Table Of ContentN
Nursing the
u Nursing the
r
s
Feline Patient i
n
g
t
h Feline Patient
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Nursing the Feline Patient is a comprehensive and accessible clinical manual addressing the unique nursing needs F
of cats. Covering all aspects of feline nursing care from the examination room to the surgical suite, the book e
highlights the special considerations for cat patients throughout. Written specifically for veterinary technicians l
and nurses, topics range from restraint, preventative care, and laboratory procedures to surgery, dentistry, and i
n
specific diseases of concern.
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Carefully designed for easy reference, chapters are logically organized into sections on patient management, EDITED BY
diagnostics, surgery and recovery, and major diseases by body system. Each chapter begins with an overview P
LINDA E. SCHMELTZER AND GARY D. NORSWORTHY
of the anatomy and physiology required for a full understanding of the disease. Nursing the Feline Patient is an
a
essential resource for veterinary technicians working with feline patients.
t
Key features i
e
• Offers complete coverage on providing cats with high-quality veterinary care as a technician or nurse n
• Addresses the unique aspects of feline nursing throughout t
• Encompasses patient management, diagnostics, surgery and recovery, and major diseases
• D esigned specifically for veterinary technicians and nurses seeking thorough information on working with
cats in the clinical setting
• I ncludes access to a companion website with review questions and answers, clinical cases, and images in
PowerPoint at www.wiley.com/go/schmeltzer
The editors
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Linda E. Schmeltzer, RVT, is the head technician at Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio, Texas. C
N
H
Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline), is the owner and head veterinarian at the Alamo Feline Health OM
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Center in San Antonio, Texas.
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S
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Related Titles T
OZ
Clinical Small Animal Care: Fluid Therapy for Veterinary The Feline Patient, Fourth Edition RE
Promoting Patient Health Technicians and Nurses Edited by Gary D. Norsworthy, Sharon TR
H A
through Preventative Nursing By Charlotte Donohoe Fooshee Grace, Mitchell A. Crystal,
YN
By Kimm Wuestenberg 9780813814841 and Larry P. Tilley
D
9780813805146 9780813818481
ISBN: 978-0-4709-5901-5
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell www.wiley.com/go/schmeltzer
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Nursing the Feline Patient
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Nursing the Feline Patient
Editors
Linda E. Schmeltzer, RVT
Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline)
A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication
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This edition first published 2012 © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Wiley-Blackwell is an imprint of John Wiley & Sons, formed by the merger of Wiley’s global Scientific,
Technical and Medical business with Blackwell Publishing.
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Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand
names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered
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in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged
in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services
of a competent professional should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Nursing the feline patient / editors, Linda E. Schmeltzer, Gary D. Norsworthy.
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-95901-5 (pbk. : alk. paper)
I. Schmeltzer, Linda E. II. Norsworthy, Gary D.
[DNLM: 1. Cat Diseases–nursing. 2. Animal Technicians. SF 985]
636.8′0896–dc23
2011036439
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not
be available in electronic books.
Set in 8/10pt Palatino by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India
1 2012
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Dedications
Linda E. Schmeltzer
I would like to dedicate this book to all veterinary technicians, formally trained or trained on the job, who are always interested in furthering their
education and knowledge of the patients in their care.
To my husband, Eric, thank you for believing in me. To my sweet Katlyn, thank you for reminding me to take time out to be silly. To my mom and
sister, you helped me more than you will ever know.
I am blessed to work with an awesome team of people everyday. Thank you for your dedication and for making work fun.
Dr. Norsworthy, my boss and coeditor, thank you for trusting me to lead your technician team. I’ve learned so much from you and have truly enjoyed
sharing this project with you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Gary D. Norsworthy
I would like to dedicate this book to the technicians who have made the rigors of private practice efficient and enjoyable for me and my colleagues. I
would like to specifically mention Linda Schmeltzer, my head technician for over 10 years and my coeditor, and Emily Boulet, my personal technician
for the last 2 years. Both of you have allowed me to concentrate on patient care at the veterinarian’s level knowing that the details of patient care would
be handled by you. I hope that my colleagues have technicians who are as efficient, competent, and fun to work with as these two special ladies.
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Contents
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.
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Editors
Linda E. Schmeltzer, RVT Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline)
Head Technician Chief of Staff
Alamo Feline Health Center Alamo Feline Health Center
San Antonio, Texas San Antonio, Texas
Adjunct Professor
College of Veterinary Medicine
Mississippi State University
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