Running nursing clinics Flashcards
Why should we monitor senior pets?
Animal health
Client bonding
increase veterinary nurse skills
benefit the practice
What will running a senior nurse clinic allow the nurse to do?
Monitor senior health issues regularly Urinalysis Blood pressure Kidney function Full clinical exam Blood sample Interpret results and increase understanding/Knowledge
How do you start a clinic?
Discuss with practice first Make a plan Advertise Start with two organisers initially Discuss costs Where is it going to be held how long are the consults which animal
How do you promote the clinic?
Post-op checks notice boards vet consults advertisement facebook client evening meetings dental/obesity clinics vaccination checks
What should be included in your clinic plan?
Lifestage targeted 7-8 years senior wellness checks common conditions hypertension degenerative joint disease managing and monitoring cats with disease
What are the common diseases in the senior cat?
Hyperthyroid Obseity Degenerative joint disease Kidney failure Hypertension Cardiac disease Dental disease Arthritis Lymphoma Diabetes Cognitive dysfunction
Why bother with a life plan?
Less than 50% of cats routinely visit the vets
Vague signs of illness
masters of disguise
changing requirements over life span
How often should the patient be seen?
7-10 years annually
10 and over bi anually
What should you include in a wellness clinic?
History-questionnaire Physical exam Weigh and condition score Urinalyisis blood pressure health recommendations (vaccinations, worm, flea, dental care, diet)
What should you ask when obtaining a history?
Any change in Appetite Urination thirst Weight/body conditon Behaviour activity and mobility Hearing or vision Breathing pattern ANY vomiting D+ constipation What is the current diet Any medication ANy supplements
What does a senior diet contain?
Decreased energy decrease fat decreased calcium and phosphorous increased fibre
What should you include in your physical exam?
Hands off Observe gait, stance, breathing Thyroid palpitation Thorax- heart pulses RR and effort Skin coat and quality Muscle mass Oral examination Condition score
What can you use to encourage increased water consumption?
Broths Multiple water bowls Water fountains Wet diet Measure water intake
what should urine be tested for?
USG urine dipstick glucose blood ketones sediment bacteriology Urine protein and creatinine ration
Why is blood pressure important to measure?
Primary hypertension
Secondary hypertension
(hyperthyroid
chronic kidney disease)
What are the effects of hypertension?
Ocular damage retinal odema retinal haemorrhage retinal detachment Neurological signs Bleeding into CNS ataxia Disorientation Seizures Coma sudden death Damage to the heat Left ventricular hypertrophy Renal damage
Two types of NIBP measurement techniques?
Oscilometric
Doppler
How should you measure blood pressure?
Find a quiet room
Low stress
allow acclimatisation
Select suitable sized cuff (measuring the width against the circumference of the leg)
width should be approx 40% of the circumference of the limb
place the cuff around the limb so it fits snugly
Damp down the cats fur distal to the accessory carpal pad with spirited swab
Apply ultrasound gel
Apply gel to the side of the doppler with crystals on
Apply probe distal to the accessory carpal pad
once comfortable turn the unit on
One pulse hear slowly inflate the cuff to approx 20mmHg where the sound of the pulse is lost
Slowly release air out of the valve until the pulse is heard again take measurement
repeat 4-5 times.
What are the systolic parameters for normal and abnormal in cats?
less than 120mmHg hypotension
120-160mmHg normal
160-180mmHg stress related
above 180mmHg hypertension
How should DJD be assessed?
Gait analysis muscle mass joint thickening range of movement pain on joint manipulation client specific outcome measures (identify behaviours that are impaired, before and after pain relief)
What performance tests should you use to assess DJD?
encourage movement in consult room
raised surfaces chairs window ledges
owner video from home
jumping on sofa climbing up stairs rising from rest response to play
