Animal Clinical Care PDF

NSCI 5705 Animal Clinical Care Sister course to NSCI5710 practical course New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology – Veterinary Nursing Assistant Learning objectives Intro to parasitology Intro to diagnostic Applied nutrition The nursing process and holistic patient care Intro to para...

NSCI 5705 Animal Clinical Care Sister course to NSCI5710 practical course New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology – Veterinary Nursing Assistant Learning objectives Intro to parasitology Intro to diagnostic Applied nutrition The nursing process and holistic patient care Intro to parasitology 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 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 Protozoa Endoparasites Tapeworms (Cestode) Roundworms (Nematode) Whipworms (Nematode) Hookworms (Nematode) Giardia Coccidia Clinical signs of endoparasite infections Dull coat Vomiting Diarrhoea Potbellied Weight loss despite a good appetite Irritation around the bottom – “scooting” Worms seen, or segments seen around the anus area Fleas Frontline Plus (fipronil and (S)-methoprene) Advantage (imidacloprid) Bravecto Spot-On (fluralaner) Comfortis Capstar Seresto Worms Drontal (praziquantel and febantel) Milbemax (milbemycin oxime and praziquantel) Profender (emodepside and praziquantel) Combination Advocate Revolution (selamectin) Broadline Diagnostics Packing a sample What information do we need? Submitter details Pet’s name Owner’s name and address Age, species, breed, sex Date of sample and time Number of samples Clinical history Site of collection Test requested What container for what test? Do: Label all specimens with animal and owner’s name Refrigerate all samples after collection and submit to the laboratory as soon as possible – except cytology smears and blood films Include an ice pack with samples when couriering to laboratory, especially in summer Ensure all samples sent to the laboratory are packaged according to IATA shipping regulations (Dangerous goods regulations) Don’t: Use a small formalin container for a large tissue (formalin volume = 10 x tissue volume) Put blood films and cytology smears in the fridge, leave at room temperature. (Gribbles, 2020) Packaging samples to go to outside lab Package samples so they will arrive in good condition and present no hazards during shipping Sample must be in a water-tight container Sample container in a sealed sample bag with sufficient absorbent material to absorb any leakage Collect a blood sample Transfer blood into an appropriate tube Make sure you label your sample with the following 1. Patient name and details 2. Date of collection 3. Clinic and vet Filling blood tubes Remove needle post collection Ratio of blood to additive is important Slowly fill blood tubes at an angle 1. Coagulation tests (sodium citrate – blue top) 2. Serum test (no additive – red tops) 3. Plasma tubes ( Heparin first biochemical markers – Green top, EDTA second complete blood cell count – purple top,) Filling out of order may lead to contaminating the blood samples with additives and lead to invalid results in major biochemical parameters. Gentle mix additive and sample. Biochemistry Complete blood cell count  Collect a free flow urine sample Known as a “voided” sample There are four key steps to remember: 1. Always wear gloves (risk of zoonoses) 2. Use a CLEAN kidney dish or similar container to collect the urine 3. Having two people can be helpful so catch samples with efficiency 4. Catch urine midstream if you can (catching at the beginning if you can skew results and may be contaminated) (Cooper et al., 2020) Collect a free flow urine sample Transfer urine into an appropriate pottle Make sure you label your sample with the following 1. Patient name and details 2. Date of collection 3. Clinic and vet 4. Type of sample (voided, cystocentesis etc.) Perform a gross urine analysis and record results Sample should be evaluated within 30 minutes of collecting Need to note the following; 1. Colour 2. Clarity 3. Odour Avoid using the term normal as this is variable between species and individuals Appearance can change as sample ages so the fresher, the more accurate your observations. (Cooper et al., 2020) URINE CLARITY Most animals' urine should be clear but can become cloudy (pictured top left) Certain species (such as rabbits) can often have cloudy/milky urine and is heavily controlled by diet Cloudy urine in other animals can be a sign of infection Flocculent urine is urine containing a lot of sediment, such as ‘calcium sludge’ Urine colours & odour Normal urine should be a shade of Colourless yellow Blue Pale yellow Urine colour can be affected by; Hydration status Brown Yellow Medication or supplements Certain diseases Urine odour increases with Reddish- brown Dark yellow concentration Bacterial presence can create an ammonia aroma Pink/red Yellow- brown Presence of ketones (possibly from diabetes or starvation) may cause a Green Greenish- yellow fruity sweet smell Perform a dipstick urinalysis test and record results Before starting make sure you are organized 1. Sample, dipsticks, gloves, and sheet ready to note results 2. Gently mix the sample 3. Use a 1ml syringe to apply a drop of urine to each square on the test strip and note the time 4. Each square has a different testing time (can range from 60 seconds to 2 minutes) 5. Record your results at the appropriate times and make sure you place any urine related materials into the hazardous waste. 