Recently, it has been reported that about one third of domestic cats in Japan are obese, and that such obesity tends to be associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. We therefore surveyed the attitude of pet owner’s to feline obesity and measured the degree of obesity using a Feline Body Mass Index (FBMI^TM) table based on data for the cat’s waist circumference (α) and the length from the stifle to the hock joint (β). The results revealed that owners considered chubby cats to be more appealing, and that 43% of all cats were obese with an average fat ratio of 29.7% (standard average was 21%) based on the FBMI^TM table. In view of these results, we considered that owners would notice feline obesity visually, and accordingly devised a color-coded FBMI^TM tape measure that would be useful for indicating the degree of obesity. We used a commercial tape measure graduated in centimeters on both sides, and colored it with 8 shades every 2 cm on both the α and β sides respectively, and on the X and Y axes of the FBMI^TM table bearing the same 8 colors. In a survey of α and β, the same color indicated the normal standard: for a body fat ratio of 21%, using the different colors, it was possible to calculate that one single color ( 2 cm) is equivalent to a body fat ratio of ± 3 %. As owners can also judge a cat as lying within the range of normal body shape, obese or thin by checking the color, it is anticipated that this new FBMI^TM tape measure will be useful for prevention and resolution of obesity based on the owners’ high level of appraisal.

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This study explored frequently used English vocabulary by adopting a corpus approach for the purpose of developing lists of words and expressions for English conversation. English word lists or practical English expressions, some of which are corpus-based, are available in some books for medical science students, however, there are few corpus-based textbooks available for veterinary nursing students. Compiling a ‘Veterinary Nursing Corpus’ from a transcribed conversation in a MF Animal Hospital Report involved extracting frequently used words by KH coder and translating them into English. There were 1545 different word types in the compiled corpus and the total word token was 6653 words. Based on the word list and the results of a questionnaire completed by active veterinary nurses as well as former nurses, expressions for English conversation were extracted and translated into English. The results of this study identify the possibility of compiling a larger scale parallel veterinary nursing corpus, and suggest how those corpora can be made use of in actual English classes for veterinary nursing students.

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Several studies proposing axillary and auricular temperature measurements as alternatives to rectal temperature measurement for dogs have been examined. However, to date the reliability of these data has not been fully proven. To address this deficit, this study computed the correlation between the rectal and axillary temperatures of two hundred (200) dogs with the aim of examining the validity of using axillary temperature measurement as an alternative means to rectal temperature measurement for dogs. The axillary and rectal temperatures were measured simultaneously and recorded for each dog as well as the pulse rate; respiration rate; breed; length of hair coat; age and sex; body weight; Body condition score; and the adhesion of feces to the probe cover, all of which could be influential to the values measured. The results showed a significant correlation between the axillary and rectal temperatures taken. The regression line was expressed in y=0.9676x +1.3621(r² =0.7775, p<0.001). In the range of the normal rectal temperature (from 37.5 to 39.0 degrees centigrade), the data to which the degree 0.15 to 0.10 was added to the axillary temperature showed almost the same values compared to that measured at the rectal position. These results showed that the temperatures were not affected by the other various factors recorded except the specific breed factor and age factor. The findings of this study suggest that axillary temperature measurement can be the legitimate substitute for rectal temperature measurement as a common clinical method.

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In recent years, the concepts of animal protection and welfare have become widely recognized in Japan, and further alternative approaches for animals will be required in veterinary nursing education programs. However, few reports have focused on products that address the need for alternative animal intravenous infusion models designed for student training programs, which are needed in order for veterinary nurses to acquire the necessary skills for use in the field. We investigated the necessity and usefulness of an alternative animal transfusion model for training of veterinary nursing students employing low-cost and easy-to-obtain materials. The results of a questionnaire survey we conducted indicated that the use of such models for veterinary nursing education is highly important. We were able to resolve the problem of leakage of infusion fluid from a simulated blood vessel that was noted with the former model, making it possible to repeat the exercise with our new model and thus to increase the concentration of student training. Although the model is not as real as using dogs, we think that that education using this alternative animal model simulation is very important for grasping the procedure and actual situation encountered in the field. This approach not only teaches the technique, but also improves the motivation of students, and helps to boost involvement with veterinary nursing.

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Deodorant efficacy of a hair coat care product for dogs,‘Best Friends Treatment-Mist-Type’(Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) was evaluated for stench after anal sac expression in 114 dogs. Odor intensity around the anus after anal sac expression was significantly more intense (p<0.0001) than that before the expression. After spraying the test product, odors were significantly less intense (p<0.0001) than after anal sac expression. Results show that the product is useful as a stench deodorant after anal sac expression in dogs.

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