VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHacks from the hive mindOctober 14, 2021I reached out through social media asking technicians from all over for tips or skills they have learned over the years; answers ranged from how best to practice for various codes, administering oral medications, protecting catheters, to building a better practice culture.
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Carbon neutrality goal set by pet food giantOctober 12, 2021Transitioning to renewable electricity and reducing waste are among the steps set to be taken by Royal Canin to achieve net zero within four years.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveDiagnostic tests: the good, the bad, and the uglyOctober 7, 2021By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMADiagnostic testing is not an oracle, which we consult blindly in the hope of replacing confusion with wisdom. It is a targeted process of collecting and evaluating specific information in the context of our existing understanding, and altering that understanding incrementally to better approximate reality and inform our actions.
Veterinary efforts support antimicrobial stewardshipOctober 6, 2021When it comes to the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), animal health professionals seem to understand the crucial role they play.
2021 They Ate What?! X-ray Contest winnersOctober 4, 2021Check out the WINNER of the 15th annual Veterinary Practice News They Ate What?! X-ray Contest!
How to make Vet Tech Week a successOctober 4, 2021It’s that time of year again. No, not biennial inventory counts or holiday scheduling. I’m talking about Veterinary Technician Week, often known as Vet Tech Week.
Brain Teaser: Compassion fatigue vs. burnoutOctober 1, 2021Compassion fatigue vs. burnout: Do you know the differences?
Deadly feline cancer sees new potential treatmentSeptember 30, 2021Researchers are using nanobody-targeted photodynamic therapy to tackle oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats.
Local blocks to prevent pain in spay and neuter proceduresSeptember 30, 2021The relationship between fear and pain is an emerging area of interest in veterinary medicine.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveVideo series: Pain blocks for neuter proceduresSeptember 30, 2021In the October issue of Veterinary Practice News, Michael Petty, DVM, addressed how local blocks can be used to prevent pain in spay and neuter procedures. You can read the full article here. He also shared three videos to demonstrate his technique. They, along with some related text from the article for each video, appear below. The procedure: orchidectomy In either a dog or cat, the method is the same. After an alcohol prep, the testicle is firmly grasped with the non-syringe hand, and the needle is inserted into the caudal pole of the testicle and advanced just shy of the cranial pole. While maintaining a firm grasp, aspirate to make sure you are not in a blood vessel, then start to inject just until you feel the slightest pressure under your fingers. Video 1: Testicular block — feline. For a cat, this will take perhaps ¼ cc of lidocaine per testicle. Withdraw the needle and repeat with the other testicle. Video 2: Testicular block — canine. In dogs, you can also use the same needle to do a line block over your intended incision area. For a large dog, up to 1 cc of lidocaine per testicle might be …
