Table Of ContentBSAVA Manual of
BSAVA Manual of
Practical Veterinary Nursing B
S
Formerly BSAVA Manual of Veterinary Nursing A
Practical
V
Edited by Elizabeth Mullineaux and Marie Jones A
M
Veterinary
a
n
u
This new edition has been completely a
revised and updated inline with NVQ l Nursing
practical requirements and offers an o
easily accessible guide to common f
procedures and nursing skills used P
within general practice. r
a Formerly BSAVA Manual of Veterinary Nursing
The easy-to-use format of the previous c
edition has been retained and is now t
i
enhanced by full colour illustrations. c
a
An essential reference in daily use within l
practice and a useful teaching aid in the V
training of veterinary nurses. e
t
e
CONTENTS r
i
Professional responsibilities of the veterinary n
nurse; Client communication and advice; a
Practical pharmacy for veterinary nurses;
r
Managing clinical environments, equipment y
and materials; An introduction to care and
monitoring of the inpatient; The nursing process N
and nursing models; Triage and emergency u
nursing; Practical fl uid therapy; Medical
r
nursing; Practical laboratory techniques; s
Diagnostic imaging techniques; Anaesthesia
i
and analgesia; Surgical nursing; Wound n
management, dressings and bandages; Index g
Also available from BSAVA Publications
BSAVA Manual of Practical Animal Care
Edited by Paula Hotston Moore and Alan Hughes
The BSAVA Manual of Practical Animal Care has been written principally for animal
nursing assistants, veterinary care assistants and veterinary nurses beginning their
training in practice. This Manual has been designed with the Animal Nursing Assistant
syllabus in mind but is also suitable for others embarking on a career in animal care
within a veterinary practice.
BSAVA Manual of Advanced Veterinary Nursing,
2nd edition
Edited by Alasdair Hotston Moore and Suzanne Rudd
Written for qualifi ed veterinary nurses, particularly those undertaking a diploma or
degree in veterinary nursing, this Manual provides practical information for those
nursing at an advanced level.
BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pet and Wildlife Nursing Edited by
Edited by Molly Varga, Rachel Lumbis and Lucy Gott Elizabeth
This Manual provides veterinary nurses with a greater understanding of the nursing
Mullineaux and
requirements of less familiar species, enabling them to modify and apply their skills to
these cases.
Marie Jones
2221 MPVN Covers Spread.indd 1 Untitled-4 1 1158//1016//22001163 1039::1148
BSAVA Manual of
Practical Veterinary Nursing
Formerly BSAVA Manual of Veterinary Nursing
Editors:
Elizabeth Mullineaux
BVM&S CertSHP MRCVS
Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Quantock Terrace,
The Drove, Bridgewater, Somerset TA6 4BA
and
Marie Jones
BSc(Hons) DipAVN(Med) CertEd VN
College of Animal Welfare, Bolton’s Park Farm,
Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1NB
Consulting Editor – Exotics:
AJ Pearson
BA VetMB MRCVS
Cambridge Veterinary Group,
89A Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 7BS
Published by:
British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park,
Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AB
A Company Limited by Guarantee in England.
Registered Company No. 2837793.
Registered as a Charity.
Copyright © 2007 BSAVA
Reprinted 2013, 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Figures 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 8.15, 9.12, 9.13, 9.14, 9.18, 9.24, 9.35, 9.41, 9.49, 11.11, 11.12,
13.69 and 14.19–14.26 were drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk)
and are printed with her permission.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978 0 905214 91 7
e-ISBN 978 1 910443 06 4
The publishers and contributors cannot take responsibility for information provided
on dosages and methods of application of drugs mentioned in this publication.
Details of this kind must be verified by individual users from the appropriate literature.
