Plus-Hex CLINICAL incident, the patient was eating and drinking well at home, with no clinical signs or reports of dehydration.
The signs of dehydration( tacky mucous membranes and a heart murmur) were quickly identified on clinical examination. The patient ' s demeanour allowed conscious ultrasound examination of the abdomen, which found a linear object obstructing the jejunum.
Preassigning clinicians and VNs to this emergency case meant a GA plan was produced promptly and assessment of the patient was made in a timely manner. A comprehensive history provided by the referring veterinary practice, combined with an initial clinical assessment, facilitated the identification of potential patient risks, including hypoglycaemia( owing to the patient ' s young age, inappetence, elevated metabolic rate and history of vomiting) and sepsis resulting from possible leakage of intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity perioperatively. This enabled the implementation of preventative and monitoring strategies such as hourly BG measurements to detect hypoglycaemia and IV administration of cefuroxime to mitigate the risk of infection.
Overall, the preparation before this patient ' s arrival ensured that the process was smooth and calm, as everyone knew their role and tasks were completed effectively. Following the patient ' s surgery, the nursing plan was holistic and thorough; hospital sheets were checked and updated regularly to ensure nothing was missed. Communication among all members of staff caring for the patient was efficient and accurate to provide the best appropriate care.
6 Cook A, Heinz, J. Evaluation and management of the hypochloremic patient. Today ' s Veterinary Practice. 2022. Available from: https:// todaysveterinarypractice. com / internal-medicine / evaluationand-management-of-the-hypochloremic-patient / [ Accessed 10 September 2025 ].
7 Thomas DR, Cote TR, Lawhorne L, Levenson S, Rubenstein L, Smith D, et al. Understanding clinical dehydration and its treatment. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2008; 9( 5): 292 – 301. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. jamda. 2008.03.006.
8 Constable P, Hinchcliff K, Done S, Grünberg W. Disturbances of free water, electrolytes, acid-base balance and oncotic pressure. In: Veterinary Medicine. 11th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2017. p. 113 – 152. Available from: https:// pmc. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / articles / PMC7149330 / [ Accessed 3 August 2024 ].
9 Mullineaux E. Veterinary laboratory equipment and techniques. In: Cooper B, Mullineaux E, Turner L.( eds.) BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Gloucester: BSAVA; 2020. p. 492 – 531.
10 O ' Dwyer L, Girling S. Small animal fluid therapy. In: Cooper B, Mullineaux E, Turner L.( eds.) BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Gloucester: BSAVA; 2020. p. 641 – 668.
11 University of Bristol. IV Fluid Therapy Calculations. 2017. Available from: https:// www. bristol. ac. uk / media-library / sites / vetscience / documents / clinical-skills / IV % 20Fluid % 20Therapy % 20 Calculations. pdf [ Accessed 26 September 2024 ].
12 Sales J, Caine A, Dennis R, Lhermette P. Diagnostic imaging. In: Cooper B, Mullineaux E, Turner L.( eds.) BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Gloucester: BSAVA; 2020. p. 428 – 491.
13 Bonte T, Chastant S, Decaro N, Dethioux F, Fossati L, Freshman J, et al. Clinical examination of the newborn. In: Feline and Canine Neonatal and Pediatric Care: A Practical Guide for Veterinarians. Aimargues: Royal Canin SAS; 2024. p. 126 – 129. Available from: https:// www. calameo. com / read / 007544004392d0ff663fd? authid = DKjIUkvaTUF3 [ Accessed 23 June 2024 ].
14 Allweiler S. Pain alleviation in animals. MSD Veterinary Manual. 2023. Available from: https:// www. msdvetmanual. com / therapeutics / pain-assessment-and-management / pain-alleviationin-animals [ Accessed 15 February 2024 ].
15 Testa B. The short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale in post-operative analgesia studies in dogs: a scoping review. MVM( R) Thesis. University of Glasgow. Available from: https:// theses. gla. ac. uk / 83386 / [ Accessed 15 February 2024 ].
REFERENCES
1 Gupta JI, Shea MJ. Cardiac auscultation. MSD Manual. 2023. Available from: https:// www. msdmanuals. com / en-gb / professional / cardiovascular-disorders / approach-to-the-cardiac-patient / cardiac-auscultation [ Accessed 9 May 2024 ].
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3 Bonte T, Chastant S, Decaro N, Dethioux F, Fossati L, Freshman J, et al. Cardiac diseases in weaned puppies and kittens. In: Feline and Canine Neonatal and Pediatric Care: A Practical Guide for Veterinarians. Aimargues: Royal Canin SAS; 2024. p. 272 – 277. Available from: https:// www. calameo. com / read / 007544004392d0ff663fd? authid = DKjIUkvaTUF3 [ Accessed 23 June 2024 ].
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5 Núñez Ochoa, L. Acid-base principles and practical interpretation in small animals. In: World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings. 2005. Available from: https:// www. vin. com / apputil / content / defaultadv1. aspx? id = 3854235 & pid = 11196 [ Accessed 10 September 2025 ].
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Volume 40( 6) • December 2025
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