BSAVA Foundation Collection

In the context of shelters, biosecurity refers to all the efforts made to control the incursion and spread of infectious disease. This chapter covers external and internal influences on biosecurity, principles of outbreak management, staff and volunteer training in biosecurity, the relationship between stress and disease, and management of specific populations. Quick reference guide: A brief overview of disinfectants.

Diarrhoea is a frequent presenting or developing problem in cats at shelters, especially on or soon after arrival. This chapter covers: normal faecal patterns and diarrhoea, diarrhoea in context of the shelter environment, history taking, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention, and approach to an outbreak of diarrhoea.

This chapter introduces specific welfare and ethical issues that are faced in shelter medicine and outlines the factors that give rise to them. It focuses on two key issues that are the source of many welfare and ethical concerns: the challenges of resource distribution and euthanasia. Quick reference guide: Using ethical reasoning to make decisions.

Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus are important causes of disease in cats. There are important differences between the two infectious agents, particularly in relation to the multi-cat environment. This chapter discusses similarities and differences, and epidemiology of infection, and considers testing in depth, including designing a testing strategy.

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the name given to the capture, neutering and returning to home of groups of feral and free-roaming cats and dogs. This chapter describes a set of procedures and practices that are common to control of free-roaming dog and cat populations worldwide. Quick reference guides: Trap/catch, neuter, release (TNR/CNR) checklist; Euthanasia.

This chapter focuses on the control of infectious and parasitic diseases using vaccines and pharmaceutical products, with particular attention paid to flea control and the rational approach to endoparasites. These forms of disease control are vital to the reduction of morbidity and mortality due to infectious pathogens. Quick reference guide: Intake assessment for animals entering shelters.

It is important for veterinary surgeons to have a good understanding of feline infectious respiratory disease, since it represents a continual challenge in the shelter environment. This chapter covers: the challenge of the shelter environment, history taking, differential diagnosis, treatment, potential sequelae, prevention, outbreak management and FCV-associated virulent systemic disease. Quick reference guide: Rehoming a snotty cat.

Skin disease is common in cats and dogs, and can be a reason for relinquishment, abandonment, or even consideration for euthanasia. However, many dermatological conditions are very amenable to diagnosis and effective treatment within the shelter without marked expense. This chapter will describe dermatological problems of particular relevance in the shelter setting. Quick reference guides: Zoonotic diseases in shelters; Dealing with the itchy dog: is it atopic dermatitis?; Exotic diseases in shelters.

Consistent, up-to-date training can help improve animal welfare, staff morale and public perception, as well as reduce the incidence of costly disease outbreaks. This chapter covers the importance of training and education in the shelter environment, planning an educational programme, training delivery examples and why veterinary surgeons should get involved.

Shelter medicine is a newly emerging discipline of veterinary medicine, which involves working closely with charitable organizations. This chapter covers: clinical approach to herd health in companion animals, the decision-making process, challenges of shelter medicine, principles and skills needed to meet the challenges. Quick reference guide: Top 10 tips for shelter medicine vets.

Not only are certain parasites endemic to the UK expanding their demographic range, but as a result of increasing numbers of animals travelling abroad and many being imported into the UK, more exotic parasites are gaining a foothold. Ian Wright of Mount Vets and Head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland, offers advice on what to look out for in first-opinion practice to try and arrest this parasitic spread.

This chapter covers all of the vital stages of emergency evaluation in the critically ill patient: telephone triage; waiting room triage; primary survey and initial treatment; and secondary survey and the emergency plan. The chapter highlights methods for blood sampling and analysis, acid-base and electrolyte monitoring and cage-side ultrasonography.

Simon Tappin presents notes on Ehrlichiosis.

Reports of Babesia canis being diagnosed in the UK sometimes relate to dogs that have not travelled outside the UK. This is a reminder of the need to be alert to the presence of vector-borne diseases not only in pets which have been abroad but also those with no history of travel. BSAVA has produced key information for the profession about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of babesiosis. Last reviewed 2023.

The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are found worldwide and can cause clinical disease in most mammals. Dogs, and less commonly cats, can become infected with Leptospira, which can cause a variety of clinical signs, ranging from mild and non-specific to severe, multi-systemic, fulminant disease that can lead to death. Both species can also be asymptomatic shedders of this potential zoonosis in the urine, so awareness and control of the disease is important from a public health perspective. . Owners, vets and laboratory personnel may be at greatest risk of zoonotic transmission from dogs, and it is thought that pet rat owners may be most at risk of pet-associated leptospirosis as rats are the main reservoir for L. icterohaemorrhagiae, the serovar most pathogenic to humans. Last reviewed 2023.

