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ABILITY MODEL, Key: Physical factors:(highlighted rectangle)
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ABILITY MODEL
Breathing
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The owner can monitor the respiratory rate at home if needed. This is a very good idea with heart disease, as the vet can gauge an idea of the resting respiratory rate at home.
Is the patient cyanotic? Oxygen therapy needs to be started straight away and if a small patient the oxygen tent must be used.
Is the dog a brachycephalic breed? Ideally, if operating, oxygen therapy will be needed before and after surgery.
Is the cat mouth breathing? Has the cat been involved in an road traffic accident? Does oxygen therapy need to be started?
Stressed patients may have an increased respiratory rate. All effort should be made to help reduce stress. Covering kennels, using pet remedy, giving cat places to hide etc.
Eat Adequately
Decreased eating may also be down to dental disease including gingivitis, broken and missing teeth. Both cats and dogs may be seen pawing at their face.
Cats who have cat- flu will generally not want to eat as their sense of smell will be reduced. Slightly warming food for a few seconds in the microwave may help to increase the cats appetite.
Can the patient physically eat ok? Has the patient been in a road traffic accident? Is the mouth wired because of trauma? A feeding tube may need to be placed and maintained.
Eating preferences may need to be checked with the owner. The patient may be used to eating from a certain type of bowl, wet/ dry food or only eating at a certain time of the day.
Stressed patients will generally not want to eat. Tempting to eat with various smelly foods can help increases appetite, but medication may need to be prescribed by the vet if appetite does not resume to normal.
Drink Adequatley
Is the patient drinking excessively? Bloods may need to be taken to check for any conditions that may be present.
Certain conditions will limit the amount of fluids that can be administered. This must be checked with the vet on duty. Bloods may need to be taken.
If owners can calculate fluid intake at home, this can be very beneficial for certain conditions such as diabetes.
Is the patient dehydrated? Are their gums tachy? Fluid therapy will be needed. The fluid rate may need to be adjusted depending on the rate of dehydration.
Stress can also lead to a patient drinking more or less. ie. A stressed cat may not want to come out from hiding.
Grooming
Cats love to stay clean and will groom themselves often. Patients with buster collars, feeding tubes or cat flu will appreciate being cleaned with warm, wet cotton wool around their eyes, mouth and face.
If a patient is seen not physically able to groom themselves or clean themselves after toileting, help should be given. Bathes may be needed, if tolerated.
Owners should be spoken to, to see if grooming and bathing is tolerated and if they are able to do this at home.
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Over weight patients and the arthritic may not be able to groom their back ends easily. Shaving/ de- matting may be needed to help the patient feel more comfortable.
Urination
Can the patient urinate without increased effort? Overweight cats are more susceptible to urinary blockages. Ultrasound scans will need to be performed and a urinary catheter placed.
Patients staying in hospital may develop urine scalding if sitting in urine for periods of time. Patients should be monitored and bathed if needed. Old and arthritic patients may struggle with this, so extra checks may be needed throughout the day.
Is the patient urinating little and often? An infection may be present, so urine tests will need to be performed to determine what medication is needed.
Checking with the owner whether certain cat litters are used at home will be beneficial in helping a cat to urinate whilst in hospital.
Defecate
It is worth remembering that if the patient is not eating alot then defecation is going to be reduced.
Is the patient straining to defecate? Blood may be noticed in the stools and the stools may be hard and dark in colour. If constipated, the patient may not want to eat normally, so laxatives may need to be prescribed by the vet.
Has the owner noticed changes in defecating at home? Have they noticed the dog eating or swallowing something they shouldn't have? ie. a possible foreign body or possible toxin.
Has the patient got diarrhoea? Dogs will need to go out to the toilet more frequently and cats litter trays may need to be changed more often too.
Sleep/ Rest
Speak with the owner to see if the patient is generally quite active or lazy and what their sleep pattern is like at home.
After an anesthetic the patient will be very sleepy for a number of hours. Make sure rest is given to help aid recovery
Stressed patients may want to sleep more or less during their visit. If a patient is sleeping, it is best to leave them and come back later if a check is needed.
Being able to sleep and rest is a huge part of recovery. Making sure the patient sees normal day light hours and then darkness to rest can help to mimic the day/ night.
Maintain Body Temp
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During surgery temperature cannot be maintained. Heat must be provided to the patient and temperature monitored closely.
Is the patient able to maintain their own body temperature? Neonates are particularly at risk of hyperthermia. Using blankets, heat pads, hot hands etc will help to keep the temperature up.
Mobilise
Is the patient arthritic? Is walking difficult? Walking aids/ slings may be needed to help dogs out to urinate. Low/ shallow litter trays may be needed for cats. Using orthopedic bedding will help to reduce pressure sores and joint pain.
Has the patient had an epidural following major surgery? Walking aids will be needed for several hours after administration. The patient may also be in a bit of distress.
Checking whether the owner has the patient on any medication at home for mobility issues as this may contraindicate medication being prescribed by the vet in hospital.
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Key: Physical factors:(highlighted rectangle)
Behavioural factors: (highlighted oblong)
Owner related factors: (not highlighted)
The Ability Model
The ability model is a specific veterinary nursing model that was developed and influenced by the work of Roper, Logan and Tierney. The assessment used using this model is based around 'abilities' of an animal being nursed in hospital. 10 abilities were selected as the base requirements for an animal to be able to function normally. Using this nursing model alongside the nursing process, will help to deliver a high standard of individual care whilst in hospital.
Unfortunately, cultural beliefs, financial issues and owner compliance will all contribute to the nursing models partial failure.