Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians

Part 1: Fluid Administration 

Question 1 

When assessing the amount of fluid in the patient’s body, whether a deficit or an excess, some vital body signs should be considered that are recorded on different parts of the body, the general appearance of a patient could provide an insight of his/her hydration status. Pale and dry mucous membranes, weak but rapid pulse, lengthened capillary refill time, and sunken eyes could indicate low hydration status. Another critical parameter is reviewing the history of the patient with the owner. This move will provide vital information on the patient’s diet, drinking habits, frequency of urination, energy levels, and frequency of bowel movements. Other information could be on the patient’s vomiting episodes. Mild dehydration of <5% displays a healthy eye, minimum loss of skin turgor, and semidry mucous membranes. Moderate dehydration of between 6-8% could exhibit dry mucous membranes, an average loss of skin turgor, enophthalmos, and weak rapid pulses. Severe dehydration between 10-12% displays severe enophthalmos, significant loss of skin turgor, completely dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, weak and thread pulses, unconsciousness (Muir et al., 2017). Dehydration of between 12-15% displays sighs of shock and possible death if not treated. 

Question 2 

The formula for calculating fluid rate is Bodyweight in-lb x percent dehydration (as a decimal) x 500 = fluid deficit in ml. Therefore, 8lbs x 0.1 x 500 = 400ml. 

Question 3 

One way to monitor fluid therapy is through regular weight checks. Intake of fluids is known to increase the body weight of the animals. Also, check the water bowls of the patient daily to note the level of the remaining water. 

Question 4 

The importance of monitoring IV fluid therapy is that excessive intake of fluids can lead to complications such as ascites, pulmonary oedema, and peripheral oedema (Cavanagh et al., 2016). The difficulties might potentially occur alongside the buildout of compartment syndrome. Remarkably, chemosis might occur, which requires immediate cessation of the therapy. 

Part 2: Emergency Care 

Question 1 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the treatment administered to an animal that is suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest to save its life. It also enhances oxygen and blood flow to the brain to support the animal’s life. This medication is usually a provisional therapy that is issued before an advance medical therapy. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation contains two mechanisms of chest compressions and rescue breathing. These two mechanisms are used together to ensure sufficient flow of oxygen to the lungs and proper flow of oxygenated blood to other essential body parts such as the brain. 

Question 2 

Before performing a CPR on the Labrador retriever, one must first ensure that the movement of the heartbeat is unordinary, and there isn’t a sufficient flow of blood. This move is performed by placing your hands on the chest of the animal to note its rise and fall. One can also check the gums; blue gums indicate insufficient oxygen flow. Performing CPR on a healthy animal could result in physical injuries (Mathis, 2019). When the movement in the chest is irregular, and a heartbeat can’t be felt, prepare to perform chest compressions. The dog should be laid on his/her side as one stands beside the dog. One palm is then placed on the dog’s ribcage, whereas the other over the ribcage. This region is where the heart is. Compressions follow by pressing down the ribcage without a notable movement of the elbows. Count one when you compress and one when you release. In one minute, one should perform 100-200 compressions. After thirty compressions, give the animal two rescue breaths. Rescue breaths are given by closing the dog’s mouth and elongating its neck, which opens the airway. Exhale as you cover the nose of the dog with your mouth until you note its chest is rising. 

Question 3 

An emergency crash cart usually contains storage sections on a set of wheels with medical supplies that are used during emergency response. Some of the crash cart items that I would use when performing CPR include laryngoscope, endotracheal tubes, tube ties, syringe for cuff inflation (Ettinger et al., 2017). Equipment for the venous includes saline flush, tape, IV catheters, T-ports, and male adapter plugs. Other items include standard medication such as atropine, epinephrine, anti-arrhythmic agents, and reversal agents. 

Part 3: Wound Management 

Question 1 

Factors that delay wound healing in animals are categorized into physical, endogenous, and exogenous factors. The primary causes would encompass both the endogenous and exogenous factors, whereas the secondary triggers would incorporate the primary aspects. Endogenous factors are ones that relate to the physical condition of the animal. Anaemia, for instance, lowers the oxygen tissues resulting in low oxygen levels. Hypoproteinemia affects the nutritional level serum protein content goes below 2g/dl, which causes malnutrition that hampers the convalescence process (Zarei & Soleimaninejad, 2018). Obesity can also decrease the supply of blood that slows down healing. Exogenous factors incorporate all external components that would inhibit the healing process. Some of these chemicals include cortisone, corticosteroids, vitamin E, excessive zinc, alkylating agents, and radiation. Environmental factors include unfavourable temperatures that offset the tensile strength of animal wounds. Pressure can affect the amount of blood flowing to the wounds inhibiting healing due to insufficient oxygen flow. 