Printed in India by Parksons Graphics
Printed on ECF paper made from sustainable forests 3122PUBS15
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Other veterinary nursing titles from BSAVA:
Manual of Advanced Veterinary Nursing
Manual of Exotic Pet and Wildlife Nursing
Manual of Practical Animal Care
Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (formerly Jones’s Animal Nursing)
Other titles in the BSAVA Manuals series:
Manual of Canine & Feline Abdominal Imaging
Manual of Canine & Feline Abdominal Surgery
Manual of Canine & Feline Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Manual of Canine & Feline Behavioural Medicine
Manual of Canine & Feline Cardiorespiratory Medicine
Manual of Canine & Feline Clinical Pathology
Manual of Canine & Feline Dentistry
Manual of Canine & Feline Dermatology
Manual of Canine & Feline Emergency and Critical Care
Manual of Canine & Feline Endocrinology
Manual of Canine & Feline Endoscopy and Endosurgery
Manual of Canine & Feline Fracture Repair and Management
Manual of Canine & Feline Gastroenterology
Manual of Canine & Feline Haematology and Transfusion Medicine
Manual of Canine & Feline Head, Neck and Thoracic Surgery
Manual of Canine & Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders
Manual of Canine & Feline Musculoskeletal Imaging
Manual of Canine & Feline Nephrology and Urology
Manual of Canine & Feline Neurology
Manual of Canine & Feline Oncology
Manual of Canine & Feline Ophthalmology
Manual of Canine & Feline Radiography and Radiology: A Foundation Manual
Manual of Canine & Feline Rehabilitation, Supportive and Palliative Care: Case Studies in
Patient Management
Manual of Canine & Feline Reproduction and Neonatology
Manual of Canine & Feline Surgical Principles: A Foundation Manual
Manual of Canine & Feline Thoracic Imaging
Manual of Canine & Feline Ultrasonography
Manual of Canine & Feline Wound Management and Reconstruction
Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual
Manual of Exotic Pets: A Foundation Manual
Manual of Feline Practice: A Foundation Manual
Manual of Ornamental Fish
Manual of Psittacine Birds
Manual of Rabbit Medicine
Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging
Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds
Manual of Reptiles
Manual of Rodents and Ferrets
Manual of Small Animal Practice Management and Development
Manual of Wildlife Casualties
For further information on these and all BSAVA publications, please visit our website: www.bsava.com
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Contents
List of contributors v
Foreword vii
Preface viii
1 Professional responsibilities of the veterinary nurse 1
Maggie Shilcock
2 Client communication and advice 10
Laura Nicholls, Maggie Shilcock, Sarah Heath and Freda Scott-Park
3 Practical pharmacy for veterinary nurses 53
Heather Roberts and Sally Anne Argyle
4 Managing clinical environments, equipment and materials 76
Sue Dallas, Marie Jones and Elizabeth Mullineaux
5 An introduction to care and monitoring of the inpatient 86
Sue Dallas
6 The nursing process and nursing models 95
Carole Davis
7 Triage and emergency nursing 105
Belinda Andrews-Jones and Amanda Boag
8 Practical fluid therapy 127
Paula Hotston Moore
9 Medical nursing 140
Rachel Lumbis
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10 Practical laboratory techniques 205
Clare Knottenbelt
11 Diagnostic imaging techniques 229
Anne Ward and John Prior
12 Anaesthesia and analgesia 268
Garry Stanway† and Annaliese Magee
13 Surgical nursing 315
Karen Scott and Alasdair Hotston Moore
14 Wound management, dressings and bandages 371
Clare Bryant and Dominic Phillips
Index 399
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Contributors
Belinda Andrews-Jones VTS (ECC) DipAVN(Surg) VN
Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane,
North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA
Sally Anne Argyle MVB PhD CertSAC EBVC MRCVS
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG
Amanda Boag MA VetMB DipACVIM DipACVECC FHEA MRCVS
Lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science,
Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA
Clare Bryant CertEd VN
Deputy Programme Leader, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Animal Welfare,
1 Summerhall Square, Edinburgh EH9 1QH
Sue Dallas CertEd VN
