Top Tips
In this section of the website you’ll find an ever-increasing series of Top Tips for your veterinary practice. They are designed to help you in everyday practice and add value for both you and your clients.
Tips range across all areas of our service. If you have a tip which you need more information on, please do not hesitate to contact us and we’d be more than happy to provide more information or chat with you.
.jpg "Top Tip 16 - ECG pads revisited")
In an earlier tip we investigated placement of ECG pads for high quality ECG traces. In this video tip we briefly review placement of ECG pads for continual in-clinic monitoring. 
More
.jpg "Top Tip 15 - Easier 24 hour Holter monitor fitting now available")
24 ECG monitoring has been available from SARC for some time. We now have a range of breathable neoprene jackets especially made for Holter monitoring. More
.jpg "Top Tip 14 - Avoiding oesophageal strictures")
Oesophageal strictures are an uncommon but serious disorder in dogs and cats which can be challenging to manage. Fortunately there are simple strategies which can minimise the possibility of a stricture. More
.jpg "Top Tip 13 - Needle tracheotomies")
Upper airway obstructions are not seen every day, even in emergency centres. However, clinicians need to move fast when such a case presents. Not every clinic keeps a tracheostomy tube on hand for the once-in-a-blue-moon case. Fortunately there is a practical, readily available alternative. More
.jpg "Top Tip 12 - Medicine - Which anti-ulcer medication to choose?")
Inhibiting gastric acid secretion is of fundamental importance in the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulceration whether it is secondary to gastrointestinal or metabolic causes or a consequence of steroid or NSAID therapy. Commonly used drugs include H2 receptors blockers (eg ranitidine, famotidine, cimetidine) or proton pump inhibitors (eg omeprazole). But which is the best “anti-ulcer” medication? More
.jpg "Top Tip 11 - Getting more from a combined surgical and physiotherapy approach")
If you’ve ever personally had a cruciate repair or knee reconstruction, you’ll know that recovery was far from over when you woke up from the anaesthetic… More
.jpg "Top Tip 10 - IVDD and neurologic injury – Should I reach for the steroids?")
There are a number of arguments both for and against using corticosteroids in patients with intervertebral disc disease and neurologic injury. Here’s a quick glance at the potential pros and cons of corticosteroid use in your patients. More
.jpg "Top Tip 9 - Emergency - Oesophageal Foreign Bodies")
All suspected oesophageal foreign body cases we see receive a radiograph as the front line diagnostic after physical exam. However, not all oesophageal foreign bodies show up on radiograph. More
.jpg "Top Tip 8 - Cardiology - Atropine Response Test")
An atropine test is one of the tests we use at SARC in the cardiorespiratory department to fully diagnose the cause of bradycardia. It is a straightforward test and can be performed in your own practice.
All you need is a functional ECG, atropine and the following guidelines.
More
.jpg "Top Tip 7 - Laryngeal Paralysis")
Canine acquired laryngeal paralysis is a well-recognised cause of upper respiratory stridor and dyspnoea and is not an uncommon presentation to primary care practitioners. Laryngeal paralysis was once thought to be an isolated problem, however several studies suggest that laryngeal paralysis may be one manifestation of a generalised muscle disorder. More
.jpg "Top Tip 6 - Emergency - Utilising the best of your local emergency centre")
Many pets come to emergency centres for full workup and treatment, but there are many situations where you can utilise the expertise or diagnostic facilities of an emergency centre while still running the case. Here’s a few ways that some primary care clinics get the best of both worlds. More
.jpg "Top Tip 5 - Cardiology - Better ECG Traces")
Recording and ECG should be easy and indeed it is extremely straightforward with just a couple of simple guidelines depending on the situation. More
.jpg "Top Tip 4 - Physiotherapy - Making a Good Recovery a Great Recovery")
It is commonly accepted that some form of rehabilitation is now a necessary part of recovery following orthopaedic or neurological injury, surgery or degenerative conditions. To lay some groundwork, here are some general tips on when it is best to start and the types of exercises appropriate for the typical cruciate ligament and patella luxation surgery. More
.jpg "Top Tip 3 - Sweetening the Deal with your Glucometer")
Not every upgrade to a clinic’s in house laboratory capability needs to be through the purchase of expensive equipment. Many clinics have long had access to the humble in-house glucometer and we often reach for simple diagnostics as a first step in even the most complicated cases. Sometimes comprehensive blood screens are not available instantaneously so information from in-house diagnostics is particularly useful. More
.jpg "Top Tip 2 - Emergency - Heat Stroke - Cooling your Heels")
Summer may soon be ending but clients still need to remain vigilant of conditions such as heat stroke for some time yet. Furthermore, heat stroke is a common complication of seizure activity and muscle fasciculation too, so having an emergency protocol on hand can be a life saver as the months become cooler.
Here's some handy hints to compare against your treatment protocol and a client handout to assist clients while the weather is still warm. More
.jpg "Top Tip 1 - Cardiology - Using Sleeping Respiratory Rate in Animals with Cardiac Disease")
In the Cardiorespiratory Department at SARC we regularly ask owners of animals with cardiac disease to monitor their pet’s Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR). This is a simple tool your clients can use at home as an indicator of developing pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion in dogs and cats. More
