1. Animal nursing practice The relevance of the clinical exam

2. Signs and symptoms Signs are the normal and abnormal findings the animal displays Symptoms are how the human reports feeling-not relevant for animals

3. vet nurses must understand the diagnostic process The role of the vet ◦Diagnosis ◦Prognosis ◦Prescription /planning treatment The role of the vet nurse is to respond to clear clinical signs that indicate immediate action MAY be required ◦On the telephone ◦Emergency first aid ◦Monitoring animals ◦Assessing risk of infectious disease

4. The vet nurse must not… Diagnose Prognose Prescribe treatment

5. Infectious conditions that require immediate response at reception FIURD Feline enteritis/Panleucopaenia Canine parvovirus Kennel cough

6. Action plan to prevent disease transmission Remove the animal and owner to separate area from other animals Reassure the owner this is a precaution in case the animal is infectious (don’t diagnose prognose or prescribe) Notify the vet asap Prioritise other patients and notify owners Clean up any discharges (PPE, disinfectant type strength and contact time) Change and wash hands before handling the next patient

7. Perform a role play of what you will do if a possibly infectious animal comes into reception when you are on duty. Record the signs of the disease your patient has, treatment and prevention on a poster you will display for the rest in your stream while you are presenting your role play

8. Infection control and disinfectants Prevent nosocomial infection with routine C&D Factors that affect efficacy of disinfection ◦Concentration, ◦contact time, ◦organic contamination, ◦SA (porosity etc) ◦Temperature ◦Soap(rinsing) ◦Type and number of contaminant M/O

9. Selection of disinfectants Use? Critical semi critical or non critical areas Efficacy in presence of organic matter Spectrum of action Contact time Safety (skin, aerosols) Stability in storage Smell Economy

10. Resistant organisms Most Resistant ◦Bacterial spores (anthrax / tetanus) ◦Acid fast bacteria (TB, Johnes disease) ◦Unenveloped viruses (parvovirus, feline panleucopaenia) -cidal or –static? Disinfectant or antiseptic Special considerations eg ◦No phenols for cats ◦ resistant M/O may require inc conc or contact time

11. Rules and precautions Create a pneumonic for the rules to remember when using disinfectants Create a bumper sticker about the precautions to take when using disinfectants, to display on the cupboard door where they are stored