Walford and North Shropshire College, Baschurch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Carole Davis RGN BA(Hons) MSc PGCert(HE)
School of Arts & Education, Middlesex University, Trent Park, Bramley Road, London N14 4YZ
Sarah Heath BVSc DipECVBM MRCVS
Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice, 11 Cotebrook Drive, Upton, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1RA
Alasdair Hotston Moore MA VetMB CertSAC CertVR CertSAS MRCVS
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford,
Bristol BS40 5DU
Paula Hotston Moore CertEd VN
University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU
Marie Jones BSc(Hons) DipAVN(Med) CertEd VN
College of Animal Welfare, Bolton’s Park Farm, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar EN6 1NB
Clare M Knottenbelt BVSc MSc DSAM MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Internal Medicine, Division of Companion Animal Sciences,
University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH
Rachel Lumbis BSc(Hons) VN
College of Animal Welfare, Royal Veterinary College, Bolton’s Park Farm, Hawkshead Road,
Potters Bar EN6 1NB
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Annaliese Magee DipAVN(Surg) VN
Stainland, Halifax
Elizabeth Mullineaux BVM&S CertSHP MRCVS
Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Quantock Terrace, The Drove, Bridgwater TA6 4BA
Laura Nicholls VN
Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Quantock Terrace, The Drove, Bridgwater TA6 4BA
Dominic SM Phillips BVM&S BSc MBA MRCVS
Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Quantock Terrace, The Drove, Bridgwater TA6 4BA
John Prior VetMB MA CertSAO MRCVS
Suffolk
Heather Roberts BSc(Hons) VN
Mypetstop Pet Resort & Care Centre, Topcliffe Close, Capitol Park, Tingley WF3 1BU
Karen Scott DipAVN(Surg) VN
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, 1 Summerhall Square, Edinburgh EH9 1QH
Freda Scott-Park BVM&S PhD MRCVS
Portnellan Trian, Gartocharn, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire G83 8NL
Maggie Shilcock BSc PGDipLib CMS
The Old Rectory, Anmer PE31 6RN
Garry Stanway† BVSc CertVA MSc MRCVS
Anne Ward BSc DipAVN(Surg) VN
Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies,
College of Animal Welfare, 1 Summerhall Square, Edinburgh EH9 1QH
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Foreword
Veterinary nursing has developed considerably since BSAVA first published
the ‘little green book’ Practical Veterinary Nursing edited by Colin Price in
1985. At that time the original RANAs (Royal Animal Nursing Auxilliaries) wore
dresses and starched aprons, and nurses in training were trainee veterinary
nurses. RANAs are now VNs, trainees are student veterinary nurses, and both
now wear more suitable uniforms. Training and textbooks have mirrored these
changes. The BSAVA recognized the changes and accepted the challenge to
produce not one but three books for ancilliary staff – two books for student
nurses (BSAVA Manual of Veterinary Care and BSAVA Manual of Veterinary
Nursing) and one written especially for qualified veterinary nurses and those
working towards further qualification (BSAVA Manual of Advanced Veterinary
Nursing). Being considerably involved in veterinary nurse education and
having worked with BSAVA on the concept of the three book series, I was
privileged to act as Series Editor. I found the project extremely rewarding and
enjoyed overseeing all three books. The series has laid the pathway for this
new edition.
The BSAVA Manual of Practical Veterinary Nursing returns to the original
title but has developed the themes first introduced in the BSAVA Manual of
Veterinary Nursing. This new edition is a welcome development, progressing
the concepts of the first edition but placing more emphasis on practical
aspects. It is intended that this new edition should become the practical
companion to the BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing and relate more
directly to the S/NVQ occupational standards.
As with all new editions of BSAVA Manuals there is significant revision and
extension to cover new developments. The tables and illustrations, along
with the numerous colour photographs, make this book a useful resource for
everyone in the practice as well as an excellent study guide for the student
veterinary nurse. Above all, this is a practical guide for the veterinary care
team of the twentyfirst century.
