October's lecture topic was, 'Senior Pet Clinics – CRD and the importance of phosphate binding', with speaker Joy Howell, DipAVN(Surg), RVN and honorary member of the BVNA. The two meetings – one in Falkirk and another in Aberdeen – were sponsored by Bayer, with a staggering total of 72 nurses attending.
Joy explained the causes of CRD and why it is so common. Kidney tissue is not regenerated and loss of function is a slow and gradual process. Currently there are no tests for early disease, but senior pet clinics may help detect subtle early signs.
Early intervention in CRD is important and increasing the client's awareness is essential. Weight checks for pets over the age of 11 should occur every six months, with blood sampling annually. As CRD cannot be reversed or cured, appropriate treatment can slow disease progression, improve quality of life and ultimately, prolong life.
Management of CRD cats has changed in recent years. Previously prescription diets concentrated on restricting protein in order to help the kidney – decreasing palatability in the process – but now diets also reduce phosphate and studies show that cats fed on a phosphate-restricted diet are surviving longer than those fed on a normal diet.
Additional therapies based on patients' needs, may include antibiotic treatment, ACE-Inhibitors, treatment for high blood pressure, potassium supplements, management of nausea and vomiting, appetite stimulation, anabolic steroids and treatment of anaemia with erythropoetin injections.
Veterinary nurses play a huge role in the management of CRD, especially as senior pet clinics can help pick up early signs, educate clients and prolong the life of our feline patients. I would like to thank Ian Stewart, Joy Howell and Bayer for sponsoring these talks and the staff at West Beancross Farm and the Palm Court Hotel.
November's meetings saw the BVNA Scottish Region head up to the north of Scotland, to the first-ever meeting in Inverness, in addition to those held in Falkirk and Aberdeen. The topic was 'Haematology in Veterinary Practice' with speaker Ronnie Barron, clinical pathology laboratory manager from the Glasgow veterinary school.
Firstly, using a computer programme and a helpful volunteer from the audience, Ronnie showed us the importance of recognition!
He emphasised that the accuracy and validity of any laboratory result is only as good as the quality of the sample submitted. Significant consequences, such as abnormalities missed or, even worse, a misdiagnosis, could occur with a poor sample. As veterinary nurses, we play a critical part in ensuring the best results.
Ronnie emphasised that preparation is the key. Have all your equipment ready, even before the patient has been handled. This minimises stress and discomfort, both of which may have effects on the sample. We must not only know which blood collection tubes we need, we should have an understanding of how each tube works.
After discussing blood tubes, Ronnie went on to discuss artefacts, such as haemolysis, icterus, lipaemia, platelet clumping and accidental contamination, and the problems that they may cause. Results from blood samples should match the clinical signs shown by the animal and the suspicions of the vet.
I would like to thank Ronnie Barron from QCR and Julia Donaldson, their Scottish rep, for the support and sponsorship. I would also like to thank all the staff at West Beancross Farm, Polmont, Ramada Jarvis, Inverness, and the Palm Court Hotel, Aberdeen, for their superb hospitality.
Author
Fiona Reid rvn mbvna Scottish Regional Co-ordinator
• VOL 25 • Nol • January 2010 • Veterinary Nursing Journal