Vetgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the cardiorenal and endocrine effects of synthetic canine BNP1-32 in dogs. If you're using pro-BNP to help differentiate pulmonary versus cardiac disease, you need to pay attention. Congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs is relatively common and yet generally carries a poor long-term prognosis with current standard medical therapies [e.g., diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and pimobendan]. Additional therapies remain a topic of investigation. The body's natural diuretic system revolves around the natriuretic peptides, including brain natriuretic peptide (BNP1-32). BNP1-32 causes diuresis, natriuresis, vasodilation, and inhibits the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) via binding to natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A) and greater production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).

In this VETgirl veterinary CE podcast, we discuss the risk of opportunistic fungal infections in dogs treated with immunosuppressive medications. If you have an IMHA, ITP, IBD, atopic dog, or IMPA case, are they at risk for infection?

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC) on all you need to know about esophagostomy tube placement in veterinary medicine. What's the best way to secure an e-tube so it doesn't migrate or pull out? What's the length to use for an e-tube, and how do you clean the stoma? Find out some great nutritional nursing care tips here.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss the prevalence of bacteriuria in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The ISCAID has recently published their second set of guidelines regarding the treatment of UTIs in dogs and cats (Weese). So, how prevalent are UTIs in dogs with CKD?

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in cats. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in humans is most classically described as a myocardial disease whereby left ventricular wall thickness is normal, diastolic filling is impaired, and systolic function is affected minimally or not at all. There is significant variety in the actual etiology and clinical manifestations of RCM, however. RCM in cats has thus far generally been described as either a “myocardial” form whereby the myocardium is diffusely affected, or an “endomyocardial” form which involves a bridging endomyocardial scar from the interventricular septum to the left ventricular free wall. There is limited data regarding factors that influence prognosis in RCM in cats. So, Chetboul et al out of France wanted to evaluate this in a study entitled Clinical, epidemiological and echocardiographic features and prognostic factors in cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy: A retrospective s

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC) reviews how to take special care of our senior, geriatric veterinary patients. Keep in mind some of our patients may be suffering from osteoarthritis, sensory deterioration (e.g., blindness, hearing loss, etc.), and cognitive dysfunction and may need some extra time and TLC.

In this VETgirl veterinary continuing education blog, Jeannine Moga, LSW, Chief Happiness Officer of VETgirl, reviews how we can prepare for the "long race" and survive everything right now. If you feeling like you're running on fumes, learn how to adjust for the long race in this VETgirl podcast blog.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review lung utlrasonography use in coughing dogs. Coughing is a common clinical sign associated with a variety of respiratory etiologies in dogs, including dynamic airway collapse, bronchitis, pneumonia, heartworm disease, and neoplasia. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is commonly reported to be associated with coughing in dogs, although there is much debate as to whether this clinical sign could actually be directly attributable to pulmonary edema (which is generally interstitial or alveolar in location) given the distribution of cough receptors primarily in the large airways. It is possible that coughing in dogs with congestive heart failure is due to cardiogenic airway compression, or concurrent primary respiratory disease.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the use of lidocaine for chemical cardioversion of AV tachycardia in dogs. Accessory pathways (APs) refer to interruptions of the normal fibrous band that forms the junction between the atria and ventricles (AV junction). Such pathways generally consist of myocardial cells that can conduct electrical impulses between the atria and ventricles, which under normal circumstances occurs only at the atrioventricular (AV) node. Accessory pathways may conduct electrical impulses in the anterograde, retrograde, or both anterograde and retrograde directions. Anterograde conduction results in ventricular preexcitation (i.e., depolarization of a portion of the ventricular myocardium independent of the typical conduction pathway). Retrograde conduction across an accessory pathway creates the potential for a macroreentrant circuit incorporating the atrial myocardium, AV node-His-Purkinje system, ventricular myocardium and the accessory pathway. Th

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Schwanda Flowers on what you need to know when it comes to financial solutions for veterinary professionals. Interested in buying a veterinary practice? Not sure where to start? Not sure how to find the right business partner? Tune in to learn more about small business ownership!

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, Rachel Poulin, RVT, VTS talks about how to empower veterinary technicians to have the conversation and deal with client pushback. Learn how you can empower your veterinary technicians to educate the public, leading to greater efficiency for the team.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we review the use of apomorphine as an emetic for treating gastric foreign body ingestions. In full disclosure, VETgirl loves to puke stuff, so keep that in mind. Apomorphine, a commonly used emetic agent in dogs, is generally a very safe, effective (>90%) emetic used for the poisoned patient. BTW, we don't use it much in cats because our feline friends have fewer dopaminergic receptors in the area of the brain responsible for apomorphine's ability to induce nausea and vomiting. For kitties we prefer to use the alpha-2's such as dexmedetomidine, but that's another podcast. (For more information on emesis induction in cats, please refer to the following VETGirl podcast https://vetgirlontherun.com/podcasts/dexmedetomidine-versus-xylazine-emetic-cats-vetgirl-veterinary-continuing-education-podcasts/.) Apomorphine comes in different formulations that can be administered by intravenous, transconjunctival, intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes. But can we use it for gastric foreign bo

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, VETgirl's Chief Happiness Officer, Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW, LCSW, clinical veterinary social worker, discusses veterinary professionals should handle the anxiety and stress of COVID19.

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC) on what it means to go needle-free in veterinary medicine. If you're not using needle-free extension sets or needle-free valves in your clinic, tune in! In this VETgirl podcast, learn what the different types of needle-free valves are, and what the clinical benefits are of these needle-free sets.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC) of VETgirl reviews a blood work “cheatsheat” for veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. As veterinary staff are typically running the clinical pathology machines, they must be aware of key abnormalities and how to interpret them (and know when to promptly notify the doctor!).

In today's VETgirl veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Zachary Niman, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) from MedVet on all things neurology. What's the classic signalment of an idiopathic epileptic cat or dog? How do I localize that lesion in the ataxic patient? Learn it here in this VETgirl podcast!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Nyssa Reine-Salz, DVM, DACVIM on the primary urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI), otherwise known as spay incontinence. What treat options are out there for this very common problem?

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the incidence of bacteriuria in cats with urethral obstructions (UO). Unfortunately UOs are both a common and potentially life-threatening condition in our feline patients. The fundamental treatment principles for feline UOs include relieving the obstruction via urethral catheterization, immediate stabilization of electrolyte and metabolic abnormalities, cardiovascular stabilization, providing adequate post-obstruction care, and of course instituting preventative measures for the future (Cooper). One of the more controversial aspects of management is the routine use of antimicrobial therapy, and as you all know, we are fierce advocates for antimicrobial stewardship here at VETgirl! Therefore, today we are reviewing an article by Cooper et al entitled Incidence of bacteriuria at presentation and resulting from urinary catheterization in feline urethral obstruction that investigates the incidence of bacteriuria in cats with UOs, both a

In today's VETgirl podcast, we interview Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC) on what you need to know about nasoesophageal (NE) / nasogastric (NG) feeding tubes. First, who should put them in (e.g., veterinarian? veterinary nurse?)? What size and length should you pick? Do you need to use a stylet or sedation? What are the contraindications for placing an NG or NE tube? Learn about this important but simple procedure to help with nutritional support in your veterinary patient.

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Sarah Von Bargen, writer, coach and educator at YesandYes.org. Sarah helps people spend their time, money and energy on purpose. She works from home and provides some great advice on how to survive working from home during this quarantine from COVID-19.