Spring—the reset button that we all need! Everything seems possible in the Spring, and looking at this issue, I see endless possibilities. This issue offers us a fresh look at blood smear skills and reminds team members how to decrease potential risks to our pregnant team members. Speaking of refreshing opportunities, our nutrition article offers a fresh perspective on the weight loss conversation with pet owners. As NAVTA continues to elevate our profession, it announces in this issue a new policy on recommended requirements for veterinary nurse/technician license renewal. Renewal can also be seen in our article on the 2024 RECOVER guidelines, which highlight updated CPR guidelines based on advancements in research. Spring is a lovely reminder of just how beautiful change can be. This Spring issue offers a reset and reminds us that anything is possible—even a perfect blood smear!
What We’re Reading
A member of our Editorial Advisory Board shares a recent open access publication, including their key takeaways and its practical conclusion.
Feline Aortic Thromboembolism: Recent Advances and Future Prospects
Guillaumin J. J Feline Med Surg.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X241257878
WHAT WAS INVESTIGATED? This literature review summarizes recent advances in treatment standards and improved prognosis for cats suffering from feline aortic thromboembolism (FATE), also known colloquially as a saddle thrombus.
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED?
- FATE presentation includes pale or cyanotic paws, pulselessness, paralysis, and pain and may affect 1 leg or both.
- More than half of cats presenting with FATE have concurrent congestive heart failure; however, this is not associated with a worse prognosis.
- 25% of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) overall will develop FATE; 75% of FATE cases are male due to their predisposition to HCM.
- Recent advances in treatment include thromboprophylaxis (thrombus preventing) and thrombolysis (thrombus breakdown) medications.
TAKE-HOME POINTS
- Recent FATE survival rates are as high as 40%.
- Post-FATE median survival times have been reported at 500 days with rivaroxaban and clopidogrel.
- Nursing care involves physical therapy; during neuromuscular recovery, efforts must be focused on reduction of stress, nutrition, and elimination.
— Jennifer Lyons, CVT, LVT, MS, VTS (ECC)
More from the NAVC
blendVET Brings 5 DEIB Courses to VetFolio
In partnership with blendVET, the NAVC has launched 5 new courses related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) on its virtual learning platform, VetFolio. Titled “Building Bridges: Foundations of DEIB in Veterinary Medicine,” the programming is a part of the NAVC’s continued commitment to a more inclusive veterinary profession. Individual course topics include communicating across cultures, purposeful leadership, unconscious bias, understanding transgender experiences in veterinary medicine, and psychological health and safety. Take the courses at go.navc.com/4fNKfGT.