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria are of great concern in both human and veterinary healthcare. Animals could be at risk of colonisation or infection in veterinary premises and/or act as reservoirs for colonisation or infection of in-contact humans. High standards of clinical practice and hygiene are vital to prevent the spread of these organisms. Responsible antimicrobial use will help slow the development of resistance and help preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs for the future. This resource includes the BSAVA Practice Guidelines on Reducing the risk from MRSA and MRSP. Last reviewed 2016.

Clinical signs, treatment, systemic treatment options, and more.

Catherine Bovens from the Veterinary Referral Hospital in Melbourne presents notes on leptospirosis.

Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of ringworm infection.

The clinical signs, diagnosis treatment and prevention of tetanus.

In most small animal practices true emergencies will be relatively uncommon, but with the increase in emergency centres within the UK there will be practices where emergency cases are in the majority, Although emergency medicine can be stressful it can also be extremely satisfying. This chapter focuses on telephone triage, preparation, hospital triage, cardiovascular abnormalities - assessment and management, respiratory abnormalities - assessment and management, neurological assessment and management, monitoring during stabilization, secondary assessment and ongoing management. Quick Reference Guide: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Simon Tappin on the key points associated with the emerging disease, angiostrongylus vasorum.

Recent cases in The Netherlands and France have raised the profile of the disease but many countries have to contend with rabies on a daily basis. The symposium identified seven key recommendations for progress.

Although cats and dogs are physiologically similar in many respects, and dosing regimens recommended for dogs can frequently be extrapolated to cats, there are some important differences in drug disposition between the two species that can have a profound influence on dosing recommendations. This chapter covers the following: medication compliance, antibacterials, glucocorticoids, effective feline analgesia and effective sedation and anaesthesia. Quick reference guide: Giving oral medications to cats.

The terms sterilization, disinfection, asepsis and antisepsis are often used interchangeably and frequently incorrectly. Sterilization is the process of destruction of all forms of microbial life. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoans. The term also implies the complete elimination of dormant bacterial spores, which are highly resistant to environmental changes and can survive within the environment for many years. This chapter looks at Disinfection; Methods of sterilization; and Preparation and handling of surgical packs.

This chapter provides the need-to-know information on lizards:

• Biology
• Husbandry
• Handling and restraint
• Diagnostic approach
• Common conditions
• Supportive care
• Anaesthesia and analgesia
• Common surgical procedures
• Euthanasia
• Drug formulary.

This chapter provides the need-to-know information on Primates - callitrichids, cebids and lemurs:

• Biology
• Husbandry
• Handling and restraint
• Diagnostic approach
• Common conditions
• Supportive care
• Anaesthesia and analgesia
• Common surgical procedures
• Euthanasia
• Drug formulary.

First aid is defined as the immediate treatment of injured animals or those suffering from sudden illness, with a view to preventing worsening of disease or death. Although veterinary nurses do not have greater legal powers than lay people, in situations requiring first aid they will have far greater knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and of the specific emergency first aid techniques required. In practice, nurses may be faced with emergency situations requiring evaluation and stabilization until the arrival of the veterinary surgeon. This chapter is designed to give information on the Definition of the term first aid and its limitations; Reasons for patient evaluation; Obtaining good case history and what should be included; Emergency procedures that may be performed to maintain life; Basic resuscitation techniques; and Emergency procedures for common first aid situations.

This chapter is designed to give information on; the history of the cat and its association with humans; how a client should select a suitable cat; recognition of different breeds of domestic cat; basic genetics, including coat colours and patterns; general care and everyday management; routine veterinary care; basic nutrition; breeding from cats; and basic understanding or normal behavioural characteristics. Routine veterinary attention includes: vaccination, control of internal and external parasites, neutering, pet identification (tattooing, microchip implantation).

This chapter is designed to give information on how to set up and run an emergency room/treatment area, including planning for emergencies; evaluation of the emergency patient (triage; primary survey; major body systems assessment), immediate treatment of life-threatening emergencies, and nursing and monitoring the emergency patient.