Use and effectiveness of hand antiseptics in veterinary practice

Kate Sparksman and others, University of Bristol

Hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to reduce the risks of nosocomial infections in veterinary practices but there is evidence that this task may often be neglected in a busy clinic. The authors describe a study to assess the use of hand disinfectant products in a veterinary clinical setting. A questionnaire was sent to senior nurses at UK companion animal practices, which showed that waterless alcohol-based (67.5% of respondents) and quaternary ammonium compound-based (9.5%) products were used in the majority of practices, with most of the rest using chlorhexidine gluconate hand washes. Trials were conducted on the effectiveness of the two waterless gels given as a single application in reducing bacterial counts on the hands of theatre nurses in a neutering clinic. Their findings showed that the alcohol-based products were more effective at reducing bacterial counts than the quaternary ammonium gel but three hours later there was no difference in the contamination levels between these two treatment groups and untreated controls. There was a higher incidence of adverse skin reactions in the alcohol gel group.

Journal of Small Animal Practice 56(9), 553-559

Owner satisfaction with the results of limb amputation procedures in pet dogs

Vanna Dickerson and others, University of Georgia

Amputation of a limb is frequently recommended in veterinary practice as part of the treatment for road traffic injuries, cancer and various other conditions affecting dogs. The authors questioned the owners of 64 dogs which were treated in this way to assess their satisfaction with the outcome and their perceptions of the effect it had on the animal's quality of life. In 58 cases (91%), the owners perceived no change in their dog's attitude after amputation, 56 reported complete or near complete return to their previous quality of life and 47 reported no change in the dog's recreational activities. The results also highlight the importance of postoperative weight control in such patients.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 247(7), 786-792

Strategies for counselling pet owners on the nutritional needs of their animals

Rebecca Remillard, Veterinary Nutritional Consultations Inc., Hollister, North Carolina

With the vast range of commercial pet food products available and the changes in the marketing materials used by the manufacturers, it is often difficult for veterinary staff to keep up to date. The author offers a simplified plan to help veterinarians and veterinary nurses in dispensing advice to clients on feeding their animals. She notes that the key questions to be answered are: Does the product claim to be nutritionally complete and balanced? And could a product with a particular nutrient profile be harmful for the pet? Advice is also given on feeding raw meat or eggs, and the actions to be taken when products are recalled by the manufacturer.

Veterinary Medicine 110(9), 242-246

Management of a pet dog after exposure to a human Ebola disease patient

Jessica Spengler and others, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Atlanta, Georgia

In October 2014, the regional government in Madrid obtained a court order to euthanase a dog owned by a Spanish national who had been infected with the Ebola virus. The animal was killed inspite of widespread protests and a petition signed by 350,000 people. The authors describe the official response to an Ebola case in a US medical aid worker and their assessment of the threat posed by that person's pet dog. They describe the importance of communications between the various local and federal agencies in caring for the animal while minimising the already low risk of virus being passed on to in-contact humans.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 247 (5), 531-538

Assessment of feline plasma biochemistry results with three in-house analysers

Randolph Baral and others, Paddington Cat Hospital, Paddington, New South Wales

Manufacturers of in-house biochemistry analysers will provide standard reference intervals for each analyte to be tested but these figures do not take account of factors such as geographical population differences and the potential for differing results when using serum or plasma. The authors compare the results obtained in investigations of feline plasma biochemistry when using three makes of in-house analysers, in comparison with the gold standard of a commercial laboratory analyser Their findings suggest that less than 30% of the feline reference limits provided by the manufacturers were applicable to the population of cats sampled for this study

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 17(8), 667-679

Efficacy of preoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing cutaneous tumour removal

Nicole Karrasch and others, Ohio State University

Pre-emptive administration of analgesic agents is a major factor in controlling postoperative pain in veterinary patients undergoing surgery. The authors carried out a blinded, controlled trial of the effects of pre-emptive oral doses of carprofen or tramadol on pain scores and later analgesic requirements in dogs receiving surgical treatment for cutaneous tumours. No significant differences in pain scores were detected between the two treatment groups and those dogs given no pre-emptive analgesia, but receiving preoperative hydromorphone and rescue analgesia.

Canadian Veterinary Journal 56(8), 817-822

VOL 31 • February 2016 •  Veterinary Nursing Journal