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Companion collection - How to...
A collection of all the ‘How to…’ articles that have been published in BSAVA’s member magazine, Companion. These articles are available FREE to BSAVA members. A third collection of our popular ‘How to’ articles from Companion (2016-2020) is available to buy from our Store.
Collection Contents
1 - 50 of 209 results
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Focus on…
Contextualized care (Part 2) Authors: Caroline Allen and Ian FutterIn the first part of this two-part series, Ian Futter and Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officers at the Scottish SPCA and the RSPCA, respectively, introduced the concept of contextualized care. In this article they explore the impact of owner factors on contextualized care and how these factors can affect the success or otherwise of prescribed veterinary treatments.
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How to…
Perform a manual platelet estimate in general practice Author Lucia SanchiniLucia Sanchini offers advice on identifying and avoiding clump formation when running an in-house haematology report.
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Focus on…
Contextualized care (Part 1) Authors: Ian Futter and Caroline AllenIan Futter and Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officers at the Scottish SPCA and the RSPCA, respectively, discuss the ‘gold standard’ approach in veterinary practice and the concept of contextualized care. In this the first of a two-part series, Ian and Caroline explain what contextualized care looks like in practice. The second article will explore owner factors which can impact the success, or otherwise, of prescribed veterinary treatments.
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How to…
Manage an ‘unwell’ hen (Part 2) Authors: Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims and John ChittyIn this third article of the ‘How to… pet poultry’ series, Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims and John Chitty cover conditions of the crop.
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Vaccination of immunocompromised pets Author Nat WhitleyNat Whitley is an internal medicine clinician at Davies Veterinary Specialists and a member of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group. In this article he provides guidance on common vaccine-related dilemmas.
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Manage pericardial effusion Authors: Natasha Wayne-Wynne and Sid SudunaguntaNatasha Wayne-Wynne and Sid Sudunagunta, from Willows Referral Hospital, provide information on pericardial effusion and how to approach the condition in practice.
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Drug review
Oclacitinib in dogs Author Richard HarveyRichard Harvey, from Willows Referral Service in Solihull, provides a review of recent studies using oclacitinib in dogs.
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Common conditions of budgies Author Sarah EddonSarah Eddon, of Burscough Vets4Pets in West Lancashire, focuses on some common diseases in budgies and how to approach, manage and prevent them.
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Approach vestibular disease Author Matt JamesMatt James, an ECVN board-eligible clinician in neurology and neurosurgery at Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, focuses on vestibular disease, one of the most commonly encountered neurological problems in dogs and cats.
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Common disease conditions in hamsters Author Ashton HollwarthThis second article, in a two-part series by Ashton Hollwarth of Great Western Exotics, provides a brief overview of a number of common disease presentations in hamsters that you may encounter and how to manage them.
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How to…
Positively influence the canine and feline gut microbiota in practice Author Silke SalavatiProfessor Silke Salavati, Head of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Service at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies takes us on a journey through the world of microbiota.
Corrected February 2024
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Supporting senior dogs and their owners Author Kate MainKate Main is a member of Dogs Trust’s Veterinary Intervention Development Team and is project lead for the Dog-Friendly Clinic Scheme, a collaborative project with the British Veterinary Behaviour Association; here she focuses on dogs in their senior years and how veterinary professionals can assist them in enjoying a rewarding quality of life during their twilight years.
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How to…
Approach the dog with nasal disease Author Mellora SharmanMellora Sharman discusses where to start with this canine presentation.
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Cholecystectomy for gallbladder mucocele in dogs Authors: Jon Hall and Alberto FiolettiJon Hall from Wear Referrals, and Alberto Fioletti focus on the clinical presentation of gallbladder mucocele and the timing of surgery, providing technical insights into performing cholecystectomy in dogs.
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How to…
Manage traumatic open wounds (Part 2) Author Erika VilledieuIn the July edition of Companion, Erika Villedieu, of Willows Referral Centre in Solihull, focused on the basics of wound healing, dressing types, composition and indications. In this second article in the two-part series she focuses on the step-by-step management of traumatic open wounds.
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How to…
Approach canine dystocia cases with more confidence Authors: Aoife Reid, Daniel Lewis and Dan O’NeillAoife Reid, Daniel Lewis and Dan O’Neill explain how to overcome some key challenges of this clinical presentation.
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High quality management of canine pruritus in the low-resource setting Authors: Susan Paterson, Bree Merritt, Peter Kukadia, Alison Thomas and Runa HanaghanThe Association of Charity Vets has coordinated this article by Susan Paterson, Bree Merritt, Peter Kukadia, Alison Thomas and Runa Hanaghan to provide a comprehensive guide to tackling this frustrating condition.
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How to…
Manage traumatic open wounds (Part 1) Author Erika VilledieuThis is the first article in a two-part series from Erika Villedieu of Willows Referral Centre in Solihull and focuses on the basics of wound healing, dressing types, composition and indications.
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How to…
How to interpret the results of an ear swab Author Anita PatelAnita Patel discusses how to interpret in-house cytology and laboratory culture and sensitivity results, using pictures, examples, and case studies of canine otitis externa to illustrate the theme.
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Patient care report
Anaesthetic management during MRI Author Ana Carina CostaAnaesthesia RVN, Ana Carina Costa, details the anaesthetic management required for an oxygen dependent dog with suspected increased intracranial pressure undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.
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How to…
Manage gastro-oesophageal reflux and regurgitation during anaesthesia Maria Chie Niimura del Barrio of Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists discusses how to prevent and manage this anaesthetic complication.
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Laryngeal disease in the cat Authors: Francesca Alsworth and Emi BarkerFrancesca Alsworth and Emi Barker of Langford Vets in Bristol take a closer look at feline laryngeal disease which can be a significant cause of respiratory distress in the cat.