Question 2 

One patient factor that slows down healing is obesity. The subcutaneous layers of fat have poor sutures that decrease the flow of blood (Mickelson et al., 2016). Blood flow is needed for oxygen transfer to facilitate quick healing of wounds, anything that prevents this flow slows down healing. Force is an environmental factor that tears the blood vessels inhibiting blood and oxygen flow. Compromising the oxygen levels slows down convalescence. 

Question 3 

Develop an efficient feeding schedule with the right diet can decrease obesity in animals. The animals can be protected from shear forces by having them stay indoors and only go out when atmospheric forces are optimum. 

Part 4: Veterinary Periodontics 

Question 1 

The extraoral examination of animals involves analyzing the facial symmetry of the animals. The rationale behind the extraoral test includes analyzing the palpations on the face, salivary, and lymphatic organs. The face palpations would provide an insight on fluctuant masses, whereas salivary and lymphatic palpations will disclose cases of the intraoral disease. This examination also gives external findings on alopecia, discharge, nose, skin, mouth, draining tracts (Nisha et al., 2016). Fractures could be revealed from the left and right mandibles palpations. An intraoral examination is done by opening the pet’s mouth to analyze the dentition. The examiner, with the help of an assistant, gently separates the jaws of the animal to open its mouth for analysis. The extraoral examination gives limited results. The rationale of the intraoral examination is to provide revealing and detailed results that directly checks the teeth alignment. 

Question 2 

Early stages of periodontal disease in animals could, at times, go unnoticed or ignored and may lead to severe problems if not adequately addressed. They include loss of appetite, bad breath, loose teeth, red or bleeding gums, eating difficulties, irritability, and excessive drooling. In dogs, for instance, the disease commences with gingivitis only with no attachment loss. The second stage displays attachment loss of less than 25% with early signs of periodontitis. The third stage has an attachment loss of between 25-50% with moderate periodontitis. The fourth stage displays an attachment loss higher than 50% with advanced periodontitis. All these measurements are from radiographical equipment and through the clinical attachment probing. 

Question 3 

Periodontal surgery usually aims at detaching deposits and infected tissues. It also helps to regain attachments. Apparatus for treating grade IV periodontal disease include fifteen or eleven scalpel blade, sharp curettes, periodontal elevators, tissue scissors, 7x7 tissue forceps, small needle holders, and suture scissors. These materials help to remove bacterial deposits and diseased tissues. They also restore attachments by preserving not less than 2mm of the gingiva that is attached (Oba et al., 2018). 

Question 4 

Preventive measures to avoid gum disease including taking pets for frequent oral exams, ensure the animal’s teeth are regularly brushed, the animal should be fed quality food, offer treats and toys for regularly chewing, for example, safe toys like rubber toys. I will create public awareness by creating online videos that educate the public on such measures. 

References 

Cavanagh, A. A., Sullivan, L. A., & Hansen, B. D. (2016). Retrospective evaluation of fluid overload and relationship to outcome in critically ill dogs. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 26(4), 578-586. 

Ettinger, S. J., Feldman, E. C., & Cote, E. (2017). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine-eBook. Elsevier health sciences. 

Mathis, A. (2019). Preparing and training for CPR. In Practice, 41(2), 50-56. 

Mickelson, M. A., Mans, C., & Colopy, S. A. (2016). Principles of wound management and wound healing in exotic pets. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice, 19(1), 33-53. 

Muir, W. W., Ueyama, Y., Noel-Morgan, J., Kilborne, A., & Page, J. (2017). A systematic review of the quality of IV fluid therapy in veterinary medicine. Frontiers in veterinary science, 4, 127. 

Nisha, K. J., Nandakumar, K., Shenoy, K. T., & Janam, P. (2016). Periodontal disease and Helicobacter pylori infection: a community‐based study using serology and rapid urease test. Journal of investigative and clinical dentistry, 7(1), 37-45. 

Oba, P. M., Rentas, M. F., Vendramini, T. H., & Brunetto, M. A. (2018). Nutrition as a tool to control periodontal diseases in dogs and cats. Dent, 24(4), 236-239. 

Zarei, F., & Soleimaninejad, M. (2018). Role of growth factors and biomaterials in wound healing. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology, 46(sup1), 906-911.