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The emerging world of the animal hospice 
Kathleen Cooney
Dr Kathleen Cooney set up a full end of life service in her native Colorado.

Dr Kathleen Cooney discusses hospice care

Dr Kathleen Cooney, president of the International Association of Animal Hospices and Palliative Care (IAAHPC), spoke to London Vet Show delegates about what hospice care is and how it has developed in the United States.

Realising that pet owners were often afraid, unsupported and alone when their pet was dying, she decided to reach out to these owners earlier and set up a full 'end of life' service in her native Colorado.

It has taken time for the hospice movement to grow - 2008 saw the first veterinary hospice conference in California and in 2009 the IAAHPC was launched.

The term 'hospice' describes a philosophy of care for a dying animal and the comfort and care that begins when there is a terminal diagnosis.

Currently, few pets or owners receive support from their practices between the giving of medication for a terminal illness and the pet either dying at home or being brought in for euthanasia.

Hospice care covers all the stages in the pet's decline, providing palliative care, natural death support, euthanasia, pet loss support and body care.

The IAAHPC provide guidelines for hospice care, covering these five important areas: the non-curative medical comfort of palliative care, the understanding of the physiology of death, the skills required to achieve a humane assisted death, support for the family before during and after the pet's death and a full understanding of all the options for body care and disposal.

This lecture opened up an area of the veterinary surgeon's work that is often not freely discussed and raised issues regarding how clients need to be supported and educated.

Many practices carry out parts of the hospice work in excellent ways but currently there is little in the way of a comprehensive support system for the pet and owner during what is a sad and stressful time in the pet-owner relationship.

Image courtesy of London Vet Show

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.