Page 103 - BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice

BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice

VetBooks.ir vital function in systemic metabolism and
immune function. Obesity promotes a pro-
in ammatory state that contributes to a chronic
low grade state of systemic in ammation.
Adipokines also in uence metabolic conditions
linked with obesity. his pro in ammatory state
will contribute directly to any coexisting pain.
Veterinary nurses can teach owners how to
body condition score and direct them to helpful
resources such as videos available on the
WSAVA nutritional toolkit website. Resources
are also available to teach owners about human
caloric equivalents. The Association for Pet
Obesity Prevention has some great resources,
for example, the Pet-Human Weight Translator, (a)
and other weight loss tools for cats and dogs
that can be printed and passed on to owners. If
medication is only administered with cheese or
a hot dog, the calories of these foods need to
be factored into calorie counting. Lower calorie
alternatives or other methods of medication
administration should be discussed. Delivering
food in di erent ways igure 6.1 will increase
patient interest. ‘Just feed less’ is not a workable
solution if food is an important resource for that
pet or the owner. Methods to incorporate this
need to be considered.
Comfort
This can encompass a myriad of solutions that (b)
may improve welfare and well being, some of
the more obvious being all the areas where the (a,b) A toy (Kong™) used as a method
of feeding a Greyhound in hospital. This
pet enjoys resting and sleeping. For some pets method of feeding encourages natural feeding
this will also involve thinking about access to behaviours, increases the time taken for the patient to
the sleeping area, e.g. steps to the back of the eat and provides a great distraction.
sofa. There will be perhaps less obvious areas
to deal with such as how the pet travels in the car is travelling. Are they pacing, salivating,
car; if they have exposed nail beds from scu ng panting excessively, falling over, jamming
their feet, can they manage a walk; and also themselves into a corner? A big open-
more owner-centred considerations such as spaced boot is not always helpful for dogs
how able they are to lift a dog into the car or struggling against a moving car.
make changes around the home. ■ Scu ed nails down to the uick can be very
uncomfortable; nail covers such as Soft
■ Beds best for patient, not what matches Paws™ are available.
décor or owner’s aesthetic preferences. ■ Mobility aids: these may help owners take
■ looring slippery oors may be their pet out more easily or frequently and
problematic; use rugs, runners and consider can be used in combination with
nail grips such as r Bu by nail grips. conventional walks. Aids such as wheels,
■ Car rides: ask owners what the patient does harnesses, buggies and ramps warrant
speci cally while in the car and when the consideration.

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