August 2010
Canine blood transfusions
Setting up a blood donor clinic within practice may be easier than you first
thought. In this article, Janet McGrath RVN describes blood types and selecting
a suitable blood donor, the collection and administration procedure, storage
of blood products and transfusion reactions. This article is aimed at qualified
veterinary nurses and self-test questions can be found at the end.
July 2010
IVNA Annual Congress a great success
With over 230 delegates attending the IVNA congress on a sunny May weekend,
it is fair to say this inaugural event held in the Tullamore Court Hotel was
a huge success. The congress promised an ambitious two-day dual-stream
programme catering for companion animal and equine nurses alike and the
combination of presentations, workshops and commercial exhibition delivered
quality nurse-specific continuing education.
June 2010
Pain assessment in cats and dogs
In this article, Torben Orskov BSc BVM&S MRCVS Technical and Regulatory
Affairs Manager at Animalcare Limited, explores pain assessment in cats and
dogs and describes pain scoring systems including the Glasgow Composite
Measure Pain Scale.
May 2010
Profile of a veterinary nurse
Helen Barrett Healy is a student veterinary nurse at the Donkey Sanctuary in
Liscarroll, which has provided permanent refuge to over 2,757 rescued and
unwanted donkeys since it opened in 1987.
April 2010
Nursing on the wild side
There aren’t many places that you get to hand rear a snow leopard cub or
giraffe, give physical therapy to a Sumatran tiger cub or be involved with
artificial insemination of southern white rhinos. In this article, Aisleen Greene
RVN describes her role as veterinary nurse at Dublin Zoo.
March 2010
Nursing on the wild side
There aren’t many places that you get to hand rear a snow leopard cub or
giraffe, give physical therapy to a Sumatran tiger cub or be involved with
artificial insemination of southern white rhinos. In this article, Aisleen Greene
RVN describes her role as veterinary nurse at Dublin Zoo.
February 2010
The Healthy Neonatal Foal
The first hours and the following couple of days in a foal’s life are its most vulnerable. After an average gestation period of 320-360 days, it is quickly propelled into a world of physiological independence from the dam, which means that a great many changes must occur for this transition to be successful.
January 2010
Plight of the iguana: a case report
Veterinary nurse, Susan Redden, Dip AVN Surg, describes, anaesthetic protocols for an iguana requiring surgical removal of an abcess
December 2009
Beware the unseen bugs
This month, we feature the winning entry from the Irish Veterinary Journal
veterinary nursing article competition, held in association with Janssen Animal Health. Janet McGrath, who currently lectures for the Veterinary Nursing Diploma in UCD, won the competition with her review of the importance of clinical hygiene practice for the veterinary professional
November 2009
HVN ‘How to’: administer intensive care following traumatic diaphragmatic rupture
In this, the final of three ‘How to’ articles, VN Aoife Joyce Dip AVN, describes
the intensive care required for a cat following traumatic diaphragmatic
rupture. Anaesthetic and surgery protocols for the same case were described in previous articles published in April and August 2009. These articles are aimed at qualified VNs and self-test questions are provided at the end of each article
October 2009
Handle with care 2
In this, the second of two articles focusing on small animal handling and
restraint, Ann-Marie Byrne, RVN, discusses restraining techniques that can
significantly reduce the stress of examinations
September 2009
Handle with care
In this, the fi rst of two articles focusing on small animal handling and
restraint, Ann-Marie Byrne, RVN, examines canine and feline behaviour and
describes how best to handle these patients for examination
August 2009
VN ‘How to’: treat a cat following traumatic diaphragmatic rupture
In this, the second of three ‘How to’ articles, VN Aoife Joyce Dip AVN, describes surgical protocols for a cat following traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. Anaesthetic protocols for the same case were described in the previous article published in April 2009. These articles are aimed at qualified VNs and self-test questions are provided at the end of each article
July 2009
Hydrotherapy, anyone?
VN, Aoife Joyce talks to Lynn Cogan RVN, the Royal Canin Hydrotherapy unit nurse at the University Veterinary Hospital, UCD
June 2009
Finding your feet as a locum
In this, the second of a two-part focus on the workplace, Rig Veterinary Recruitment offers advice for veterinary nurses considering working as a locum
May 2009
A career crossroads
Returning to work in veterinary practice after a prolonged absence can prove troublesome. In the fi rst of a two part focus on the workplace, Aoife Joyce, VN offers an overview of changes that have occurred in the veterinary nursing profession over the past few years
September 2008
VN: Anaesthesia protocols for a cat
In this the first, of three technical papers, veterinary nurse Aoife Joyce Dip AVN (Surgical) describes anaesthetic protocols for a cat following traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. The content is aimed at qualifi ed veterinary nurses and self-test questions are provided at the end of each article
November 2008
VN 'How to': Obtain a urine sample for urinalysis
In this, the third of four special ‘How to’ articles for vet nurses, Ann-Marie Byrne RVN uses a case study to describe the protocol for obtaining a urine sample in a cat for urinalysis, and explores the possible causes for inaccurate results from a nursing perspective. These articles are aimed at student VNs and self test multiple choice questions can be found at the end of each article.
September 2008
VN ‘How to’:Obtain a biochemistry sample
In this, the second of four special ‘How to’ articles for vet nurses, Ann-Marie Byrne RVN uses a case study to describe the protocol for obtaining a biochemistry sample in a cat, and explores the possible causes for inaccurate results from a nursing perspective. These articles are aimed at student VNs and self test multiple choice questions can be found at the end of each article.
July 2008
VN ‘How to’: Incisional wedge biopsy
In this, the first of four special ‘How to’ articles for vet nurses, Ann-Marie Byrne VN uses a case study to describe the protocol for obtaining a histopathological sample and explores the possible causes for inaccurate results from a nursing perspective. These articles are aimed at student VNs and self test multiple choice questions can be found at the end of each article.
May 2008
The growing problem of canine obesity: approaching the owner
Olga Gibbs VN, Sales Manager for Royal Canin in Ireland, looks at obesity in pets.
March 2008
The influence of nutrition on puppy and kitten growth and development
The influence of nutrition is no more apparent in cats and dogs than during pregnancy, lactation and growth. Gillian Furniss BVMS MRCVS looks at how to achieve optimal feeding of a balanced diet.
January 2008
Changes to veterinary nursing in Ireland
Melanie O’Donoghue VN, Veterinary Council of Ireland, looks at the key responsibilities of the Council in regulating veterinary nursing.
