VetPro

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:21 am

Pet Diabetes Month (November) is a new nationwide screening campaign to test the UK’s cats and dogs for diabetes. Diabetes is increasingly common in dogs over 5 years of age, cats over 8 years, overweight pets and certain breeds. Luckily, diabetes can usually be easily diagnosed using a simple urine test.

The Great Pet ‘Pee’ Test is a national initiative to test at-risk pets for diabetes.

Most UK vet practices are participating in the campaign – simply give your local practice a call to check. To join the campaign, visit a participating veterinary practice during November to pick up a free Great Pet ‘Pee’ Test information leaflet and test strip, then dip the test strip in your cat or dog’s ‘pee’ – this will give a positive or negative result.

You can then log the result anonymously. For each logged result, 10p will be donated to PDSA.

Further information on the signs of diabetes can be found www.petdiabetesmonth.co.uk

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Sun May 31, 2009 6:42 am

Don't forget to remind your clients who have limited cash and do not vaccinate their pets that they may be able to get some vouchers towards vaccination on this site for June only:

http://www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk/

Dogs and cats must be older than 18 months and not have been vaccinated for at least 18 months. Rabbits must be older than 9 months and not have been vaccinated for at least 9 months.

The scheme is sponsored by PDSA, FAB and WORLD HORSE WELFARE.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:25 pm

Here I am not trying to grab the attention towards ulcers occurring in the rodents.
My concern here is a kind of skin tumor that is actually a basal cell carcinoma.
It can affect both dogs and cats. This condition is also known by other names like Jacob’s ulcer and basal cell carcinoma.
The patients presented with such tumors mostly show lesions in the head region.
The name “rodent ulcer” perhaps comes from the belief that these are caused due to gnawing by rodents or perhaps because of the lesions’ appearance as if scraped with rodent teeth.
Although cats are the mostly affected, other animals like horse and sheep may also develop these tumors. The continuous irritation with the cat’s rough tongue is supposed to be a common aetiology of “rodent ulcers” by many veterinarians.
Although the tumors are invasive but the invasion is local and these do not undergo metastasis, so the surgical excision with or without anti-tumor therapy (according to the severity and invasion) will be an almost completely effective treatment for complete recovery.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Sun May 06, 2007 4:04 am

We use Rimadyl commonly in practice but how safe is it? Do you warn you clients about possible side affects? We know about the dangers of using rimadyl long term for cats but there is allegedly also a large problem with dosing Labrador Retrievers.
New scientific information shows that Rimadyl can cause clotting conditions such as thrombosis, ischaemia and infarctions.
There is risk of liver failure with all NSAIDs. Liver necrosis in Labrador Retrievers caused by Rimadyl have been reported in the largest numbers. The manufacturer of Rimadyl alleges these reactions are attributed to the fact that Labs are the most common breed, and Rimadyl was the first and most commonly prescribed NSAID.
All NSAIDs have the potential to cause liver failure. Blood tests before administration of NSAIDs cannot predict this liver reaction. The risk of this reaction is small (1:10,000 with Rimadyl).
NSAIDs are relatively new to veterinary medicine. Veterinarians have little clinical experience with these drugs. Although every manufacturer has data that alleges their drug is safer than the others, no credible non-manufacturer-sponsored data exists which accurately compares these drugs.
LIST OF DOS AND DONT'S WHEN USING NSAIDS:
Do Monitor kidney and liver function if patients are using NSAID over a prolonged period.
Do Give Zantac or other antacid medication daily to prevent duodenal ulcers, a common side effect of all NSAIDs. Unfortunately this will not prevent gastric ulcers.
Do Give polysulfated glucosamines (PSGAs -- Adequan, Glycoflex, or Cosequin) with prolonged use of NSAIDs for arthritis and degenerative joint disease. NSAIDs relieve pain, but unfortunately over a long period of time NSAIDs can contribute to cartilage degeneration. PSGAs help cartilage to heal. NSAIDs can cause G.I. ulceration. PSGAs are part of the protectant lining of the G.I. tract. NSAIDs are better tolerated with PSGAs. PSGAs also protect the kidney.
Do Stop the medication at the first signs of gastric upset, nausea, lack of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. Never combine NSAIDs. Do not give NSAIDs with steroids like dexamethazone, prednisolone, Vetalog or Depomedrol. Gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding can result. A 3-to-5 day withdrawal period is necessary if you switch from one drug to another.
Do not give NSAIDs in patients with known impaired gastrointestinal, kidney, cardiovascular, or coagulation functions. If liver enzymes are elevated, use only at a lowered dose, and with liver treatment medication (i.e., SAM - E)
Do not give NSAIDs with Enalapril or other ACE inhibitors, Lasix, or with nephrotoxic drugs like aminoglycoside antibiotics or psychotropic drugs (Prozac, Clomiclam).
Do not give NSAIDs in dogs with Cushing's disease or other diseases where the patient is predisposed to thromboembolisms.
Do not use NSAIDs in trauma patients or critical care patients due to potential clotting problems and nephrotoxicity.
Relief from pain by NSAIDs is an individual response. If your patient does not get adequate relief from pain and return to normal function with one NSAID, it is worth trying a different NSAID. Reactions to NSAIDs are comparable. If your patient has an adverse reaction to one NSAID, another NSAID should not be used. Another Class of pain reliever drugs should be used.
Click read more for the rest of this article:

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:38 pm

jenvetnurse writes: The Foundation was launched in 2005 to tackle one of the most worrying diseases to threaten the health of the UK’s pets.

Shocking evidence has emerged that the ‘superbug’ MRSA - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - that kills over 5,000 patients a year in British hospitals, due to lack of basic hygiene is now killing pets in the same way. Vets are being urged to clean up their surgeries and operating theatres after a heartbroken dog owner saw her beloved dog die of infection from the deadly bacteria last year.

Bella, a ten-year-old Samoyed dog is believed to be one of the first recorded cases of a dog dying of MRSA in the UK. Her owner, actress Jill Moss, 35, of Edgware, North London has launched a campaign to educate pet owners and vets about the risks to animals.

Jill Moss believes that Bella may have picked up the infection while undergoing surgery for a routine knee operation. On July 17th 2004 Bella was doing what all dogs do – chasing a squirrel, when she ruptured her cruciate ligament.

CLICK READ MORE FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE.

What are your views on tail docking?