Gillian Simpson BVM&S MRCVS
June 2007
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Preface
The profession of veterinary nursing is moving forward with strength and
confidence. Veterinary practice has changed dramatically over the years, not
only in technical advances but also in the way veterinary nurses are employed.
In years past, veterinary nurses were largely underused; today veterinary
nurses have become an indispensable part of the veterinary care team and true
professionals in their own right. The number and diversity of skills required
of veterinary nurses has greatly expanded since the previous edition of this
manual. Therefore the need for a new BSAVA Manual, which can be used
by qualified and student veterinary nurses to meet today’s requirements in
veterinary practice.
This Manual offers a practical and easily accessible guide to common procedures
and nursing skills used within general practice. It represents an effort to collect
the broad scope of information required by veterinary nurses to satisfy the
practical Occupational Standards of veterinary nurse training, while the BSAVA
Textbook of Veterinary Nursing provides the more theoretical components.
The Manual also aims to provide additional information for the newly qualified
veterinary nurse in his/her first few years in a modern practice.
The Manual updates core chapters in the previous edition, whilst adding new
stand-alone chapters on Fluid therapy and Wounds and bandaging. There is
increased information on the care and treatment of exotic pets. Also new for
this addition is a chapter on Nursing models, which introduces the reader to
the concepts of this subject and shows how standard human nursing models
can be adapted to construct care plans for veterinary patients.
We would like to thank our group of authors for sharing their expertise, clinical
experience and hard work in getting this Manual to print. Also a huge thankyou
goes to BSAVA for making the Manual possible.
It is our hope that this new edition will become an essential reference in daily
use within practice and a useful teaching aid in the training of veterinary
nurses.
Elizabeth Mullineaux
Marie Jones
June 2007
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Chapter 1 Professional responsibilities of the veterinary nurse
1
Professional responsibilities of
the veterinary nurse
Maggie Shilcock
This chapter is designed to give information on:
■ Professional responsibilities of the veterinary nurse
■ General health and safety
Professional responsibilities
Example chain of command
The veterinary nurse is a professional whose name,
Practice Principal/Partner
if they qualified from September 2007 onwards, is
entered in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’
Register of Veterinary Nurses. (Nurses who entered
the previous unregulated RCVS list on or after 1st Practice Manager
January 2003 were automatically transferred to the
new Register, while nurses qualifying before 2003
may register voluntarily.) A Guide to Professional Head Veterinary Nurse
Conduct and new Bye–laws for veterinary nurses
provide a framework within which regulated nurses
will be expected to work. Included in this framework is
Veterinary Nurse
a responsibility to the practice, clients and themselves.
The nurse must be seen to be acting in a professional
manner at all times.
person for the right advice and it should always be
Personal performance adhered to. This may be in the first instance the Head
Nurse but, depending on the advice required, could
As professionals, nurses must always be aware of the
be a Practice Manager or Practice Principal.
importance of maintaining a high level of personal
Failure to seek advice about how to carry out tasks
performance in all that they do within the practice.
or activities can, in the worst case, lead to serious
All nurses should have a detailed job description
damage to an animal’s health – for example, if
that outlines their roles and responsibilities and
identifies the specific tasks required of the job. Nurses incorrect medication is administered. This is possibly
should always be mindful of the content of their job life-threatening for the animal, upsetting for the
description and aim to fulfil the requirements to the owner and could lead to an insurance claim against
best of their ability. It is also important to be aware the practice.
of the limits of job responsibility; if there is any doubt
regarding this, nurses should seek advice from their Appraising performance
supervisor and next in command.
It is important that nurses agree and understand the
personal performance targets required of them; this is
Chain of command
often discussed during an annual appraisal. Personal
There will usually be a ‘chain of command’ within the development needs and how they will be achieved
practice. This enables employees to go to the right (for example, training courses, individual learning,
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