Page 96 - BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice

6 | Physical methods used to alleviate pain: nursing considerations

VetBooks.ir uid balance and decreasing risk of urine environment. Cats tend to form xed food
preferences and are in uenced by the timing
related dermatitis, but they also hold potential
and location of meals, the type of bowl or dish
for signi cant risk such as the development of
urinary tract infections. Smarick et al. 4 the food is o ered in, and social stimuli such as
found that antimicrobial administration can be the presence or absence of other household
associated with the development of members and pets ichel, 1 . All species
antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections in are susceptible to learned food aversions,
dogs undergoing prolonged catheterization. which may be associated with nausea, pain,
Aseptic catheter placement and maintenance malady, with the act of eating or even the sight
every 8 hours, or whenever the urinary catheter or scent of food. Food aversions are especially
becomes visibly soiled, is recommended. The relevant to hospitalized patients. Hospitalized
practice of clipping hair to help with incontinent patients that excessively swallow, gulp or drool
veterinary patients is often adopted. This at the sight or smell of food, who turn their
involves clipping hair away from the perineum heads away from the food, spit it out when it is
and dorsal surface of the proximal tail. The tail put in their mouths, or try to escape from
can be wrapped to minimize contamination of o ered food, should be left alone. E ually,
fur and reduce the need for regular bathing. providing a bu et ban uet of all food choices is
Care should be taken as clipper blades can incorrect methodology; this is an unnatural
cause skin disturbance and, in the worst cases, approach to feeding behaviour in veterinary
may contribute to irritation, erythema and patients. Nausea, like pain, has a sensory and
development of dermatitis. a ective component. Nausea is considered a
Veterinary nurses should be taught proper highly noteworthy cause of su ering in humans.
techniques for manual bladder expression by Overt signs of nausea and discomfort should be
their supervising veterinary surgeons. E ective addressed rst. See igure 6.7 for suggestions
manual bladder expression technique takes for feeding an inpatient that is showing signs of
practice and varies from patient to patient. food aversion.
Another essential technique for veterinary Some patients will re uire more e cient
nurses to master is the basic use of an means to increase nutritional intake. Serious
ultrasound machine to assess bladder size. complications are linked with poor nutrition, and
iving veterinary nurses the con dence to cats are particularly prone to the e ects of early
incorporate this skill is invaluable for accurate malnutrition. Veterinary nurses must be
assessment of patients and decreases potential
complications arising from patient handling and • er food in a novel setting
poor technique. • ave someone di erent do the feeding
• Make mealtimes as comfortable and as stress-
free as possible
Feeding and nutrition • ry to o er food in a uiet setting
Bodyweight and body condition scoring are • ry to schedule feedings at a di erent time from
other treatments such as pilling
familiar to veterinary nurses. Proper nutritional • Avoid pushing food on the patient
requirements and meeting caloric needs in • Stroke and talk to the patient
hospitalized patients can be challenging. The • ry feeding using di erent dishes bowl types, e.g.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s wide shallow bowls or at plates for cats
(WSAVA) Global Nutrition Guidelines are a great • Chilled food from the fridge can be warmed
resource for both veterinary sta and owners to • Be careful when warming food as this can be
assist in providing appropriate nutrition. counterproductive in some patients with food
aversions
Cats often pose the biggest challenges in • Get the owner involved. They can cook or bring
the face of inappetance. Many animals will have something in and spend time with their pet to try
factors that signi cantly in uence food intake, and encourage eating
such as psychological state, learned Ideas to stimulate feeding.
behaviours, circadian rhythm and the external

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