Practical use of electromyography in veterinary medicine – A review

Electromyography (EMG) is a sophisticated electrodiagnostic-neurophysiological method, which serves to diagnose neuromuscular system diseases. It is based on the measurement of the electrical potentials created by the skeletal muscle activity. For this technique, surface electrodes and needle electrodes can be used, which read the action potential of a large number of motor units and read a small number of motor units, respectively. The wide-spectrum application of this method extends our diagnostic possibilities of the clinical examination in veterinary practice. Together with a clinical neurological examination and imaging methods, EMG forms a part of the diagnosis of nervous system diseases and it is a useful diagnostic technique for differentiating neuropathies, junctionopathies, and myopathies. The results of the neurophysiological examination inform us about the functional state of the peripheral and central nervous system; it can demonstrate subclinical diseases and monitor the dynamics of changes in the functional state of individual nervous systems over time. In this article, we review the electromyographic method and its use in veterinary practice.

Reducing medication errors in practice: part 2

In part 1 of this article, the authors looked at the enormous possibilities for medication errors to occur ( https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2021.0033 ). In this second part, the authors consider what can be done to avoid medication errors happening in veterinary practice and how systems of work can be used to help. As identified in the Institute of Medicine's report To Err Is Human, most errors result from faulty systems and processes, not individuals. Before steps can be put in place to avoid medication errors, it must be acknowledged that we are all human and thus susceptible to cognitive biases and external influences that cause us to make mistakes. Hence, any interventions put in place should focus on adjusting systems of work to make it easier to do things right and more difficult to do things wrong.

The art of delegation: integration of the veterinary nursing assistant into New Zealand veterinary practice

Background: In 2016 veterinary nursing assistants (VNAs) were introduced as an additional tier to New Zealand veterinary practice. Aim: This study explores the utilisation of VNAs in New Zealand veterinary practices to ascertain the impact of an additional staffing layer to patient outcomes, workload management and staff wellness. Method: Through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 30 participants, three themes emerged allowing evaluation of the Allied Veterinary Professionals Regulatory Council (AVPRC) Scope of Practice (SP) (AVPRC, 2020) and development of delegation guidelines (DG). Results: Analysis identified weak processes in delegation. The practice-based perspectives of VNA staff utilisation supports the AVPRC SP. Conclusion: Effective communication of the SP and DG for veterinary practice utilisation could contribute to reducing workload pressure. Additionally, individual practice staff discussions regarding own and colleague job expectations, along with review of contractual job descriptions, could further evolution of multi-tiered practices leading to improved patient outcomes, team wellness and business success.

Genes of Congenital Dermatologic Disorders in Dogs—A Review

This article presents an overview of up-to-date identified genes responsible for congenital canine skin diseases of dogs and the characteristics of these diseases. Congenital skin diseases constitute a specific group of dermatologic disorders that plays an important role in breeding of purebred dogs. They include primary seborrhoea, ichthyosis, hereditary nasal parakeratosis, dermatomyositis, colour dilution alopecia, skin mucinosis, dermoid sinus, lethal acrodermatitis, acral mutilation syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, ichthyosiform dermatosis, bullous epidermolysis, exfoliative dermal lupus erythematosus, congenital footpad hyperkeratosis and sebaceous adenitis. In the majority of cases, their occurrence is linked to particular breeds. In more than half of these diseases a specific defective gene variant responsible for the disease has been identified. Genetic tests for identification of the relevant defective genes serve as an important tool in the diagnostics of diseases in veterinary practice and in breeding of purebred dogs.

Dystocia in a wild Western Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus occidentalis)

ABSTRACT Dystocia in reptiles is the retention of ova or foetuses within the female due to the failure of the female to complete parturition or oviposition. This disorder is commonly observed in captive reptiles, but has rarely been reported in wild reptiles. We observed a large internal obstruction in an adult female Tiger Snake captured as part of an ongoing population study. We failed to palpate out the object in the field, so we took the snake to a veterinary practice for professional assistance. All non-lethal methods of extracting the object were unsuccessful so we euthanised the specimen and post-mortem dissection revealed five mummified stillborn young lodged in a sealed reproductive tract. Reproductive abnormalities are frequent in Tiger Snakes and large proportions of litters can be comprised of unfertilised eggs, fertilised aborted eggs and stillborn young, yet none of these observations ever resulted in dystocia. It is interesting that this observation occurred in a snake from Herdsman Lake, Western Australia, where the Tiger Snake population is subjected to many anthropogenic stressors. We cannot determine what caused this case of dystocia but suspect it may have been caused by some sort of negative effect onset by the quality of the environment.

Health concerns with backyard pigs

The care of pet pigs and pigs in small holdings can be challenging, as pigs are less commonly seen in general veterinary practice. Although, the majority of health problems in pigs require only basic veterinary care. This article discusses the most likely clinical presentations and outlines several of the more serious conditions in pigs, such as the threat posed by infectious diseases such as African swine fever. Effective communication between vets and owners is very important in the care of pigs and this article also highlights how this can be maintained. It is also important to note that members of the Pig Vet Society are always willing to help colleagues through the more difficult cases

An evidence-based approach to workplace anaesthesia training. Part 2

Part one of this article considered the value of using educational evidence to teach student veterinary nurses (SVNs), discussed the characteristics of SVNs as learners, and described the importance of developing SVNs—not only in their anaesthetic skills, but also in becoming more self-directed professionals. As part one highlighted some of the challenges that SVNs experience as they attempt to learn in a veterinary practice, this second part will consider some common questions about veterinary nursing teaching and provide examples of techniques that can be used by registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) to improve teaching strategies for anaesthesia in the workplace. While some of the educational theories mentioned may be dated, this article aims to use supportive contemporary evidence to show how they are still relevant to help guide our teaching.