6. Return sample to fridge for other tests that may be required later. (Cooper et al., 2020) Perform a specific gravity test (USG) using a refractometer and record results Always make sure the refractometer has been calibrated before starting 2-3 drops of distilled water on prism Should sit on 1.000 on SG scale If needs calibrating, use the provided screwdriver to adjust Dry prism with a lint free, dry tissue Using 2-3 drops of your sample, test and record reading for vet Clean prism and cover plate with distilled water (Cooper et al., 2020) Environmental impact of commonly used anti- parasitics Food types Commercial diets Homemade diets Therapeutic diets Client education Appropriate feeding practices Common Feeding misconceptions amounts Client Family Treat selection involvement Pet food labels Compare and Contrast 2 1 3  Pros of AAFCO: Ensuring the Safety of Pet Food: AAFCO develops and updates standards for pet food ingredients, labeling, and nutritional adequacy, which helps to ensure the safety and quality of pet food products. Establishing a Common Language: AAFCO also develops definitions for common terms used in pet food labeling, such as "chicken" or "beef," which helps to establish a common language for pet owners and manufacturers. Promoting Transparency: AAFCO requires pet food manufacturers to include a nutritional adequacy statement on their products, which provides information about the intended life stage and nutritional needs of the pet the food is formulated for. Encouraging Innovation: AAFCO's standards and guidelines provide a framework for pet food manufacturers to develop new products that meet the nutritional needs of pets. AFFCO Limitations of AAFCO: Lack of Regulatory Authority: AAFCO is not a regulatory agency and does not have the authority to enforce its standards or guidelines. It is up to individual states to enforce AAFCO's recommendations. Limited Oversight of Manufacturing Practices: AAFCO does not have the authority to regulate or monitor the manufacturing practices of pet food companies, which can lead to inconsistencies in product quality. Focus on Nutritional Adequacy, Not Quality: While AAFCO's standards and guidelines focus on nutritional adequacy, they do not address the quality or safety of individual ingredients or the manufacturing process. Limited Public Input: AAFCO's decision-making process is largely influenced by industry representatives and regulatory officials, which can limit the input of pet owners and consumer groups. Pet food labels Compare and Contrast 2 1 3  Science diets Pros of Science-Based Diets: Nutritional Adequacy: Science-based diets are formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for pets, ensuring they receive the nutrients they need for optimal health. Health Benefits: Science-based diets are designed to help manage and prevent a range of health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease. Evidence-Based: Science-based diets are formulated based on the latest research and scientific evidence, ensuring that they are safe and effective for pets. Quality Control: Science-based diets are subject to strict quality control measures, ensuring that they are made with high-quality ingredients and meet rigorous standards for safety and nutrition. Limitations of Science-Based Diets: Pet food is not regulated: Any company can claim they are a science-based diet We need to see regulation (Royal Canin, 2023) Nutrition assessment Body condition score Muscle condition score Indicators of nutritional health Coat quality Dental problems Energy levels Gastrointestinal problems Immune system function Nutrient requirement The nutritional requirement will change depending on Resting energy requirements Life stage RER = (30 x BWkg) +70(only Breed for animals 3-25kg) Injury/ Illness Physical activity Pregnancy and lactation OR RER = 70 x (BWkg)^0.75 (for patient 25k) Maintenance energy requirements Nursing Process and Holistic Care The nursing process The nursing process facilitates nursing and provides a framework on which a systematic approach of care can be made for every patient. (Brown, 2012) Assessment Evaluate Nursing care decision Provide Plan the care care The nursing process Nurse collects data about the patient's health status and identifies any potential or actual problems Assessment The evaluation stage involves A nursing decision or diagnosis differs from a assessing the effectiveness of Evaluate Nursing medical diagnosis, we are not concerned about the the nursing interventions and care decision disease but rather the interventions need to provide determining if the goals of the appropriate care. Formulated from the nursing care plan have been assessment. achieved. Provide Plan the care care The planning stage involves developing goals and interventions The implementation stage to address the patient's nursing involves carrying out the diagnosis. i.e rotate every 2-4 hours nursing interventions that were to prevent decubitus ulcers developed in the planning stage. Example They would have confirmed Ben in deaf in his leaf ear, eat only one meal per day, in the evening, and will only urinate and defecate on concrete and not on grass. All important information for Ben's hospitalisation. (BSAVA, 2021) Nursing care plan (NCP) What is a nursing care plan? A nursing care plan is a written document that outlines the nursing care that a patient requires based on their medical condition and individual needs. The Ability Model They are aspects of nursing care that ensure we cover all of a patients needs despite their diesease(s). Figure 1. The Orpet and Jeffery Ability Model (2007). Reproduced from Orpet and Welsh (2011). Nelson, D., & Welsh, P. (2015). Questions