Emergency triage for small animal veterinary nurses: a guide
As a veterinary nurse, you are often the first to evaluate an emergency patient, making your role critical to effective case management. Here’s how you can support for improved patient outcomes. Emergency triage is an essential skill that veterinary nurses must master. In the veterinary practice, the ability to effectively triage a range of cases […]
New study highlights risk factors for periodontal disease in dogs
The survey-based study found behavioural associations with periodontitis, as well as breed, age, and homecare correlations. A new large-scale study of owner-reported data has found that more than half of pet dogs are affected by periodontal disease, with age, breed, oral diagnoses, and oral care habits identified as key risk factors. Periodontal disease is one […]
New graduates: how to find the best job for you
Stepping out of vet school and into your first job is one of the most exciting, and often overwhelming, moments in your career. After years of structured learning, you’re suddenly faced with a big question: where do I start? There’s no single “perfect” first job, but there will be a role that will suit you, your […]
4 recent papers in small animal ophthalmology and how they’ll change the way you practice
Whether you’re a new graduate or a general practitioner, keeping up with the latest evidence in veterinary medicine can be hard work. This month, we’ve gathered some of the best studies published since 2023 in small animal ophthalmology, summarised them for you, and produced key takeaways so you can discover why and how they might […]
Vestibular syndrome: peripheral and central neurological signs
The main function of the vestibular system is to adapt the position of the eyes and the body with respect to the position and movement of the head. Vestibular syndrome is a disturbance of the body’s balance system. It is frequently unilateral, but it can bilaterally affect the vestibular systems. This disorder should be differentiated […]
The impact of a feline certificate on me, my patients, and my practice
I have realised a few things about myself over the years of being in GP practice – firstly, I absolutely LOVE learning in all its forms, and secondly, I really enjoy working with cats. This came as somewhat of a surprise as I distinctly remember thinking to myself in my final year of study that I would […]
5 recent papers in veterinary neurology and why they matter to GP vets
Research teams across the world publish hundreds of studies and articles each year. To help professionals keep up with the most important developments in veterinary neurology research, I’ve summarised five recent papers that could change the way you see neurological cases in veterinary practice. Paper 1: Clinical reasoning alone can lead to successful treatment in 81% of dogs with acute myelopathy or pain in T3-L3 In this […]
Diets and nutrition for cardiac disease in companion animals
Cardiac disease isn’t just about leaky valves or enlarged chambers – it’s a full-body metabolic upheaval. Chronic RAAS activation, inflammatory cytokines and wobbly energy metabolism crank up resting energy needs while suppressing appetite. The result is the dreaded cardiac cachexia, and once that starts survival time plummets (Ineson et al., 2019). So, what do you as […]
Understanding Vet Nurse CPD Requirements in Australia
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for veterinary nurses to maintain their skills, stay up-to-date with industry standards, and ensure high-quality care for animals. In Australia, CPD isn’t just recommended – it’s a professional responsibility. What is CPD? CPD refers to formal or informal learning activities that help veterinary nurses improve their knowledge, skills, and […]
How to prepare your veterinary hospital for exotic small mammals
As the popularity of exotic pets continues to increase, many general clinical veterinarians are seeing more of these unusual animals in their clinics – but how well is your clinic set up to receive them? If you are considering seeing small exotic mammals, it makes sense to ensure you have the basic tools to diagnose […]