetite o Irritation around the bottom – “scooting” o Worms seen, or segments seen around the anus area Tapeworm - Cestode o Long flattened bodies o No alimentary canal but absorb food directly from host gut o Most common for cats and dogs are Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis Roundworms - Nematode o Zoonotic parasite – can cause Visceral Larva Migrans in humans o Most common seen is Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, Toxocara leonina o Look like spaghetti with tapered end o Viable eggs can live outside host for years o Live in intestine feeding (intestinal worms) Whipworms - Nematode o Worms burrow into mucosa of large intestine o Can cause bloody mucus filled diarrhoea o Eggs with infective larvae live years in environment. Hookworms - Nematode o Short fat worms with hooked heads o Can be transmitted from bitch to pups through milk o Can cause cutaneous larva migrans in humans o Parasite eggs hatch in moist warm, sandy soil o Larvae penetrate through skin to infect human host o Larvae migrate in human skin o Tick once the section is complete  Commonly used parasite controls Other parasite control - drug names ( you don't need to remember them) o Imidacloprid o Fipronil o S-metheprene o Praziquantrel o Pyrantel o Selamectin o Moxidectin o Ivermectin o Febantel o Piperazine o Mebendazole o Fenbendazole o Permethrin o + more Put it all together Read everyday parasites in companion animals (Please note: some information is the UK specific, especially that relating to ticks. NZ ticks are a different type) LINK TO ARTICLE: https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/review/article/everyday-parasites-in- companion-animals Approx. read time 20 mins Fantastic resource Animal Health - information about our products for New Zealand Consumers LINK TO WEBPAGE https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.au/animal-health/new- zealand/dogs-nz Do not have to know this for the assessment just a useful resource. o Tick once the section is complete Important note All drugs have a withholding time – This is the time between when the animal was last treated with a drug & when it is safe to be used at slaughter for meat purposes for humans to consume. Important to consider when giving information on life stock parasitic control. All drugs have environmental impacts – Attention should be paid to the ways in which pharmaceutical products used in veterinary medicine may enter our environment. You are ONLY treating the burden the animal has NOW, products do not prevent an infestation in the future. o Tick once the section is complete. Veterinary Pathology labs Veterinary Pathology labs Veterinary Pathology labs (familiarise yourself with these businesses, don't memorise the information) o Awanui Veterianry : https://awanuigroup.co.nz/services/veterinary/ o NZVP Website In house lab procedures - Intro A number of laboratory procedures can be done in a veterinary clinic, often with minimal supplies or time. They are helpful aids in the diagnostic process and provide valuable information for a veterinarian working on a patient's case. Examples of procedures that can be performed include ear cytology, faecal examination, urinalysis, total protein (TP) and packed cell volume (PCV) measurements. A large number of clinics also have in-house blood analysers, such as an Idexx or a VetScan machine. These are useful at providing biochemistry and haematological information in a very short space of time (such as for emergency cases or pre-anaesthetic testing) but do not allow for the data and samples to be evaluated by a veterinary pathologist (this happens when they are submitted to an external veterinary pathology laboratory). Diagnostic equipment selection and use for various samples How to use a microscope Every veterinary practice should be equipped with a microscope, and all veterinary nurses should become competent with its use. Basic knowledge of the precise setup of the microscope is essential for image quality and prompt results. Get familiar with the task below on how to use a microscope. Task 1 Watch Basic Microscope Setup by AtDove (5.57 mins) LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.atdove.org/video/basic- microscope-setup Dig deeper LINK TO ARTICLE: How to set up a microscope o Tick once the section is complete. What container to use? Placing samples in the wrong type of tube or container can often mean they are unsuitable for testing; below, find TWO PDF documents outlining guidelines on what containers are appropriate. Gribbles How-to Sheets Task 2 Get familiar with what container to use LINK TO ARTICLE: Which container for which test? https://moodle.unitec.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?id=768646 LINK TO ARTICLE: Which blood tube for which test? https://moodle.unitec.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?id=768645 (focus on Biochem/Haematology) o Tick once the section is complete. Blood tubes The most common tubes used in general practice are red tops, green tops and purple tops. However, you may see more tubes depending on the clinic. It is important to know what tube is required for what test as a different additive will have different effects on the blood.  (Gribbles, 2012) Task Watch Megan Brashear, CVT, VTS (ECC), discusses various blood collection tubes and what each is used for. (2.33 mins) LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.atdove.org/video/blood-collection-tubes o Tick the section once complete. Setting up a tray for blood sampling Equipment required: o Gloves o Clippers to remove hair o Clipper blade of appropriate size o Antiseptic skin preparation (chlorhexidine and alcohol) o Dry swab for post-sampling o Needle and appropriate size syringe put together. o Appropriate collection tubes o Pen to label collection tube/sticker with patient detail Handling and processing of samples including cultural considerations Storage and packing of samples Sometimes you might be unable to perform all required diagnostics in-house and have to send samples off to a veterinary pathology lab for assessment. Packing and storing samples correctly is critical to ensure diagnostics from samples are achieved. Take some time to get familiar with how to package a selection correctly and store a sample correctly if you can't send a sample to the lab on that day. Gribbles How-to Sheets Task 3 Get familiar with how to store and pack samples. LINK TO ARTICLE: How to store samples https://moodle.unitec.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?id=768650 LINK TO ARTICLE: How to package your sample https://moodle.unitec.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?id=768651 Test your knowledge: What information should be included on a lab submission form? o Tick once in-house lab procedures is complete. Cultural competence in veterinary nursing What cultural competence – “cultural competence is the willingness to understand and interact with people of different cultures, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.” Limited to no research has been performed on the importance of cultural competency in veterinary medicine. However, if we investigate the research on human patients’ cultural competence, cultural competence has been proven to improve patient compliance with treatments and improve patient outcomes (Gonçalves, M. et al. 2013). From this, it is reasonable to assume that cultural competency is a vital part of a holistic patient-centred approach to care. However, more clinical research is required in this area to understand its importance fully. So, what does that mean for us as veterinary professionals? In human medicine, research shows significant benefits resulting from culturally competent medical care but also wider community benefits as relationships are formed on mutual respect, understanding and trust. Promoting inclusion of owners and their families in health issues of pets. Some health benefits include – better-perceived care, better adherence to treatment plans, patient care disparities and few missed medical appointments (Nair, L., & Adetayo, O. A., 2019). Overall, the veterinary industry could benefit from higher cultural competency education as it would result in increased efficiency in the industry, access to different ideas and decision- making strategies and increased revenue as well as the benefits discussed above. Cultural competence in veterinary can be observed through the following examples: Using language and terms owners understand so informed consent for procedures in achieved Using language pet understand Making sure someone is present to the interpreter if a language barrier exists Respecting patients’ cultural and religious beliefs that conflict with treatment plans or handling of body tissues. Recruiting health professionals from underserved, diverse, and LGBTQ+ communities Analysing the ethnic composition demographics of owners that are currently being served at your practice. Understanding that the world is globalising, here are some tips you can do to become more culturally competent – not examinable just for interest. Learn about a new culture or ethnicity. Call people by their first names until you know their preferred pronouns and titles (Ms, Mr ect.) Encourage your colleagues to bring themselves to work. Foster an environment of mutual respect. Learning a new language can help address language gaps in veterinary care. Learn common expressions to foster a welcoming atmosphere. Try not to use veterinary jargon where possible. Part-take in a cultural competency course. Reach out to religious organisations to understand different faiths in your community. Seek out opportunities to work directly with your community. Resources are limited regarding the veterinary industry however the human industry have a number of useful resources on this topic. Think Cultural Health CLAS in Nursing launched in 2024 as a way to help human nurses improve care by understanding, respecting, and responding to a patient’s experiences, values, and beliefs.. References Gonçalves, M., Cook, B., Mulvaney-Day, N., Alegría, M., & Kinrys, G. (2013). Retention in mental health care of Portuguese-speaking patients. Transcultural Psychiatry, 50(1), 92–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461512474622 Nair, L., & Adetayo, O. A. (2019). Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open, 7(5). https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002219 Intro to laboratory diagnostic procedures Urinalysis There are a number of reasons to perform a complete urinalysis in-clinic. The main reason being that urine samples can change considerably over a relatively short period of time. “Urinalysis results can be affected by sample handling, including transportation and preparation of the specimen...the urinalysis should be performed within thirty minutes of sample collection. A delay in examination may result in the growth of contaminating bacteria, a change in pH, disruption and dissolution of fragile casts, and loss of cellular detail due to cell degeneration. Cooling of the urine sample may lead to precipitation of chemical substances that may then be observed microscopically and misinterpreted as crystals” (Chew & DiBartola, 2004). Gold standard for urine interpretation is to look at the sample as soon as it’s collected. For samples being sent to an external laboratory, there are different specimen tubes depending on what tests are being performed. A complete urinalysis includes a dip-stick (above), macroscopic and microscopic exam, and specific gravity. We will look at each of these tests individually and in order. Many of you will be routinely performing urine dip-stick reading already. However, the first step to a systematic approach to the in-clinic urinalysis is to note and record the urine colour, and turbidity – the amount of cloudiness and visible debris present. If the urine has a distinctive odour this should also be noted. As with any lab test, having standardized comments to use on the patient’s record is always recommended. Samples which appear normal should still be examined microscopically. If it is not at all possible to complete the urinalysis right away, or the sample is to be sent away, read the specific gravity in-clinic. This is the test most likely to change with time. A lab sheet should be started, indicating when and how the sample was collected and that it was refrigerated. The sample should be accurately labelled with patient first name, client last name, date and time the sample was collected, and placed in the refrigerator. Method of collection should also be noted on the lab sheet. These can stay refrigerated for up to 12 hours if absolutely necessary, but this must be noted on the lab sheet and taken in to account when interpreting the results. o Tick once the section is complete. Urine-specific gravity After the macroscopic exam, the specific gravity should be read and recorded. Urine-specific gravity is a laboratory test that measures the concentration of all chemical particles in the urine. Quality control should be performed on the clinic’s refractometer on a regular basis and recorded in the maintenance log. This can be accomplished by placing one drop of distilled water on the glass. This should read at 1.000. If it does not, this must be noted so readings can be calibrated to the difference (or if possible the refractometer itself recalibrated). If you do not have a refractometer, there are urine-specific gravity dip-sticks available, although these are not as reliable. The refractometer scale is shown below: Process for refractometer reading (Video) 1. Calbratiate your refractometer using distilled water 2. Place a drop of urine onto the glass surface of the refractometer 3. Replace the plastic cover over the sample 4. Read specific gravity from the appropriate internal scale 5. Note down results 6. Clean refractometer stage with distilled water and lint-free tissues (Kim wipes) Tick once the section is complete. Dip-stick Process for dipstick (Video) 1. Place a sample of urine into a small syringe or pipette 2. Place a drop of urine onto each colour pad on the dipstick for the allotted time 3. Compare colour change on dipstick to colour chart on dipstick packet 4. Note down results. o Tick once the section is complete. Nursing consideration Veterinary nursing has evolved from an assisting role, which mainly just involved feeding and walking animals, to one with the responsibility for the primary care for an inpatient in a veterinary hospital. Whilst all medical decisions remain the responsibility of the veterinarian, a lot more responsibility for the day to day management of the patient is now transferred to the veterinary nursing team. This important role includes all aspects of patient care, and also carrying out the veterinarian's instructions for that patient. There is much variety in nursing care, and the complexity of it depends on the individual patient case, and why the animal is in hospital. For example, a routine cat neuter requires less nursing time and effort compared to a dog with gastric ulceration and severe peritonitis (which needs include constant monitoring, medications, fluid therapy and controlled feeding via a feeding tube). Regardless, both of these cases deserve the very best in nursing care and they share core principles with respect to the care they need. When nursing a