Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary Nursing Name of the Student Institutional Affiliation Course Code and Course Name Professor Date of Submission Veterinary Procedures, Reasons, and Specialized Instruments Ovariohysterectomy Reason: To prevent unwanted pregnancies and to reduce the risk of certain diseases and behaviors. Species: Dogs and cats. Positioning: Lying with the dorsum of the body inclined. Specialized Surgical Instruments: Hemostatic forceps, spay hooks, retractors, and Mayo scissors (Naniwadekar, 2024). Cesarean Section Reason: To assist in delivering offspring when natural birth is not possible or when natural birth is dangerous to the mother or offspring. Species: Externship on all common species. Positioning: Varied based on the species. Specialized Surgical Instruments: These include surgical scissors, towel clamps, suture materials, and suction devices. Dystocia Management Reason: To help a mother deliver her baby safely in difficult or obstructed labor (Weldeyohanes & Fasseha, 2020). Species: All common species in the externship. Positioning: Varied according to the specific situation. Specialized Surgical Instruments: Obstetrical handles, link, lubricant, fetal extractor. Laparotomies Reason: Abdominal exploratory surgery to diagnose and treat various conditions. Species: Externship of all common species covered. Positioning: Recumbency on the back, dorsal. Specialized Surgical Instruments: Tissue forceps, needle holders, retractors, Scalpel. Orchiectomy (Neuter Surgery) Reason: Preventing reproduction by neutering or spaying male animals to control behavior and to reduce the risk of certain diseases. Species: Externship covers all common species. Positioning: Lying on the back (dorsal recumbency). Specialized Surgical Instruments: Hemostatic forceps, suture materials, Scalpel, testicle clamp. Orthopedic Procedures Reason: Used to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Species: Dogs and cats. Positioning: Depends on the particular treatment. Specialized Surgical Instruments: Bone plates, screws, saws, Orthopedic drills. Onychectomy (Declawing) Reason: To remove the claws of cats. Species: Dogs and cats. Positioning: Lying on the back, dorsal recumbency. Specialized Surgical Instruments: Scalpel, nail trimmers, hemostatic forceps, and suture materials. Tail Docking (Non-Cosmetic) Reason: For medical, injury, or even disease prevention reasons. Species: Dogs. Positioning: On (or in) the belly (ventral recumbency). Specialized Surgical Instruments: Hemostatic forceps, suture materials, and Scalpel. Dehorning Reason: To keep cattle and goats safe and to manage them (Maassen, 2018) Species: Cattle and goats. Positioning: It varied considerably depending upon the species and size. Specialized Surgical Instruments: Dehorning saw, dehorning spoon, dehorning paste. Types of Organ Prolapse in Veterinary Species. Rectal Prolapse Incidence: Rectal prolapse is common in many veterinary species, especially in the young or those with predisposing factors, such as diarrhea, tenesmus, or intestinal parasitism (Jeong & Kwon, 2023). Blunt rectal prolapse is common in canines, felines, and ruminants (cattle, sheep, goat), and equine and nocturnal rectal prolapse in felines. Uterine Prolapse Incidence: Veterinary species are prone to uterine prolapse; however, the incidence varies with factors like parturition difficulties, uterine atony, or trauma during parturition (Greiling et al., 2023). The common veterinary species are ruminants (cattle, sheep, goat) and equine. Caging Systems for Rabbits and Rodents Rabbits and rodents are housed in specialized caging systems in laboratory settings to prevent harm to and undue exposure to them. Usually, rabbits are kept in cages with solid floors to prevent foot injuries, though they are given space to move and in cages with hiding areas or platforms for enrichment. However, rats and mice are housed in cages with wire mesh floors for waste removal, having multiple levels or tunnels for exploration and nesting behavior (Frohlich, 2020). Since rabbits are herbivores, they are fed a high-fiber diet that includes hay, fresh vegetables, pellets, and water. Commercial rodent chow, fresh fruits, vegetables, and water are provided for rodents as omnivores. Rabbit cages may be enriched with chew toys, tunnels, and platforms; bedding materials such as hay or paper-based bedding are provided for nesting (Elsayed et al., 2024). Running wheels, tunnels, and chew toys are suitable for rodents, as are matting materials like aspen or paper-based bedding for nesting behaviors. The cages are routinely cleaned on a schedule—usually weekly or biweekly—of removing soiled bedding, using mild detergents, rinsing thoroughly, and drying completely. After washing, the cages are sanitized with approved disinfectants, e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds or bleach solutions, to destroy pathogens (Frohlich, 2020). After the animals have been sanitized, the cages are rinsed, dried, and red-bedded. Inspecting and Maintaining Anesthesia Machine The safe administration of anesthesia in veterinary settings relies on the proper inspection and maintenance of anesthesia machines and breathing systems. Verify the oxygen cylinder pressure before each use to ensure an adequate supply. Have the infusion set checked regularly and replaced if necessary. Regularly check and refill the anesthetic agent level in the vaporizer. Check the breathing circuits, hoses, and connections for problems such as leaks or blockages and correct them immediately (Mosley, 2024). Frequency of Inspection Mosley (2024) recommends daily examining hoses, valves, and filters on the entire anesthesia machine. During a weekly review, thoroughly inspect the breathing circuit components and ensure the vaporizer is tested and working correctly. Routine Maintenance The external surfaces of the machine should be regularly cleaned with a mild detergent and water and thoroughly dried. Use recommended replacement filters, regularly calibrate the vaporizer, and check pressure gauges to ensure accuracy. Schedule an internal component inspection and potential issue resolution by qualified technicians in the form of preventive maintenance (Mosley, 2024). If these practices are adhered to, they will ensure the integrity and reliability of anesthesia equipment, resulting in the safety and well-being of animal patients during the procedure. Rebreathing vs. Non-Rebreathing Anesthesia Systems: Rebreathing System In a rebreathing system, the exhaled gases are partly recycled to the patient after passing through a carbon dioxide absorbent to remove CO2. Exhaled gases are stored in a reservoir bag, part of which the patient inhales the next time. In larger animals, these rebreathing systems are favored over systems requiring high oxygen flow rates because they are less portable and bulky (Mosley & Shelby, 2018). They are used in animals where a higher oxygen flow rate is unimportant. Non-rebreathing systems are more compact and economical and waste less anesthetic gas than other non-rebreathing systems. Its drawback is that in a failing system, CO2 can be rebreathed, and an anest...