Companion collection - How to...

  Hypercalcaemia is not uncommon in sick dogs and may result in life-threatening complications. Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, takes a look at the degree of intervention required depending on the outcome of diagnostic procedures.

  Removing cats from their own environment undoubtably causes some stress. In this article, Laura Jones, from The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre, describes how to make your ward as stress free as possible.

 Anita Patel, from Dermatology Referrals, provides information on the various presentations of hair loss in cats which will provide clues on potential differential diagnoses.

  This is the third article in a three-part histopathology series by Melanie Dobromylskyj, of Finn Pathologists, and covers margin assessment, why it is important, and how the surgeon and pathologist can work together to achieve the most useful information. It looks at different forms of margin assessment for surgical samples, and their pros and cons, as well as some of the issues pathologists face when trying to assess margins from certain tumour types.

  Branching out from last month’s mental health and wellbeing article, which looked at the ways in which we can protect our own mental wellbeing at work, Emma Stansfield, from VDS Training, explores how team health and wellbeing should, and can, be supported in the workplace.

 Emma Stansfield, from VDS Training, explores how mental health and wellbeing can be maintained at work. This is the first part in a series of mental health and wellbeing articles and will focus on how individuals can help manage their own wellbeing. Read on to find out what we can, and should, do to stand the best chance of having a fulfilling and enjoyable career, where our performance and wellbeing are optimal and sustained even in the presence of challenges.

  Primary author, Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims, at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine, discusses common coelomic disorders, which can cause significant chronic pain in poultry.

 Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, discusses a systematic approach to the investigation of hyperglobulinaemia and potential differential diagnoses.

  Carla Asorey Blazquez and Ferran Valls Sanchez of Dick White Referrals explain the causes of anaemia in this, the first part of a two-part series.

  In this first part of a two-part series, Mellora Sharman of VetCT, describes a pragmatic approach to the common problem of chronic diarrhoea.

   With the incidence of travelled dogs continuing to increase, Josh Kennils and Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, offer guidance on which diseases to test for and how best to test for them.

    Toxoplasmosis is a disease of worldwide importance because it has zoonotic potential; it can also cause a spectrum of disease in cats. In this article, Stephanie Sorrell, Marina Domingues and Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore look at the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in cats.

 Isuru Gajanayake, of Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, discusses the use of nutritional therapies to manage disease in the gastrointestinal tract.

  This month, Highcroft Veterinary Referrals oncology specialist Owen Davies continues his advice on how to deal with a canine mast cell tumour, beginning with how to stage mast cell tumours.

  In this second article in a two-part series, Claire Hargrave, an ASAB certificated clinical animal behaviourist and a member of, and honorary secretary to, the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, explains how to help owners support the emotional and behavioural development of kittens and puppies.

 Helen Rooney, the Pet Blood Bank UK Training and Induction Manager, notes that the transfusion of red cell and plasma products is realistic and achievable in a general practice setting. In this article she explains the safe way of administering blood products to dogs.

 Kate Baker of the Veterinary Cytology Schoolhouse and Pocket Pathologist in Tennessee, USA presents some challenging and interesting feline cytology cases.

  There is no doubt that the standard of veterinary care and the options available for treating companion animals have increased. We live in an era where it is not unusual for animals to undergo advanced diagnostic tests and treatments that would have been unthinkable a mere decade ago. Referral to specialists in state-of-the-art facilities has become routine, but how far should we go? Anne Quain from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science considers the ethics behind this dilemma.

  Why is up-skilling in poultry medicine important? Have you buckled at the knees on seeing the word ‘chicken’ flash up on the appointment system? Rest assured – subsequent experience in the poultry industry has made clear these cases are often straightforward. Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims from the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine and co-authors Kannan Ganapathy from the University of Liverpool, and Alex Schock and David Welchman from the Animal Plant and Health Agency offer some welcome guidance.

  Yustina Shenoda and Anne Quain from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science discuss the findings of their recent study on owner’s experiences of Elizabethan collars.1

 Zoë Halfacree, Soft Tissue Surgeon at Davies Veterinary Specialists and Chair of the greener veterinary practice working group, Vet Sustain, focuses on environmental sustainability, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, plastic pollution and resource scarcity and explains what steps your practice can take to reduce your carbon footprint for a brighter, more considerate sustainable future.

   Arterial thromboembolism in cats is a distressing presentation. In this article Leo Packham and Kieran Borgeat of Langford Veterinary Services discuss the causes and treatment of this difficult condition.

 Isuru Gajanayake of Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service discusses nutritional management of this common condition.

 Matthew Green of Dovecote Veterinary Referrals discusses a challenging presentation when funds are limited.

  Fear of fireworks is a common behavioural presentation in dogs and one that is frequently presented in general veterinary practice. Sarah Heath, RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine, talks us through the challenges of fear anxiety.