The Consulting Veterinary Nurse (eBook)

Nicola Ackerman is Senior Medical Nurse at The Veterinary Hospital Group Ltd in Plymouth and holds a Certificate in Small Animal and Exotic Nutrition. She was the 2010 BVNA Veterinary Nurse of the Year, and the 2011 Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year.

Foreword by Helen Farrant vii

Abbreviations viii

Introduction x

Acknowledgements xi

Part I The Role of the Nurse in the Veterinary Practice
1

1 Ethics 3

2 Consulting Room and Literature 6

3 The Consultation 9

4 Diagnostic Clinics 19

5 Marketing 29

6 Named Nurse and Protocol Writing 32

Part II Nutrition and Diet 35

7 Food and Feeding 37

8 Feeding Behaviours 51

9 Nutrition for Puppies and Kittens 56

10 Nutritional Assessment 67

11 Dietary Transitions 72

12 Methods of Increasing Water Consumption 74

13 Dietary Supplements 76

14 Rabbit Nutrition 80

Part III Behavioural Issues 85

15 Puppy and Kitten Behaviour 87

16 Noise Phobias and Fireworks 100

Part IV 'Well Pet' Clinics 107

17 Vaccination Clinics 109

18 Post-Neutering Clinics 111

19 Senior Pet Clinics 113

Part V Medical Clinics 117

20 Arthritis 119

21 Cancer 129

22 Cardiac Disorders 135

23 Cognitive Dysfunction 143

24 Dental Problems 146

25 Diabetes 153

26 Epilepsy 161

27 Gastrointestinal Disorders 164

28 Hepatobiliary Disorders 176

29 Obesity 185

30 Pancreatic Disorders 196

31 Renal Disorders 202

32 Nutrition-Related Skin Disorders 211

33 Urinary Tract Disorders 218

Appendix 1 Diet history sheet 233

Appendix 2 Unit Conversion Tables 235

Glossary 238

Index 241

"This book will enable VNs to become more involved in
clinics and will ensure their skills are utilised. Certainly
a book for every VN to have in the library."
(BSAVA, 1 March 2014)

"To summarise, The Consulting Veterinary Nurse will be a
useful book for many nurses, especially those who have a keen
interest in clinical nutrition, and those looking to promote
nutrition within the practice . . . It may also offer some
suggestions for medical clinics that may not have otherwise been
considered." (The Veterinary Record, 1 October
2013)

"From handling senior pet clinics to client compliance and
education, this covers clinics organized for a range of animal
conditions and is written by an experienced senior vet nurse. Any
veterinary collection will find this filled

with specifics." (Bookwatch, 1 January
2013)

"The Consulting Veterinary Nurse' is a highly
informative, well-written book and deserves its place in the
practice library or, better still, the nurses' consultation
room." (Veterinary Record, 2 February 2013)

The Consulting Veterinary Nurse is a useful reference for
all veterinary nurses who run clinics in their practice. The
Author, Nicola Ackerman, is an experienced Registered Veterinary
Nurse and she has drawn on her knowledge to provide a comprehensive
guide, which includes information on how to run efficient and
effective well pet clinics and medical clinics. The book contains a
wealth of information on all aspects of running a clinic,
including: how to provide clients and patients with an excellent
level care; the answers to questions which clients frequently ask
in a clinic; how to gather a patient's history; carrying out
an examination and the necessary equipment for this - along with a
list of common abbreviations. Nicola also discusses the role
of the veterinary nurse and the consideration of nutritional and
behavioral issues within the setting of a veterinary nurse-lead
clinic. This book will be a useful reference for veterinary nurses
who are experienced in running clinics and those who are just
starting out, alike. - Helen Farrant on behalf of the BVNA