NEWSLETTER. Diary of a Student Veterinary Nurse

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1 NEWSLETTER Spring 2019 Like us on Facebook Practice News We are very excited to introduce a new member of staff joining our team! Ioana Veterinary Surgeon Ioana Ioana graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria in 2010 where she specialised in conservation medicine. She has worked in small animal and exotics practices, as well as a field veterinarian in wildlife conservation projects in the Middle East, Europe, South America and the Caribbean. She has completed a clinical internship in Vienna and a master s degree with the University of Edinburgh. Ioana also has a strong interest in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, as well as diagnostic and emergency medicine. In her free time Ioana is an avid traveler, rock climber and motorcyclist, but also loves letting off some steam practicing MMA and playing volleyball. At home she is found cuddling with her two rescue cats, Nitrox and Spock. Please join us in welcoming her here to Newmarket. Diary of a Student Veterinary Nurse We currently have two students here at Newmarket. Amber and Alice are both studying for their Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. They are both officially enrolled with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). Being enrolled on the register is a legal requirement for our training and it now means we are recognised by the RCVS as a student and allows us to do more medically with patients. We can learn how to, under supervision, take blood from patients, microchip patients and administer second vaccinations. Our Clinical coach, Emily, trains us on how to do all these tasks and many more until we feel competent to do them ourselves. Amber I am very close to completing my Diploma and only have a couple more exams and the very nerveracking practical OSCE exams remaining. The training has flown by and I have learnt so much in practice as well as during my one day a week at college. This course involves a lot of hard work both inside and out of work and many hours a week are taken up with revision which includes reading, making flash cards and other ways which help me make Amber Alice the learning interactive and a more fun way of revising! Hopefully it will all pay off and I will pass the last few exams and look forward to becoming a fully Qualified Veterinary Nurse! Alice: I have just began my studies for the Diploma and really enjoying it so far! I have only been in practice for a few months and have learnt so much already. I have exams coming up that include topics such as health and safety, infection control, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, breeding and many more! As well as studying for exams, we also have a number of assignments to complete, which include case studies that we deal with at work. These all help with our learning as I can learn so much more about how to keep patients warm during and post anaesthetics and holistic approaches to each patient, which means treating them all as individuals. Caring for the patients is so rewarding and one of the best parts of the job is knowing we can comfort them when sick or scared and gain their trust. I hope to start seeing some of our lovely clients and patients soon, when I learn more about nursing appointments!

2 Wakey Wakey to our tortoises It s around this time of year that our hibernating tortoises are thinking about waking up. They may have gone up three months without eating or drinking, so once they are awake there are important steps to help make them get back to full strength. Here are a few tips to help: The first thing you should do is make sure your tortoise is warm, comfortable and hydrated. It is important to acclimatise them gradually over a few days to optimal temperature. If they are kept in a vivarium or tortoise table, ensure the humidity is appropriate to the species you have, with most Mediterranean species needing a drier climate. We advise using a hygrometer to monitor humidity. Ensure you have the right heat lamp and ultraviolet bulb to create the perfect atmosphere for your species of tortoise, the newer the better because after 6 months the bulb may not be as reliable at omitting a constant wavelength of light. Give them a bath in luke-warm water for about 10 mins. This helps to re-hydrate them. It is advisable to do this every day for about a week, ensuring you place them back in their warm vivarium after. Adding Reptoboost to the bath can help. Tempt feeding with bits they love to eat! We advise to stock up on Nutrobal supplement to sprinkle on your tortoises food. Nutrobal contains a variety of important vitamins and supplements, including calcium and vitamin D, which assist your tortoise in maintaining healthy bone growth and a good immune system. This can be alternated with calcium dust. Have you booked your Tortoises Post-hibernation check? If not get that MOT booked in and call us on SPECIAL OFFER We are offering through the month of April, a Health-check and faecal sampling test in-house for 45 saving you 25%!

3 Spring hazards and joys As we begin to celebrate the joys of spring we mustn t forget the potential hazards that our pets can encounter during the season. Chocolate With lots of chocolate around the house, we d like to remind pet owners, especially those with dogs, of the dangers of chocolate and the importance of keeping it out of reach. The concentration of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate. For example, cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark chocolate contain higher levels of theobromine compared to milk chocolate. The toxicity of theobromine is dose-related, meaning that the overall effect of chocolate ingestion on the dog depends on the size of the dog, the amount of chocolate eaten and the type of chocolate eaten. The symptoms of theobromine ingestion may include restlessness, excitement, hyperactivity, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased drinking and increased urination, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and possibly death. If your dog (or cat) has ingested any chocolate (even a small amount) you should contact us as soon as possible for advice. Lillies A popular plant at this time of year, these beautiful flowers are best avoided if you have a cat in the household or you are giving flowers as a gift to a cat owner. Lilies are poisonous to cats and can cause kidney failure. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and even a small exposure to the pollen can be potentially very dangerous. Contact us immediately if you suspect that your cat has come into contact with these flowers. Raisins, Sultanas, Currants and Grapes It is unknown exactly why these foods are toxic to dogs, but it has been found that some dogs develop acute kidney failure following consumption of these fruits, even from eating a small amount. HOT CROSS BUNS are popular at Easter time, so please ensure that you keep them out of reach. It is important to contact your vet straight away should you suspect that your dog might have eaten any foods containing these fruits.

