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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
151 - 200 of 209 results
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Diagnose feline infectious peritonitis Author Kerry SimpsonKerry Simpson describes the clinical signs of feline infectious peritonitis and presents a detailed description of the methods of diagnosis.
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Approach the bleeding patient Author Ben HarrisBen Harris of Northwest Surgeons on the steps to take when confronted with a bleeding patient.
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Make your clinic ‘cat friendly’ Author Sam TaylorSam Taylor, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine, on how to make clinics more effective at dealing with cats.
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Approach the paraparetic dog Author Rita GonçalvesThe paraparetic dog – Rita Gonçalves of the Small Animal Teaching Hospital at the University of Liverpool on these difficult cases.
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Place and manage a tracheostomy tube Author Ian NicholsonA concise guide on when tracheostomy is advisable, and how to perform the procedure.
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Utilize blood gas analysis in practice Author Helen WilsonPoint-of-care blood gas analysers are becoming more commonplace but interpreting results can be daunting. Helen Wilson with a step-by-step guide.
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Manage feline uretic obstruction Authors: Nicola Kulendra and Tim CharlesworthUreteric obstruction is increasingly diagnosed in cats though diagnosis can be challenging. Presenting signs, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
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Deal with a patient with thermal burns Author Louise O’DwyerImmediate first aid and pain management considerations, a survey of the injuries, and ongoing therapies and management of patients with burns are described.
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How to read a capnography trace
Read a capnography trace Author Karen WalshCapnography is relatively simple to perform and is very useful to monitor patients under general anaesthesia. Karen Walsh explores the complex wave forms and how to interpret them.
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Approach the canine athlete Author Lowri DaviesIn equine medicine, sports injuries are an established part of the workload but this is not the case in small animal practice where disciplines like agility are relatively recent. Lowri Davies explores the needs of canine athletes.
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Utilize radiotherapy for dogs with oral tumours Author Sarah MasonRadiotherapy is an important and increasingly available treatment for neoplastic conditions in veterinary practice. Sarah Mason discusses its use for the management of canine oral tumours.
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Manage urethral obstruction in dogs Author Chris ShalesChris Shales from Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service works us through the approach to this challenging presentation
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Perform a transconjunctival enucleation Author Christine HeinrichThe equipment, resources and methodology required to perform this tricky procedure.
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Anaesthetize a bird Author Joanna HedleyAnaesthesia of birds is often viewed as high risk. Joanna Hedley of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies describes the process and how to minimize the risks involved.
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Anaesthetize a reptile Author Joanna HedleyReptiles are considered difficult to anaesthetize but with careful preparation and a good understanding of the physiology, any of the common reptiles seen in practice should be able to be anaesthetized.
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Approach the red eye Author Georgina GentGeorgina Gent on what can be the daunting task of identifying the underlying cause of ‘red eye’.
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Perform the basic neurological examination - Part 2 Authors: Jeremy Rose and Tom Harcourt-BrownPart 1 of this How to… concentrated on gathering information by observing the patient. Part 2 is about the hands-on neurological examination.
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Perform the basic neurological examination - Part 1 Authors: Jeremy Rose and Tom Harcourt-BrownThe first part of this How to… covers observation and the localization of the lesion in the neurological system.
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Interpret spinal radiographs Author Victoria DoyleSpinal radiography can be used to diagnose many osseous and some soft tissue spinal lesions. Victoria Doyle discusses the technique’s uses and limitations, and how to interpret the radiographs.
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Diagnose canine hyperadrenocorticism Author Simon TappinHyperadrenocorticism, Cushing’s syndrome, is a common canine endocrinopathy resulting from excessive cortisol production. Simon Tappin discusses the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
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Approach the dog with neck pain Author Viktor PalusNeck pain is common in dogs and can be associated with many different conditions. Causes, clinical signs diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
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Approach Horner’s syndrome Author Victoria DoyleHorner’s syndrome is a common neurological disorder affecting the eyes in both dogs and cats. Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are described.
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Approach non-healing superficial corneal ulcers Author Claudia BusseCorneal ulcers are relatively common and while most heal within days, some do not. The reasons for this and an explanation of the management of the condition are discussed.
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Recognise cutaneous markers of internal disease Author Laura BuckleyCutaneous markers of internal disease are highly specific for, or diagnostic of, particular systemic disorders. Most are uncommon, but well described. Laura Buckley summarizes the clinical presentations and diagnoses.
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Obtain optimum vascular access Author Nele van den SteenVascular access is a vital skill in small animal practice and while generally straightforward in a healthy animal it can be more challenging in very small or debilitated patients, or when long-term access is needed. Nele van den Steen describes the process.
