Nursing the Feline Patient

Nursing the Feline Patient is a comprehensive and accessible clinical manual addressing the unique nursing needs of cats. Covering all aspects of feline nursing care from the examination room to the surgical suite, the book highlights the special considerations for cat patients throughout. Written specifically for veterinary technicians and nurses, topics range from restraint, preventative care, and laboratory procedures to surgery, dentistry, and specific diseases of concern. Carefully designed for easy reference, chapters are logically organized into sections on patient management, diagnostics, surgery and recovery, and major diseases by body system. Each chapter begins with an overview of the anatomy and physiology required for a full understanding of the disease. Nursing the Feline Patient is an essential resource for veterinary technicians working with feline patients. Key features Offers complete coverage on providing cats with high–quality veterinary care as a technician or nurse Addresses the unique aspects of feline nursing throughout Encompasses patient management, diagnostics, surgery and recovery, and major diseases Designed specifically for veterinary technicians and nurses seeking thorough information on working with cats in the clinical setting Includes access to a companion website with review questions and answers, clinical cases, and images in PowerPoint at www.wiley.com/go/schmeltzer

Editors viii Contributors ix Preface x Section 1: Patient Management 1 Patient History and Physical Examination Nicole Atkens Humphreys 3 2 Restraint Linda E. Schmeltzer 7 3 Environmental Enrichment in the Hospital Gary D. Norsworthy and Linda E. Schmeltzer 12 4 Preventive Health Programs Linda E. Schmeltzer 18 5 Gestation, Parturition, and Neonatal Care Linda E. Schmeltzer 21 6 Geriatric Care Karen M. Lovelace 24 Section 2: Diagnostics 7 Diagnostic Imaging of the Feline Patient Judith Hudson and Merrilee Holland 31 8 Venipuncture and Cystocentesis Karen M. Lovelace 66 9 Cytology J. Scot Estep 70 10 In–Office Methodology and Quality Assurance Assessment Craig M. Tockman 80 11 Interpretation of Common Feline Laboratory Values Keith DeJong 90 12 Hematology Laura V. Lane and Rick L. Cowell 97 Section 3: Surgery and Recovery 13 Anesthesia: Sedation and General Ludovic Pelligand 113 14 Surgical Preparation Eric Schmeltzer 119 15 Anesthetic Monitoring of the Feline Patient Susan Bryant 121 16 Pain Assessment and Management Susan Bryant 129 17 Postoperative Care Linda E. Schmeltzer 136 18 Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Barbara Bockstahler and David Levine 138 19 Dentistry and Dental Radiography Diana Eubanks 145 Section 4: Major Diseases of the Cat 20 Cardiology Gary D. Norsworthy 155 21 Dermatology Gary D. Norsworthy 164 22 Diseases of the Digestive System Linda E. Schmeltzer and Gary D. Norsworthy 172 23 Endocrine Diseases Linda E. Schmeltzer 178 24 Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Teija Kaarina Viita–aho 182 25 Feline Infectious Peritonitis Linda E. Schmeltzer 185 26 Feline Leukemia Virus Diseases Linda E. Schmeltzer 189 27 Parasitology Teija Kaarina Viita–aho 195 28 Respiratory Diseases Linda E. Schmeltzer 204 29 Toxicoses Sharon Fooshee Grace 208 30 Urinary Tract Diseases Linda E. Schmeltzer and Gary D. Norsworthy 213 Index 219 Clinical cases, Q&As for downloading, and images from the book in PowerPoint are available for download at www.wiley.com/go/schmeltzernorsworthy

Linda E. Schmeltzer , RVT, is the head technician at Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio, Texas. Gary D. Norsworthy , DVM, DABVP (Feline), is the owner and head veterinarian at the Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio, Texas.

“This reference is an excellent value for the money and will provide practical everyday assistance for veterinary technicians who work with cats. ”  ( Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association , 16 September 2012) “A must have if you are serious about cats.”  ( Vet Nurses Today , 1November  2012)