4 In the garden Cocoa mulch This is often used in flowerbeds by gardeners but, as with chocolate, this contains theobromine which is poisonous to pets. Tree bark is a safer alternative. Gardening tools/equipment Keep pets away from equipment during use. All gardening tools should be returned to the shed or garage once they have finished being used, so that a pet doesn t accidentally injure itself on their sharp points and edges. Remember to check for wildlife such as hedgehogs and frogs before starting up the lawn mower or strimmer. Use a soft broom to brush through long grass and check under bushes on the edge of borders. Flowers/plants Many plants can pose a risk to pets if eaten. Some plants are more poisonous than others. You can find lists on the internet of pet-safe plants and those that are toxic and best avoided. While some pets aren t interested in nibbling plants, others are notorious for it. Puppies and kittens can be particularly prone to chewing - be sure to choose petsafe plants with these pets. Supervision is also important and fencing flower borders can help to stop dogs wandering into them. Bulbs can look especially tempting, keep them out of reach. GARDEN CHEMICALS Keep garden chemicals stored securely and out of reach of pets and children. Ensure that they are used according to label instructions and keep your pet off any treated areas. When selecting a product for purchase, and when using a product, read the label carefully as it will give clear and precise instructions regarding children and pets. POISONS Slug bait With showers and warm weather bringing out the slugs and snails, some gardeners are tempted to reach for the slug bait to protect their plants from these pests. Metaldehyde is a common ingredient of slug pellets and is extremely poisonous. Pets are attracted to the cereal based pellets and will eat them. Pets that have consumed metaldehyde may become unsteady on their feet and become twitchy, this can then progress to convulsions and respiratory failure. If you have any concerns that your pet may have consumed any slug and snail pellets, call your vet (or nearest vet to you) immediately - even if they appear well. The quicker action can be taken the more successful the outcome. The best thing for a household with pets is to avoid using these products. There are some newer slug and snail pellets available that do not contain metaldehyde. It is important to follow instructions on the packet and take precautions when using them. We would advise that if your pet was to accidentally eat them to contact your vet immediately for advice. There are alternatives to using slug pellets such as crushed egg shells, sand paper, slug pubs and copper tape/rings. Rat bait If using rodent poisons discuss their use with a professional, use pet friendly alternatives where possible and ensure that any bait is completely inaccessible to any pets. If accidental ingestion is at all expected contact your vet immediately. Not all rodenticides are the same so it is important to provide the vet with information on what was used.

5 Spring Dangers for Rabbits Knowing how to keep your rabbit safe and happy in spring can make sure you both enjoy this gorgeous time of year. As the weather warms, flies start to appear. While many are harmless some, such as the bottle fly, lay their eggs in fur. They are especially attracted to damp or soiled fur, which is most commonly found around the back end of rabbits. Damp and dirt can build up on rabbits if they are not regularly checked, if they are suffering with obesity, or if they have an incorrect diet, dental problems or wet housing. The eggs hatch into maggots which burrow into the skin, leading to shock, toxicosis and rapid death. Preventing problems Flystrike can be prevented by a combination of methods. The first is top-notch health care the happier and healthier your rabbit is, the less likely they will become afflicted with flystrike. Checking your rabbit all over daily, with special attention to their rear end, will make sure any problems are picked up fast. Any dental, tummy or dietary problems should be discussed with your vet as soon as possible. It is also possible to use sprays and liquids to prevent flystrike these either repel flies, or prevent eggs from developing into maggots. This seasonal flystrike protection is an important part of rabbit care, and should be part of the normal seasonal routine even for the healthiest of rabbits. Check out our website for further Spring hazards for your pets: Tick season is coming! In this area, we are prone to Ticks, which can lead to localised infections and irritations, as well as potentially spreading Lymes Disease. Use a preventive flea and tick treatment and have a tick remover to hand when checking your dog after each walk. If you do find one that you can t remove, then just call us and book in for a nurse clinic and a nurse will remove the tick for you. Preventative treatments At Vets4Pets we have developed a range of Complete Care Health Plans, designed to cover all those regular essentials to keep your pet in good health. These preventative treatments include annual vaccinations, regular worming and flea protection, seasonal tick protection, as well as a consultation with your vet. How to stop the Itch! Is your pet scratching at their ears or shaking their head lots? Perhaps you notice they are looking a bit red or see some discharge in or from the ear? If so, there is most likely an underlying issue that needs investigating. Most ear problems in our pets occur in the outer ear canals (the vertical canal and horizontal canal), which carry sound from the ear flap (called the pinna) to the ear drum. What can cause otitis externa? 1. Ear mites - Tiny eight-legged parasites that feed on skin debris and ear wax and thrive in warm moist conditions such as the ear canal. Signs of infection include black/brown discharge, scratching or head rubbing/shaking. 2. Foreign bodies - such as grass seeds can get stuck right down deep in the horizontal canal by the eardrum and cause severe pain and irritation. 3. Allergies - are another possibility. Healthy ears have a smooth pink lining, but a more general allergic skin condition can affect the ear canal causing it to be reddened and irritated. Cross-section of the ear canal It is really important to accurately diagnose the cause of symptoms. Left untreated, the cat or dog may scratch so much they make their ears bleed causing scabs to form. Constant shaking of the head can lead to ear haematomas where the small blood vessels break causing a large build-up of blood in the pinna. Otitis externa can also allow other bacterial or yeast infections to colonise the broken skin in the ear canal producing secondary infections, which may require further treatment. Prompt action is advisable to avoid further complications, so please call for advice! Vets4Pets Newmarket Inside Pets at Home Studland Retail Park, Oak Drive, Fordham Road, Newmarket, CB8 7SX Call us: or visit: vets4pets.com/newmarket Opening times: Mon-Fri: 9am - 8pm, Saturday: 9am - 6pm, Sunday: 10am - 4pm