Companion collection - How to...

 Sarah Collins works at the International Cat Care charity and is the ISFM Nursing Manager overseeing the Cat-Friendly Clinic and webinar programmes. In this article, Sarah explores the positive interactions we can have with cats to help reduce the stress they may experience during a visit to your vet practice.

  The decision-making process when faced with oropharyngeal stick injuries can be challenging. This article by Will Robinson, Head of Soft Tissue Surgery at Willows Referral Service in Solihull, aims to provide an update on how to manage these unique injuries.

 Lucia Sanchini offers advice on identifying and avoiding clump formation when running an in-house haematology report.

  Natasha Wayne-Wynne and Sid Sudunagunta, from Willows Referral Hospital, provide information on pericardial effusion and how to approach the condition in practice.

 Professor Silke Salavati, Head of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Service at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies takes us on a journey through the world of microbiota.

Corrected February 2024

  In the July edition of Companion, Erika Villedieu, of Willows Referral Centre in Solihull, focused on the basics of wound healing, dressing types, composition and indications. In this second article in the two-part series she focuses on the step-by-step management of traumatic open wounds.

  This is the first article in a two-part series from Erika Villedieu of Willows Referral Centre in Solihull and focuses on the basics of wound healing, dressing types, composition and indications.

 Maria Chie Niimura del Barrio of Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists discusses how to prevent and manage this anaesthetic complication.

 Fergus Allerton, of Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, explains the challenges of selecting an appropriate drug for patients with immune-mediated disease.

  Hypercalcaemia is not uncommon in sick dogs and may result in life-threatening complications. Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, takes a look at the degree of intervention required depending on the outcome of diagnostic procedures.

 Elodie Roels, Senior Clinician in small animal internal medicine at the University of Liège, Belgium, summarizes the most common respiratory conditions associated with the presence of crackles in dogs.

  This is the third article in a three-part histopathology series by Melanie Dobromylskyj, of Finn Pathologists, and covers margin assessment, why it is important, and how the surgeon and pathologist can work together to achieve the most useful information. It looks at different forms of margin assessment for surgical samples, and their pros and cons, as well as some of the issues pathologists face when trying to assess margins from certain tumour types.

  Branching out from last month’s mental health and wellbeing article, which looked at the ways in which we can protect our own mental wellbeing at work, Emma Stansfield, from VDS Training, explores how team health and wellbeing should, and can, be supported in the workplace.

 Emma Stansfield, from VDS Training, explores how mental health and wellbeing can be maintained at work. This is the first part in a series of mental health and wellbeing articles and will focus on how individuals can help manage their own wellbeing. Read on to find out what we can, and should, do to stand the best chance of having a fulfilling and enjoyable career, where our performance and wellbeing are optimal and sustained even in the presence of challenges.

  Primary author, Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims, at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine, discusses common coelomic disorders, which can cause significant chronic pain in poultry.

 Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, discusses a systematic approach to the investigation of hyperglobulinaemia and potential differential diagnoses.

  Carla Asorey Blazquez and Ferran Valls Sanchez of Dick White Referrals explain the causes of anaemia in this, the first part of a two-part series.

  In this first part of a two-part series, Mellora Sharman of VetCT, describes a pragmatic approach to the common problem of chronic diarrhoea.

   With the incidence of travelled dogs continuing to increase, Josh Kennils and Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, offer guidance on which diseases to test for and how best to test for them.

    Toxoplasmosis is a disease of worldwide importance because it has zoonotic potential; it can also cause a spectrum of disease in cats. In this article, Stephanie Sorrell, Marina Domingues and Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore look at the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in cats.

  This month, Highcroft Veterinary Referrals oncology specialist Owen Davies continues his advice on how to deal with a canine mast cell tumour, beginning with how to stage mast cell tumours.

  Based on common questions from referring vets, oncology specialist Owen Davies, from Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, presents his view on dealing with a canine mast cell tumour in this, the first part of a two-part series.

 Claire Hargrave, an ASAB certificated clinical animal behaviourist and a member of, and honorary secretary to, the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, explains how puppy and kitten breeders can best prepare their young charges for their new forever homes.

 Christine Magrath of the Veterinary Defence Society offers advice on dealing with these sensitive situations.

 Linda Ryan, a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour, and in Oncology, and a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, offers advice on making your clinic ‘dog-friendly’, highlighting in-clinic considerations to help reduce the stress canine patients experience when visiting your practice.