patient, consider the following: Is the animal in pain? Is the animal comfortable? Is the animal mentally stimulated enough? Is the animal able to groom itself normally? Does the animal require exercise? What type of bedding is best for the animal? Is the animal at risk of decubital sores/ulcers? Do you need to monitor the animals weight? Is the animal in pain? Pain management in animals can be a complex process. If a patient requires pain-relief medication the veterinarian will determine the best option for each individual patient's situation. However, a veterinary nurse needs to be able to confidently monitor an animal's pain level and recognise when its pain is not adequately being controlled. Pain management isn't as simple as thinking an animal is in pain because of the way it is behaving. You need to have checked all other possibilities that may account for the behaviour before jumping to the conclusion that the animal is in pain. For example, a restless dog may be restless because it is in pain, but it may also be restless because it needs to go to the toilet and doesn't want to go on its bedding. Pain management does not only involve giving drugs, the veterinary nursing team needs to consider other things that can reduce an animal's pain level where applicable such as adequately padded bedding, Remember, there is never a reason to deny an animal pain-relief, and any suspicions that an animal is in pain should be investigated, and relayed to the veterinarian immediately. Is the animal comfortable?  Patient comfort should be a prime consideration for all patients. It is easy to make sure they have a clean, warm, dry bed in their cage. Warm? Clean? Dry? Hungry/Thirsty? Urination/defecation? Litter trays, outdoor access...? Is the animal mentally stimulated enough? Consider what type of environmental enrichment might be appropriate for your patient to aid in its recovery (human company? toys? a box to hide in...) Is it a young kitten that has been dropped off for the morning while its owner is at work for a routine vaccination? How about giving it a small toy to play with rather than having it meowing at you all morning wanting attention. Is it a bouncy Border Collie that is used to being on a farm all day and living outdoors? It might not cope too well with being hospitalised- how about allowing it some time outside in a secure area or on a lead, rather than in its cage all day, with the chance to experience the normal smells and sounds of being outside, rather than those of a hospital. Is the animal able to groom itself normally It is important to remember that patients may not be able to take care of their own personal hygiene/grooming when they are unwell. The maintenance of a good standard of grooming is important for an animal's wellbeing. Being unkempt can negatively affect an animal, cats especially seem sensitive to this. If you are nursing a cat that can't eat properly, or is being syringe fed, and subsequently has food all over its face; get a washcloth and clean its face for it. The cat will be much happier afterwards. Maybe you have an adult cat in with a broken leg that has been plated. It probably can't groom itself like it normally would. Make it part of this cat's care-plan to be gently brushed at least once a day. What about an incontinent elderly dog? How about a sponge bath regularly, promptly replacing the bedding as necessary, and some skin cream to help avoid urine scalding? Does the animal require exercise? Remember that all animals require some type of exercise, and while a dog's regular 5km daily walk is unlikely to be an option while in hospital, sometimes just being outside with a chance to be walked around on a small patch of grass will help.  What type of bedding is best for the animal? Is the patient recumbent and needing to be turned regularly? Does the patient have an open oozing wound causing the bedding to become wet, and needing to be changed regularly?... Do you need to monitor the animals weight? Weighing an inpatient on a regular basis is important. It is necessary to have an accurate weight for any medications or fluid therapy they may need. Even a subtle weight change (gain or loss) may be an early indicator of a problem or a response to treatment. The frequency of weight checks will depend on the patient and their situation.  General Consideration Environment considerations are important to think about: Warmth when its cold - Use of heaters to warm rooms is important, they should be appropriately ventilated however, and general safety concerns regarding heater use are observed. Don't let the room get stuffy or too hot. Cool when its hot - Air conditioning units can be used, screened windows for ventilation and air movement are helpful too. Fans can also be used. Ventilation - Helps to limit dampness and odours (care to avoid creating unnecessary drafts). Lighting - Try to get the lighting as close to the animal's normal natural light conditions. Sunlight (Natural light) is best but there should be areas of shade to enable the animal to retreat to if necessary. Nocturnal species should have a nest box to use during the