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Practice management
Shared decision making in veterinary practice Author Christine MagrathIn human medicine, shared decision making is defined as a collaborative process that encourages patients and their providers to make health care decisions together, taking into account the best clinical evidence available to weigh the risks and benefits, as well as the patient’s values and preferences. Christine Magrath a clinical communication skills expert from In Communication explains what is understood about SDM in veterinary practice.
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How to…
Approach anaesthesia in the patient with a heart murmur Author Paul MacFarlanePaul MacFarlane of Langford Vets discusses the dilemma in this practical article.
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How to…
Choose an immunosuppressive treatment for immune-mediated disease Author Fergus AllertonFergus Allerton, of Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, explains the challenges of selecting an appropriate drug for patients with immune-mediated disease.
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Feline chronic gingivostomatitis Author Susan ThorneSusan Thorne of Dental Vets in East Lothian discusses this challenging oral condition.
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How to…
Increase water intake in cats and monitor success Author Zoe JacksonVeterinary nurse Zoe Jackson explores those feline conditions where increasing and promoting water intake may be beneficial. She also gives tips on how to encourage cats to drink more and explains how nurse-led hydration clinics could help monitor success.
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Focus on…
Preparing your clinic for cardiopulmonary resuscitation Author Laura JonesWe all hope we won’t need to perform CPR in the clinic; however, when needed, it is important the veterinary team is prepared. Laura Jones describes how to ensure this stressful event is handled efficiently.
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How to…
Approach hypercalcaemia in dogs Author Emi BarkerHypercalcaemia 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.
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How to…
Approach the cat with nasal discharge Author Nicki ReedNicki Reed of Veterinary Specialists Scotland discusses the approach to this challenging condition.
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Cat-friendly wards
Focus on making your ward cat friendly Author Laura JonesRemoving 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.
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How to…
Approach a dog with lung crackles Author Elodie RoelsElodie Roels, Senior Clinician in small animal internal medicine at the University of Liège, Belgium, summarizes the most common respiratory conditions associated with the presence of crackles in dogs.
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Approach a cat with alopecia Author Anita PatelAnita Patel, from Dermatology Referrals, provides information on the various presentations of hair loss in cats which will provide clues on potential differential diagnoses.
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Responsible usage of ectoparasiticides in small animal practice Authors: Martin Whitehead and Rosemary PerkinsMartin Whitehead, from Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital and Rosemary Perkins, from the University of Sussex, explore what is known, and not known, about the benefits and risks of companion animal ectoparasiticides, and what responsible, risk-based usage of these products may entail.
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How to…
Get the most out of histopathology: tumour margin assessment Author Melanie DobromylskyjThis 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.
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How to…
Get the most out of histopathology (Part 2) Author Melanie DobromylskyjIn this article, Melanie Dobromylskyj, of Finn Pathologists, takes a closer look at the pros and cons of different biopsy types from the pathologist’s point of view.
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Maintain the health and wellbeing of your team at work Author Emma StansfieldBranching 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.
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How to...
Get the most out of histopathology – Optimizing the submission to the laboratory Author Melanie DobromylskyjIn this article, Melanie Dobromylskyj of Finn Pathologists explains how to get the most out of your samples.
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How to...
Maintain your health and wellbeing at work Author Emma StansfieldEmma 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.
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How to...
Approach diagnosis in the anaemic dog (Part 2) Authors: Carla Asorey Blazquez and Ferran Valls SanchezIn part one of this series, Carla Asorey Blazquez and Ferran Valls Sanchez of Dick White Referrals discussed the causes of anaemia in dogs. In this article they describe the logical steps to making a diagnosis.
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How to...
Manage an ‘unwell’ hen (Part 1) Author Henrietta Kodilinye-SimsPrimary 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.
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How to...
Approach the rabbit with dental disease Author Elisabetta MancinelliDental disease is a common syndrome in pet rabbits and high on the differential list in any rabbit presenting with reduced appetite, anorexia or pseudo-anorexia (not eating but showing interest in food).1Elisabetta Mancinelli, of Valley Veterinary Hospital in Cardiff, provides a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and effectively managing dental disease in rabbits.
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How to...
Approach hyperglobulinaemia in cats and dogs Author Emi BarkerEmi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, discusses a systematic approach to the investigation of hyperglobulinaemia and potential differential diagnoses.
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Approach chronic diarrhoea in cats and dogs (Part 2) Author Mellora SharmanIn this the second part of a two-part series, Mellora Sharman of VetCT describes the management of chronic diarrhoea.
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How to...
Approach the diagnosis of canine anaemia (Part 1) Authors: Carla Asorey Blazquez and Ferran Valls SanchezCarla 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.
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How to...
Approach mitral valve disease in dogs Author Eoin KilkennyEoin Kilkenny, from Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, provides a summary of the 2019 ACVIM consensus guidelines applied to general practice.
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How to...
Approach chronic diarrhoea in cats and dogs (Part 1) Author Mellora SharmanIn this first part of a two-part series, Mellora Sharman of VetCT, describes a pragmatic approach to the common problem of chronic diarrhoea.
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How to...
Manage symphyseal separations and associated mandibular fractures in cats Author Matthew OxfordMatthew Oxford, of New Forest Dental Service, discusses how to approach this relatively common traumatic injury in cats.
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Screen a dog with travel history Authors: Josh Kennils and Emi BarkerWith 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.
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How to...
Choose a suture material for soft tissue surgery Author Alasdair Hotston MooreThis month, Alasdair Hotston Moore, RCVS Advanced Practitioner (Small Animal Surgery), offers his own views on good choices of suture material for different soft tissue applications (although many other opinions are available).
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