This approach reduces the time the VS needs to spend with the client and making a decision, freeing them up for tasks only they can do, such as diagnosing, prescribing and surgery. When the VS has prescribed the parasiticide, the VN can dispense the prescribed product, provide owner education and demonstrate administration of the product, and offer tailored advice based on the VS ' s prescription and the VN ' s expertise.
Team-based patient care
To improve owner compliance, it is important that everyone on the veterinary team, including the receptionists, VNs and VSs, conveys informed and consistent messaging [ 13 ]. A unified, evidence-based, risk-assessment-led approach to parasite control can increase owner understanding and support the correct use of parasiticides. This includes reducing the incidence of parasite infection, helping prevent parasiticide resistance and environmental contamination, and monitoring the efficacy of treatment [ 13 ].
In this team-based approach, receptionists can advise clients on when to bring in their pet ' s faecal samples, and VNs can obtain patient histories and conduct diagnostic tests to assist the VS in making a clinical diagnosis [ 4 ]. The VS can then review the information gathered, physically examine the animal and prescribe a parasiticide if appropriate.
This model supports effective interprofessional working, enabling VNs to apply their clinical expertise within the limits of the regulatory frameworks, while allowing VSs to dedicate their time to other clinical tasks.
EXCLUSIVE
DIGITAL CONTENT
AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE DIGITAL EDITION
Appendix 1
• Modified McMaster technique and Baermann technique
Video Watch a demonstration of a simple faecal flotation technique
Thanks to The Veterinary Hospital Lincoln for the use of their laboratory and equipment in the video
Play PLAY VIDEO
Further reading and guidance
Visit https:// www. esccapuk. org. uk or scan the QR code for further guidelines and recommendations on this topic from the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites( ESCCAP) UK and Ireland.
REFERENCES
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