Veterinary Nursing Small Animal CPD (VN)
Anna Mercer | RSFC2023
50 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Ferrets are inquisitive and playful pets but can sometimes be a little misunderstood.
This presentation will help you to gain confidence when nursing the ferret patient in practice. We will cover the follwing key learning points:
- Introduction to the ferret (including husbandry, ferrets as pets, behaviour and anatomy)
- Pre, peri and post anaesthetic considerations when nursing the ferret patient
- Common diseases of the ferret and preventative medicine
- Becoming a ferret advocate and how to make your practice ferret friendly
Abigail Edis | RSFC2023
45 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Whilst guinea pigs are also herbivorous small mammals and have similar gastrointestinal systems and similar diets to lagomorph species, they have many differences in their husbandry needs and common illnesses seen.
This presentation will talk through the common differences in caring for guinea pigs and why they are often medical mysteries when it comes to seeing them in practice.
We will also discuss some of the common presentations and the probably often underdiagnosed diseases these species are prone to developing. This will ultimately help us to educate owners more effectively and recognise signs of illness in guinea pigs when presented with one.
Key learning points:
- Understand why guinea pigs are not the same as rabbits when it comes to husbandry
- Be confident at educating owners on the husbandry and care in these species and what to watch out for when recognising signs of illness at home.
- Know what the common and sometimes underdiagnosed conditions in the species are and their typical clinical signs and treatments.
Matthew Rendle | RSFC2023
40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Dental disease is sadly still very common and causes are multifactorial and complex. It is important to review and nurse each case as an individual; being mindful of the owner’s knowledge, understanding and wishes - but the priority must be managing the individual’s welfare.
In this presentation, we will discuss aspects of how to nurse these rewarding cases well. We will cover the following key points:
- Prevention
- Assessment and diagnostics
- Treatment options and plans
- Quality of life assessments and managing owners
Jo Hinde-Megarity | RSFC2023
45 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Rabbits are the UK’s third most popular pet and as such, it is vital we know how to look after them correctly.
This presentation will cover a range of common conditions and it will cover topics such as general stabilisation, GI stasis, urinary issues, and Flystrike.
This should leave you with a greater understanding of each condition; including spotting symptoms, helping to create treatment plans and working with owners to ensure optimum husbandry and preventative healthcare is provided.
Claire Speight | RSFC2023
50 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Rabbits are a social species and studies have shown they value the company of another rabbit as much as food. Bonded rabbits will show a range of behaviours, which lone rabbits are unable to participate in.
However, they are also territorial and can cause serious injuries on each other. It is therefore imperative that rabbits are bonded carefully, following specific strategies, in order to achieve a harmonious, long-term partnership.
During the presentation we will learn:
- Why rabbits need a companion
- What makes a good pairing
- Initial bonding steps to be taken
- The bonding process, including positive and negative signs
Dr Mary Fraser | RSFC2022
30 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Nursing care plans are central to the process of planning and reviewing the care of our patients. Whilst current vet nursing care plans can be applied to exotics, the individual requirements of small mammals, birds or reptiles don’t always fit in to current models.
A review of the current literature on veterinary nursing care plans was undertaken, and a new model developed for use with exotics, incorporating a plan and checklist that highlight specific areas of relevance for exotics. It is hoped this will encourage more discussion amongst the veterinary team, about the nature of care needed when nursing exotics.
Matthew Rendle | RSFC2022
40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
With the use of case studies, we will look at all aspects of the proactive nursing care of small rodents, including preventative medicine.
1) Understanding of how to Triage and handle small mammals
2) Administration of medicines, how to do it safely
3) Safe anaesthesia of small mammals
Jo Hinde, LagoLearn | RSFC2022
50 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
With the use of case studies, we will look at all aspects of the proactive nursing care of small rodents, including preventative medicine.
1) Understanding of how to Triage and handle small mammals
2) Administration of medicines, how to do it safely
3) Safe anaesthesia of small mammals
Claire Speight, editor of Rabbiting On; the Rabbit Welfare Association’s quarterly magazine | RSFC2022
45 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
How can you make your practice rabbit friendly?
As a prey species, rabbits have different environmental, care and nursing requirements to dogs and cats – this starts in the reception and waiting area and continues through the consulting room, theatre and kennels. Reducing stress and implementing protocols to ensure that care is standardised is imperative. Learn how to advise clients on preventative health care, how to look after hospitalised rabbits and help reduce stress in your rabbit patients, whether or not they are coming in for an appointment or being admitted.
Rosie Bescoby, ASAB | RSFC2022
60 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD
Rabbits began to become domesticated only around 1,400 year ago and the domestic bunny retains the same instincts and needs as their wild counterparts. Whilst pet rabbits’ flight instinct is inhibited compared to wild rabbits, they remain a prey species and humans an apex predator. This consideration should influence how we keep domestic rabbits in terms of companionship and their home environment, as well as how owners interact with them on a daily basis and how veterinary staff handle rabbits and meeting their needs when hospitalised.