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Approach the patient with polyuria and polydipsia Author Simon TappinAn animal that is drinking and urinating more than normal can be a diagnostic challenge with a long list of possible differential diagnoses. Simon Tappin describes the procedure.
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Perform pericardiocentesis Authors: Luca Ferasin and Heidi FerasinPreparing the patient, inserting the needle and three techniques for removing fluid from the pericardial sac following pericardial effusion are described.
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Approach chylothorax Author Alasdair Hotston MooreChylothorax is an uncommon condition in both dogs and cats and though straightforward to diagnose is challenging to treat and manage. Alasdair Hotston Moore offers his advice.
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Health screen older cats Author Sarah CaneyCats are generally living longer and that’s leading to the gradual onset of conditions that owners don’t always spot. Sarah Caney on what vets should look out for in older feline patients.
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Approach the anorexic tortoise Author John ChittyAnorexia is a common reason for tortoises presenting at veterinary practices. Poor husbandry is often the cause. John Chitty describes the signs, diagnosis and management of the condition.
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Place chest drains Author Kate MurphyA step-by-step description of when and how to place a chest drain, and the equipment needed.
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Select and collect feline blood donation Author Danielle BanksAt the time of writing there were no feline blood banks so blood has to be collected at the time of need. Danielle Banks describes the practicalities.
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Perform reliable veterinary haematology in practice Author Roger PowellPractical advice on how to maximise the performance of the practice laboratory.
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Approach the hypertensive patient Author Rosanne E. JepsonSystemic hypertension is increasingly recognized in canine and feline populations and can be damaging. Rosanne E. Jepson describes how to recognize the hypertensive patient, its affects and how it should be treated.
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Euthanase a reptile Author Kevin EatwellHigh anaerobic tolerance means it can be difficult to determine when a reptile has been appropriately euthanased. Kevin Eatwell described how to perform the procedure correctly and sympathetically.
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Pick your way through the jungle of ectoparasite treatments for dogs and cats Author Peri Lau-GillardAn expert review of the particular properties of products on offer for controlling ticks, mites and insects of veterinary importance.
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Approach a dog with pale mucous membranes Authors: Laura Holm and Kit SturgessMembrane pallor can have very different causes and therefore treatments. Laura Holm and Kit Sturgess describe how to establish the cause in the first few critical hours, and the treatment strategies to follow.
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Manage seizures Author Mark LowrieRegardless of the underlying problem the principles of managing seizures are very similar, regardless of their cause. Mark Lowrie discusses the options.
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Approach the hypercalcaemic patient Author Kirsty RoeHypercalcaemia can be an unexpected abnormality on a biochemistry profile and is a challenging presentation. Kirsty Roe describes how to approach it.
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Unravel the mystery of feline alimentary lymphoma Author Mark GoodfellowLymphoma is the most common cancer in cats and understanding of the disease and both grown and changed . Mark Goodfellow takes a fresh look at one of the most common feline lymphomas.
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Get the best from fluid therapy Author Simon TappinIV fluid therapy is essential in many cases but its use requires attention for maximum effectiveness. Simon Tappin describes why fluid therapy might be needed, how much to administer, and which fluid and administration routes to use.
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Get the best from liver samples Author Susana SilvaSusana Silva with a guide to the appropriate techniques for obtaining diagnostic liver biopsies.
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Place local anaesthetic blocks in small animals Author Nicki GrintLocal anaesthetic blocks are potentially the most effective form of analgesia for small animals but are seldom used. Nicki Grint describes how to change that.
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Utilize blood products in small animals Author Gillian GibsonGillian Gibson on how to maximize a precious resource including the production, storage, choice and administration of blood products.
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Approach the anorexic rabbit Author Richard SaundersAnorexia is very common in the rabbit and is invariably a sign of an underlying problem. Richard Saunders explores the causes.
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Record an ECG Author Nuala SummerfieldNuala Summerfield on when and how to get the most from an ECG.
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Perform rhinoscopy in the dog and cat Author Philip LhermetteThe nose is a difficult site to image or access and surgical rhinotomy is both invasive and painful. Rhinoscopy remains the gold standard and techniques for visualising lesions, taking biopsy samples and removing foreign bodies are described.
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Approach canine mammary tumours Author Gerry PoltonHistorically there has been a tendency to treat all mammary tumours as the same, resulting in local recurrence or metastasis. A logical approach to classifying the type of tumour that presents, and how to proceed accordingly are described by Gerry Polton.
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