Welcome
Nikki Ruedisueli , RVN | VNJ Editor | nicola @ bvna . co . uk
Welcome to the April issue of VNJ . Before I reveal what ' s between the pages , I want to acknowledge how many of you are switching to a digital subscription of VNJ , which is making a real difference to our sustainability goals – thank you ! Remember to look out for bonus material in the digital edition , including videos and extra articles .
Equine enthusiasts , we ' ve heard you and this issue features three excellent articles dedicated to horsey know-how : Samantha Feighery shares a case study about nursing a patient infected with Lawsonia intracellularis ; Bonny Millar discusses the nursing care of the recumbent neonatal foal ; and Rosie Heath looks at radiography of the pelvis in standing horses and considers what is achievable in practice .
We also have an article on whistleblowing and the reporting of professional concerns ; Danielle Barnett , one of our regular authors , shares a helpful guide to cat litter ; and Kai Dillenburger-Keenan provides a fascinating case study of the care of a dog with tetanus . Plus , Frank Ruedisueli – my husband and the man behind the student revision articles in VNJ – has gone all parasitic on us via three quick refreshers covering ectoparasites , nematodes and cestodes .
We ' re galloping towards Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month ( VNAM ). In May , we will be raising public awareness of the role of the veterinary nurse , which will also help support and highlight our Protect the Title campaign . As part of VNAM , BVNA is also launching the VN Profession survey , which will become an annual initiative to gather information about veterinary nurses ' roles and working conditions . The data collected will provide important evidence to stakeholders as part of the Protect the Title campaign .
Although we understand that SVNs and RVNs tend not to complete surveys , particularly if the purpose or importance of a survey isn ' t clear , we urge you to spend 10 minutes completing the BVNA VN Profession survey . It really will help us make a difference to the future of veterinary nursing . Look out for further information and participation links sent by email and on social media and the BVNA website .
We wish you the very best of luck with any VNAM events you ' re running in May – don ' t forget to send us photos so we can showcase your practice on the BVNA blog and social media .
If you ' re based near Prestatyn and would like to attend an in-person CPD session , why not sign up for ‘ Anaesthesia and arrythmias : what to do with that funky , funky beat ?’ Visit https :// members . bvna . org . uk / events to find out about this session and other CPD events .
We have received some fantastic photos for the BVNA Photograph Competition in February and March . April ' s topics are exotic nursing , rehabilitation , and working as a veterinary nurse . The prize is a day ticket to BVNA Congress in October . For more information , head to https :// bvna . org . uk / blog / bvna-photo-competition .
Early bird tickets for BVNA Congress 2024 are now available . You ' ll find further information and ticket prices on page 8 . We look forward to seeing you in October .
Now , time to find a spring sunbeam , kick off your shoes and snuggle down to read the fabulous content waiting for you in this issue .
Scan the QR code to access the digital version of VNJ with keyword search facility and hyperlinks to websites and references
Volume 39 ( 2 ) • April 2024
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