VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

Colloid osmotic pressure: Should I use plasma or whole blood? | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts Jul 22, 2013

Show notes

Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) or oncotic pressure is a measure of water attracting force, which is due to important proteins such as albumin within the body. This is often affected with significant blood loss, loss of protein (either from lack of production or loss via the gastrointestinal tract, liver or kidneys), vascular permeability, or following massive fluid therapy. Rapid measurement in critically ill patients is important to help determine the best method of treatment (e.g., the use of crystalloids versus colloids). In this podcast, VetGirl evaluates the accuracy of testing COP on whole blood as compared to plasma.

Fluorouracil (5-FU) poisoning in dogs: A deadly topical toxin | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts Jul 15, 2013

Show notes

This VETgirl podcast reviews the dangers of fluorouracil, also referred to as 5-FU. 5-FU is a topical chemotherapeutic agent commonly prescribed for human actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinomas. When accidentally ingested by dogs and cats, this topical cream can be life-threatening as it has a very narrow margin of safety. In this VETgirl podcast, we discuss toxicosis concerns including decontamination, clinical signs, treatment options, and prognosis. When in doubt, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for life-saving advice 24/7 as needed!

Lower Motor Neuron Disease (LMND) and mechanical ventilation: Do they live? | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts Jul 08, 2013

Show notes

Lower motor nerve diseases (LMND) cause fatigue, weakness, and collapse. If severe, LMND can affect respiratory muscles, resulting in hypoventilation. In this podcast, VetGirl evaluates causes for lower motor neuron diseases, indications for mechanical ventilation/positive pressure ventilation (PPV), and the outcome of patients treated with PPV. Before putting your LMND patient on a ventilator, do you know the pros and cons?

Seizures in cats following head trauma | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts May 30, 2013

Show notes

Post-traumatic seizures (PTS) are complications that are seen following head trauma, notably resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). PTS has been well documented in human medicine, but not well documented in veterinary medicine. While we commonly warn pet owners about the risks of seizures post-trauma, how prevalent is it? In this podcast, VetGirl evaluates the risk, incidence, and treatment of cats with seizures following head trauma.

Coccygeal epidurals for feline urethral obstruction | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts May 19, 2013

Show notes

Feline urethral obstruction (FUO) is a common emergency condition seen in feline medicine. This disease is not only life-threatening, but can be painful as well. Once the acute obstruction has been relieved, the focus is often shifted to pain management to help reduce urethral spasm. In this VetGirl podcast, we evaluate the use of a new pain management technique - coccygeal epidurals - and how this easy to perform technique may benefit cats with FUO. For more information, check out our epidural video, where we walk through the steps of what you need and how to perform an epidural.

CPR updates in small amimal medicine: RECOVER Part 4 | VETgirl Veterinary Podcasts May 19, 2013

Show notes

When’s the last time you had to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a patient? Do you know all the cutting edge updates in veterinary medicine? These seven VetGirl podcasts looks at the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) updates, which assess the scientific evidence relevant to small animal CPR guidelines for dogs and cats. This podcast reviews Part 4 of the RECOVER project.

Parvovirus strain variations andamp; diagnostic testing | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts May 18, 2013

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Fluid therapy for hypotension: What bag do you grab? | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts May 18, 2013

Show notes

Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is one of the most commonly used therapies for hypotension in veterinary medicine. Despite numerous research studies, there is still a question as to what fluid type is best. Should we be reaching for crystalloids, colloids, hemoglobin oxygen carriers (HBOCs), or canine specific albumin (CSA)? In this podcast, VetGirl will evaluate the types of fluid options, indications, and clinical pearls to help you guide fluid therapy in your practice.

Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) with ivermectin toxicity in dogs : Getting the skinny on using fat! | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts May 18, 2013

Show notes

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE), otherwise known as intravenous fat emulsion (IFE), in veterinary medicine. ILE has been documented in both human and veterinary medicine as a possible antidote for fat-soluble drug toxicities such as macrocylic lactones (e.g., ivermectin, moxidectin), local anesthetics, baclofen, cholecalciferol, etc.). In this VETgirl podcast, we discuss how ILE works, what toxins it is effective for, and how to use this exciting antidote option.

Inducing vomiting in dogs and cats: Picking the right emetic agent | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts May 18, 2013

Show notes

Decontamination (which includes emesis induction, gastric lavage, and/or administration of activated charcoal) is an important step in the treatment of the poisoned veterinary patient. Before decontaminating, the pros and cons should be considered, including: the type of toxin itself, the time since ingestion, the stability of the patient, and choosing the appropriate emetic agent. When choosing to induce emesis in dogs and cats, the appropriate emetiic agent should be used (e.g., dogs: peroxide or apomorphine; cats: xylazine). In this VetGirl podcast, we answer all of these important questions to help best treat the poisoned patient.