day. Beds and Bedding - These can offer the animals comfort, support, warmth, security and even can absorb fluids when required. The appropriate bedding should be provided for different species, and condition. Some species like to hide away so providing boxes or extra blankets for hiding places can be beneficial but be sure to check these regularly for soiling/wetness etc. NOTE- remember what is an appropriate environment for one species may not be appropriate for another, consider a bird compared to a lizard or a dog. You should be familiar with the requirements of the different species you encounter and nurse. Holistic care Consideration in Patient Management Nutrition assessment and requirements There are a lot of choices when it comes to pet food collection. The key to a successful nutritional assessment is evaluating each animal on an individual level. Nutritional assessments include: o Nutritional requirements o Body condition score o Muscle condition scores o Screening and evaluating home life From this, we are able to communicate nutritional recommendations based on animal and client needs. Task Read: The Dreaded Question: What should I feed my Pet? By Kara M. Burns. Link to PDF: The Dreaded Question: What Should I feed my Pet? Read time 5 mins Task Understanding pet food. (for intertest not going to be examined) Link to webpage Understanding Pet Food - AAFCO Task What in an ingredients list? (for interest not going to be examined) Link to webpage What’s in the Ingredients List? - AAFCO Activity: Now that you have an understanding of what is pet food and how to read pet food labels research three common pet food brands i.e. Pedigree, Raw Essentials and Royal Canin for example, and have a look at their ingredient list. o Tick once the section is complete Nutritional requirements The nutritional requirement will change depending on Life stage Breed Injury/ Illness Physical activity Pregnancy and lactation Task Read webpage: How to Perform a Complete Nutritional Assessment Link to webpage: https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2021-aaha-nutrition-and-weight- management-guidelines/how-to-nutritional-assessment/ Question? What is the three factors that is evaluated in a complete nutritional assessment? Approx. task time 10 mins Tick once the section is complete Body condition score (BCS) & Muscle condition scores (MCS) Body condition scoring (BCS) and muscle condition scoring (MCS) can be fantastic tool to teach owners. This skill will provide them with the ability to adjust food portions appropriately. LINK TO INFO WSAVA BCS GRAPHS: LINK TO INFO WSAVA MCS GRAPHS: Tick once the section is complete Nutritional requirement Task 5: Chapter 14: Read General considerations for feeding, Life stages for the nutrition of the dog and cat, Nutritional differences between the dog and the cat, Growing puppies and kittens, Adult, Working dogs, Senior dogs and cats, Pregnancy (Good chapter to bring all your knowledge together) Approx. read time 20 mins Following reading the above chapter try answering the following scenario before looking at the answers (found on the next page). SCENARIOS: Scenario 1: An owner of a working border collie has called your clinic seeking nutritional advice following finding out his bitch was successfully mated. The family want the dog to stop working and stay at home. What advice do you give this owner? Scenario 2: An owner calls up saying that they want to put their dog on a vegetarian diet because they're vegetarian. They have done their own research and want to make a home-made diet. What advance do you give? Raw diets, prescription diets and exotic animal nutrition Raw diets Raw food diets for pets, commonly known as raw feeding or the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), involve providing uncooked, fresh, and natural ingredients to dogs and cats. The idea behind raw diets is to mimic the ancestral diet of these animals, which consisted mainly of raw meat, bones, and other natural ingredients. Advocates believe that raw feeding offers several potential benefits for canine and feline health, though it's essential to note that opinions on this matter can vary among veterinarians and experts. Read Schlesinger. D. P & Joffe. D. J (2011). Raw food diets in companion animals: A critical review. CUJ. Vol 52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003575/ Approx time of 20 mins activty It's important to note that the potential benefits of raw food diets are not universally agreed upon, and there are potential risks associated with them. Critics raise concerns about the risk of bacterial contamination (such as Salmonella or E. coli) in raw meat and bones, the challenge of achieving a balanced diet without supplementation, and the potential for nutritional imbalances. Before transitioning any animal to a raw diet, it is crucial that a veterinarian is consulted with a to provide guidance based on the specific health needs of the individual animal. Regular veterinary check-ups and monitoring are essential to ensure that pets on a raw diet receive all the necessary nutrients for optimal health. Additional information