Nursing Brachycephalics
An eight week online tutored CPD course with Alison, Katie, Lisa, Lydia and Sian
Week 1
An Introduction to Brachycephalics
- Brachycephalic anatomy basics
- Breeds commonly affected
- Recent increase in popularity and the effects on the breed
- Co-morbidities commonly seen in brachycephalics
- Communication with owners
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Recognise and discuss the anatomy of a brachycephalic patient
- Understand the causes that can be attributed to clinical signs often displayed by patients suffering with BOAS
- Identify co-morbidities often diagnosed in brachycephalic patients
- Understand when and why communication with owners about brachycephalic pet ownership is vital
- Understand the Cambridge BOAS assessment
Week 2
Brachy Breathing – Crisis and Management
- Triage
- Respiratory sounds
- Blood gas analysis
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Oxygen therapy
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand how to triage the brachycephalic patient
- Recognise the difference between the various respiratory sounds
- Identify the uses of blood gas analysis in respiratory conditions
- Understand available treatments for aspiration pneumonia
- Explain the different methods of providing oxygen therapy
Week 3
It’s a Hot Topic – Heatstroke Management
- Heatstroke identification
- Treatment options
- Recovery process
- Risks and complications
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Identify a patient at risk of heatstroke
- Explain how to care for the hot brachycephalic
- Understand the risks associated with heatstroke
- List the clinical signs to look out for in a recovering heatstroke patient
- Describe treatments for the recovering heatstroke patient with a secondary condition
Week 4
Brachycephalic Anaesthesia
- Balanced anaesthesia plans
- Anaesthetic equipment
- Anaesthetic monitoring
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand how to perform a pre-anaesthetic evaluation
- Design a patient specific anaesthesia plan, to include – premedication, induction, maintenance, and other medications to support the brachycephalic patient in the peri-anaesthesia period
- Understand the approach to monitoring the brachycephalic patient under anaesthesia
Week 5
Managing a Difficult Airway
- Pre-anaesthetic airway compromise and signs of potential difficult airways
- Intubations, including tips and equipment aids
- Ways to assist patient recovery from anaesthesia
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Evaluate a patient prior to anaesthesia to determine severity of airway compromise
- Identify the clinical signs to alert the anaesthetist to a potential difficult airway prior to induction
- List the different intubation aids and how to maximise successful intubations, to maintain oxygenation and minimise hypoxia
- Understand how we can assist recoveries in the brachycephalic patient to achieve extubation and reduce incidence of post anaesthesia respiratory obstruction
Week 6
Head and Neck Surgery
- Preparing the patient for surgery
- Surgical techniques to correct common conditions – stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, everted palatine tonsils, skin fold resection and tracheotomy/tracheostomy
- Surgical techniques for conditions affecting the eyes – canthoplasty, grafting for ulceration, entropion etc.
- Instrumentation
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Prepare the patient for a range of procedures, including preparation of skin, eyes and mucous membranes
- Correctly position patients for a range of surgical procedures involving the head and neck
- Understand the most common surgical procedures, and explain these to owners
- Tailor a post-operative care plan for each individual patient
Week 7
All the Other Problems Not in the Head and Neck!
- Preparing the patient for surgery
- Surgical techniques for a range of common conditions including caesarean sections, fracture repairs (humeral condyle), hiatus hernia, screw tail, hemilaminectomy and pulmonic stenosis
- Instrumentation
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Prepare theatre and the patient for a range of surgical procedures
- Understand the most common surgical procedures, and explain these to owners
- Tailor a post-operative care plan for each individual patient
- Identify common surgical instruments and understand their use
Week 8
Ophthalmology
- Corneal ulceration, exposure keratopathy and corneal pigmentation
- Corneal sequestrum in cats
- Entropion and ectropion
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
- Tear overflow and staining
- Proptosis
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Explain the common ocular conditions in the brachycephalic patient
- Understand the treatment options for the above conditions
- Feel more confident when nursing the ophthalmic patient and what specific considerations to bear in mind
CPD Course Content
Modules
Status
1
Welcome
2
Week 1 - An Introduction to Brachycephalics Available on: 02/09/2024 12:00 am
3
Week 2 - Brachy Breathing: Crisis and Management Available on: 09/09/2024 12:00 am
4
Week 3 - It's a Hot Topic: Heatstroke Management Available on: 16/09/2024 12:00 am
5
Week 4 - Brachycephalic Anaesthesia Available on: 23/09/2024 12:00 am
6
Week 5 - Managing a Difficult Airway Available on: 30/09/2024 12:00 am
7
Week 6 - Head and Neck Surgery Available on: 07/10/2024 12:00 am
8
Week 7 - All the Other Problems Not in the Head and Neck! Available on: 14/10/2024 12:00 am
9
Week 8 - Ophthalmology Available on: 21/10/2024 12:00 am
10