Animal nursing practiceThe relevance of the clinical exam

Signs and symptoms

Signs are the normal and abnormal findings the animal displays

Symptoms are how the human reports feeling-not relevant for animals

vet nurses must understand the diagnostic process

The role of the vet◦Diagnosis ◦Prognosis◦Prescription /planning

treatment

The role of the vet nurse is to respond to clear clinical signs that indicate immediate action MAY be required◦On the telephone◦Emergency first aid◦Monitoring animals◦Assessing risk of

infectious disease

The vet nurse must not…

Diagnose PrognosePrescribe treatment

Infectious conditions that require immediate response at reception

FIURDFeline enteritis/PanleucopaeniaCanine parvovirusKennel cough

Action plan to prevent disease transmission

Remove the animal and owner to separate area from other animals

Reassure the owner this is a precaution in case the animal is infectious (don’t diagnose prognose or prescribe)

Notify the vet asap Prioritise other patients and notify ownersClean up any discharges (PPE, disinfectant type

strength and contact time)Change and wash hands before handling the next

patient

Perform a role play of what you will do if a possibly infectious animal comes into reception when you are on duty.

Record the signs of the disease your patient has, treatment and prevention on a poster you will display for the rest in your stream while you are presenting your role play

Infection control and disinfectants

Prevent nosocomial infection with routine C&D

Factors that affect efficacy of disinfection◦Concentration, ◦contact time, ◦organic contamination, ◦SA (porosity etc)◦Temperature◦Soap(rinsing)◦Type and number of contaminant M/O

Selection of disinfectants

Use? Critical semi critical or non critical areasEfficacy in presence of organic matterSpectrum of actionContact timeSafety (skin, aerosols)Stability in storageSmellEconomy

Resistant organisms

Most Resistant ◦ Bacterial spores (anthrax /

tetanus)

◦ Acid fast bacteria (TB, Johnes disease)

◦ Unenveloped viruses (parvovirus, feline panleucopaenia)

-cidal or –static?Disinfectant or

antisepticSpecial

considerations eg◦ No phenols for cats◦ resistant M/O may

require inc conc or contact time

Rules and precautions

Create a pneumonic for the rules to remember when using disinfectants

Create a bumper sticker about the precautions to take when using disinfectants, to display on the cupboard door where they are stored