Read: American Veterinary Medical Association (2012). Raw or Undercooked Animal- Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets. https://www.avma.org/resources- tools/avma-policies/raw-or-undercooked-animal-source-protein-cat-and-dog- diets Read: Pets and raw protein diets | AAHA. (2016). Aaha.org. LINK TO INFOGRAPHIC: https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02- guidelines/infection-control/icpb_rawmeatpdf.pdf Prescription diets Read: Nutrients of concern for diseases and select specific conditions LINK TO INFOGRAPHIC: Nutrients of Concern for Diseases and Select Specific Conditions Approx. read time 15 mins  o Tick once the section is complete Exotic animal nutrition Feeding exotic patients in a clinical veterinary setting requires careful consideration of the specific dietary needs of each species. Always ask the owner what the pet regularly eats at home and try you best to supply this is a clinical setting. Even if it is not a suitable diet changing a patient diet in hospital setting is not ideal. If you cannot supply the pet’s regular diet in the clinic, ask the client to supply it, as the familiar diet will aid recovery. Read Crouch. K. (2022). How to provide nutrition to rabbits in the critical care setting. The Veterinary Nurse. https://www-magonlinelibrary- com.libproxy.unitec.ac.nz/doi/full/10.12968/vetn.2022.13.2.90 Approx time of activity 20 mins Watch Reptile and Amphibian Nutrition by Thamas H. Boyer https://lafeber.com/vet/reptile-and-amphibian-nutrition/ Approx time of activity 1 hr Dig deeper: Useful resources: Ackerman, N. (2012). The Consulting Veterinary Nurse. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. (Available via library.unitec.ac.nz) Read: GRAINS IN PET FOODS ARE EASY TO DIGEST Approx. task time 5 mins Read: Can cats be vegan? LINK TO WEBPAGE: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/can-cats-be- vegan Approx. read time 5 mins Read Step-by-step guide for making animal nutrition recommendations - American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) & Hills Pet Nutrition. LINK TO PDF: https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/05-pet-health- resources/hills_stepbystepguide.pdf Approx. read time 30 mins Useful resources: Hill product list  LINK TO WEBPAGE: https://www.hillspet.com/products-list Useful resources: Royal Canin Website LINK TO WEBPAGE: https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/products/retail- products Tick once the page is complete References: Cooper, B etal. (2020) BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (6th ed.). Gloucester. British Small Aniaml Veterinary Association. Scenarios ANSWERS: Scenario 1: An owner of a working border collie has called your clinic seeking nutritional advice following finding out his bitch was successfully mated. The family want to dog to stop working and stay at home. What advice do you give this owner? Provide a balance and good quality food. For most of the pregnancy, it is not necessary to increase the quantity of food. Increase food by 10-15% per week for 6 weeks of pregnancy until parturition (this is the time most foetus development occurs). If she is a working dog that runs long distances i.e sheep herding she may need as much as two to three times her normal recommended adult food if not provided already. Monitoring body condition score is important we don't want to get underweight or overweight. Overweight damns can have parturition issues. Fed the largest part of the meal during rest periods to allow time for proper digestion. Use diets formulated for pregnancy and lactation needs as they have a higher calcium content. Fed small meals often in the final 2 weeks of pregnancy. Fresh drinking water should be offered at all times. Scenario 2: An owner calls up saying that they want to put their dog on a vegetarian diet because they're vegetarian. They have done their own research and want to make a home-made diet. What advice do you give? Dogs can convert vegetables protein and fats into ingredients necessary for body function. However, a vegetarian diet may not be balanced enough to maintain health in the long term. How the food is supplied, its tastes its energy content and its digestibility all need to be considered when creating a diet for dogs. Homemade diet for dogs must be balanced. Vegetables provide an excellent resource for fibre, vitamins and minerals but not amino acids. Pasta, noodles and potatoes are good sources of carbohydrates but need flavouring or the owner runs the risk of their pet not consuming their essential amino acids. The creation of homemade diets can be time-consuming to prepare. All produce must be fresh. Any uneaten food must be removed to prevent spoiled food from being ingested. Protein levels need to be correct for life stage and circumstances otherwise gut upset and diarrhoea can occur. dreaded-question_what-should-i-feed-my-pet grain-infographics proteins-infographics WSAVA BCS WSAVA MCS Nutrients of Concern for Diseases and Select Specific Conditions RER( in Kcal) for Various Body Weights (in kg) Raw food diets in companion animals: A critical review