Qualifications

Qualifications

RCVS Veterinary Nursing Qualification (credit) – 1997
D32/33 Assessor Award (updated later to Clinical Coach) – 2001
City and Guilds Certificate in Small Animal Nutrition – 2008
RCVS Examiners Certificate – 2009
ISFM Feline Friendly Nursing Certificate (distinction) – 2010
ISFM Feline Nursing Diploma (distinction) – 2013
ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour (distinction) – 2018

I must admit that I do have a bit of a soft spot f

I must admit that I do have a bit of a soft spot for big bruiser tomcats like the one in this pic, but wow they can be stinky! 👃🙀 🐈Tomcat urine has a much more overpowering odour than urine from other cats because it contains more of the amino acid felinine 🐈This amino acid (and one called isovalthene) breaks down over time, meaning the smell of the urine becomes more pungent over time too - which is ideal communicating with other cats 🐈What's really interesting is that production felinine in particular may be linked with a tomcat's ability to successfully obtain good quality food (felinine is biosynthesised by cystine and taurine found in food - especially meat) 🐈 Increased amounts of felinine produce stronger smelling urine and can potentially be good signal of overall health, readiness to mate and the ability for a tom cat to defend itself against any competitors *Neutering tom cats not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, the spread of disease and injuries from fighting, it also helps to prevent urine spraying* 📚 Reference:
Bradshaw, J. and Cameron-Beaumont, C., 1988. The signalling repertoire of the domestic cat and its undomesticated relatives. In: D. Turner and P. Bateson, ed., The domestic cat: The biology of its behaviour, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge City Press, p.69.

It's back! 🥳🥳 I'm very lucky to be intervi

It's back! 🥳🥳 I'm very lucky to be interviewing the lovely @nattyboobear20 (Nat Morris) who a veterinary surgeon and practice owner💪💚 Natalie will be taking about and sharing her experiences of working as a vet with Meniere's disease Put it in your diary and join us at 8pm on Friday 29th January 💻📖
See you there 💪💚

Sunday snoozing 😴😴

Sunday snoozing 😴😴

Ever wondered why some cats have a loose pouch of

Ever wondered why some cats have a loose pouch of skin under their tummy that moves around when they walk? 🤔
Well, this is known as the 'primordial pouch' and is thought to serve a couple functions: 🐱 To protect their organs during fighting. When cats fight, they really go for it! They will often try to rake their opponents abdomen with their sharp back claws, so the primordial pouch protects this area from serious damage. 🐱Because the primordial pouch is made up from excess skin, it helps cats to stretch out when they are running, jumping or climbing. This is important for both hunting and defence. 🐱The primordial pouch starts to develop when a cat is around six months of age. It has nothing to do with neutering and is a completely normal part of the feline anatomy. Both entire and neutered cats may have a primordial pouch. 🐱Some big cats, such as tigers and cheetahs also have primordial pouches 🐱Sizes in primordial pouches may vary, but it does not mean your cat is overweight if it has a large primordial pouch. However, if your cat is overweight you should speak to your veterinary team for advice. 📚Reference: Wilson, J., 2021. What Is The Primordial Pouch In Cats?. [online] Cat-World. Available at: <https://cat-world.com/primordial-pouch/#Function> [Accessed 19 January 2021].

** Important FREE webinar for veterinary professio

** Important FREE webinar for veterinary professionals ** ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Repost @thebvnaltd
• • • • • •
Have you heard of The Links Group?
•••
Their mission is to raise awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals through support, training and inter-agency working.
•••
They are providing a FREE webinar tomorrow at 12.30pm on ‘Animals and Domestic Abuse: The impact of COVID-19 on the link.’ For more information, and to register, please visit thelinksgroup.org.uk.
•••
You can also find information about what they do and access their downloadable guide on recognising abuse in animals and humans on their website.

Although paracetamol is a commonly used and relati

Although paracetamol is a commonly used and relatively safe medication for people, it is incredibly toxic to cats and just one tablet (or less) can be fatal This is because cats lack a certain enzyme called ‘glucuronyl transferase’, which is needed to metabolise the drug. Paracetamol toxicity is serious in cats, who may display the following signs: 😿Inappetence and vomiting 😿Swelling of face and paws 😿Difficultly breathing 😿Increased heart and respiratory rate Weakness and lethargy 😿Pale, muddy brown and /or cyanotic (blue) mucous membrane colour e.g. gums 1-4 hours after ingestion 😿Dark/brown coloured urine 😿Anaemia (12-24 hours) 😿Liver failure (after a couple of days) 😿Death Treatment: Decontamination by Inducing vomiting or gastric lavage (stomach flush) if seen quickly i.e., within 2-3 hours, and then administration of activated charcoal to absorb the toxin A drug called acetylcysteine. This is used to increases the production of non-toxic metabolites. Acetylcysteine has to be administered at a specific dose and time, usually over a period of days Vets may also treat affected cats with additional medications such as cimetidine and Vitamin C, to prevent further metabolism of paracetamol and revert the methaemoglobin back to haemoglobin (the oxygen carrying protein in red blood cells) Affected cats should handled very carefully, as methemoglobinemia causes respiratory distress and limits their capacity to cope with stress Cats suffering from paracetamol may need days of hospitalisation, oxygen therapy, fluid therapy, medications, and intensive nursing care 😿Unfortunately, unless caught early, the prognosis for paracetamol toxicity in cats is poor. ⚠️NEVER give human medications to cats. If you suspect your cat has ingested paracetamol, contact your vet IMMEDIATELY. 📚References: Cannon, M., 2013. Toxins - common feline poisonings. In: A. Harvey and S. Tasker, ed., BSAVA Manual of feline practice. Quedgeley: British Small Animal Veterinary Association, pp.141-142. Grace, S., 2012. Toxicosis. In: L. Schmeltzer and G. Norsworthy, ed., Nursing the feline patient. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell

Thanks boys! 😂 😂 #catlogic

Thanks boys! 😂 😂 #catlogic

Sad times! 😂 😂 Seriously though, some cats

Sad times! 😂 😂 Seriously though, some cats never come round, no matter what you do or how cat friendly you are at your practice 😿 🐈These kitties are usually best left alone, ensuring they have somewhere quiet where can hide and feel safe 🐈Handling should be kept at a minimum for examinations and procedures, and always discuss sedation with the rest of your team if your feline patient is starting to become stressed - sedation works better if it's given before the cat becomes super fearful (otherwise you'll need a higher dose which is more risky for the patient) 🐈Some cats are much calmer if they are given oral sedation at home by their owners. It's kinder for the kitty and safer for you 👍👍