It certainly is true that as I get older, the years go by faster! And this new year (like each) brings change. The team at Today’s Veterinary Nurse is always working to improve the education and learning in each part of our journal. To stay innovative for our readers, each issue in 2025 will feature emerging topics, skill checks, and parasites of concern in each U.S. region. Additionally, we know the importance of continuing education (CE). To this end, TVN is now providing expanded CE offerings in each issue. As we enter 2025, we offer a CE article discussing periodontal disease in dogs and cats to prepare for National Pet Dental Health Month in February. Additionally, we know that feline patients differ greatly from our canine patients—thus, our offering outlining care for critically ill cats. I hope you enjoy this issue and the changes it brings to allow yourself to learn and progress. After all, progress is impossible without change!
What We’re Reading
In each issue, a member of our Editorial Advisory Board shares a recent open-access publication, including their key takeaways and its practical conclusion.
A Canine’s Behavior and Cognitive State as It Relates to Immobility and the Success of Physical Rehabilitation in the Non-ambulatory Spinal Cord Patient
Thomovsky SA, Ogata N
doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.599320
WHAT WAS INVESTIGATED? This publication explores barriers that affect the biopsychosocial wellbeing of canine patients suffering and/or healing from a spinal cord injury, and how they could influence the physical rehabilitation (PR) plan and its success.
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED?
- Biopsychosocial factors act like barriers to healing and rehabilitation success.
- Attention to changes of behavior and cognitive states in canines with medical illnesses/injuries has become more prevalent.
- The patient’s human family is also affected in the process of PR.
- The human physical therapy (PT) “flag system” could be adapted to objectively assess canine patients with spinal cord injury for PR outcomes.
TAKE-HOME POINTS
- Biologic, psychologic, and social factors should be considered in a PR plan.
- The social aspect of patients with spinal cord injury should be weighed carefully and cautiously as they can suffer from caregiver burden/burnout.
- Replicating the human PT “flag system” may be beneficial in veterinary PR.
— Jessica Bowditch, RVT, CCRP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)
More from the NAVC
Introducing NAVC SkillShop
NAVC SkillShop, formerly known as the NAVC Institute, offers the opportunity to obtain hands-on skills training from world-renowned presenters. Small classroom sizes mean personalized instruction, allowing you to develop expertise in your topic of study. Grow your toolkit and join us May 25-30 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, for a week of immersive hands-on learning for veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, and practice managers. Course topics range from anesthesia to leadership skills for personal and professional development. Learn more and register at go.navc.com/40sM5sc.