Urine Trouble: The VN’s Role with the Blocked Cat

4 hours of In-Person CPD suitable for RVNs, Student Vets & Vets!

In Person Event: Urine Trouble: The VN’s Role with the Blocked Cat

Venue: Ness Botanic Gardens, The University of Liverpool, Neston Rd, Little Neston, Ness CH64 4AY

Times: 09:00 – 13:30 (arrival from 08:45)

Ticket price includes entry to Ness Botanic Gardens and Light Refreshments 

Kindly Sponsored by:

Event Running Order:

Speakers:

Michelle Moran RVN VNCertECC VTS Anesthesia & Analgesia

Michelle has been qualified for almost 20 years and has worked within various practice settings during this time including charity, emergency and exotics. She currently works at NWVS and has been here as an anaesthesia nurse for almost 10 years.

Michelle gained her VTS in A&A in 2019 and has since written course material for various CPD companies and spoken at national conferences.

Triage, Identification & Stabilisation

The presenting signs of a blocked cat can sometimes be vague & the stabilisation of these patients can be really challenging. In this session we will look at how to quickly identify & stabilise these patients when they present including fluid therapy, electrolytes & ECG interpretation.

Learning Points:

• Recognise the clinical signs of urethral obstruction.
• Identify electrolyte imbalances & ECG changes that may threaten life.
• Know how to stabilise these patients before anaesthesia.

Anaesthesia, Monitoring & Nursing Care

Anaesthetising the blocked cat is a high risk but necessary event. During this session we will look at ways to optimise a good outcome & deal with the possible challenges you may face. We will also look at the monitoring & nursing care once catheterisation has been successful.

Learning Points:

• Learn the most effective monitoring techniques during anaesthesia.
• Learn what techniques & catheterisation options there are.
• Understand how to monitor these patients closely post catheterisation.

Georgia Woods-Lee BSc(Hons) RVN, Cert CFVHNut, VTS (Nutrition)

Georgia Woods-Lee qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2004. In 2015, Georgia joined the ROYAL CANIN® Obesity Care Clinic at the University of Liverpool, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, where she is now dealing exclusively with pet obesity care and nutrition.

Georgia was awarded her Certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition in 2017, the American Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in nutrition certificate in 2019 , and her BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing (Top-up) degree in 2022.

In 2023 Georgia was appointed as clinical lead for the Obesity Care Clinic and an academic researcher whilst also working towards a PhD in pet obesity.

More Than Just a Weighty Issue: Obesity and Urinary Health in Cats

Urinary disease and Obesity are common in cats, and both diseases pose serious health risks. This session examines the connection between obesity and urinary diseases such as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), highlighting how excess weight (especially in less mobile pets) worsens these conditions. It will also address prevention strategies, early detection of obesity and urinary disease, and dietary management for affected pets. Understanding these relationships helps improve patient health and quality of life.

Learning Points:

• Explain the relationship between obesity and urinary tract diseases in cats, including FLUTD and FIC.
• Identify risk factors by which excess body weight and reduced mobility contribute to urinary disease development and severity.
• Recognize early clinical signs of obesity and obesity-associated urinary disorders in feline patients.
• Apply effective prevention and management strategies, including dietary and weight-management approaches, for cats affected by both obesity and urinary disease.

Joy Shutt BSc(Hons) C-SQP RVN Cert&DipNCS(RVNCons)                                                                           

Joy qualified in 2019, becoming the Head Nurse at her current practice in North Wales in 2023. She has a diploma in veterinary nurse consulting, with her passions including feline health and behaviour, senior pet care, anaesthesia and surgery. Joy is a course assessor for Colourful CPD, mentoring vet nurses through their consulting qualifications, alongside studying a feline behaviour course with International Cat Care. She also organises and hosts regional and online CPD events as a volunteer BVNA Advocate.

Preventing Recurrence: a Behavioural Case Study 

Veterinary nurses can be instrumental in the aftercare of cats experiencing urethral blockage. This session will look at how stress can affect the occurrence of feline idiopathic cystitis and how veterinary nurses can support the caregiver in addressing stress at home.  We will look at a case study to illustrate all the points at which the VN can make an impact on the outcome of these cases.  

Learning Points:

• Explore the link between feline behaviour and feline idiopathic cystitis.
• Develop an approach to explore the cat’s environmental and behavioural needs.
• Understand how, through use of a case study, veterinary nurses can have an impact on the holistic management of urinary cases.

BVNA Advocate: Joy Shutt BSc(Hons) RVN C-SQP Cert&DipNCS(RVNCons) Joy is part of a team of BVNA Advocates, organising CPD for veterinary nurses, both online and in and around North Wales.  She is the Head Nurse in a first opinion practice, with a diploma in veterinary nurse consulting.  She enjoys everything cats, nurse clinics, anaesthesia and minor surgical procedures, advocating for effective nurse utilisation. Joy is a veterinary nurse course assessor for Colourful CPD and she is also starting a volunteer role with The Cinnamon Trust in 2025.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us; cpd@bvna.co.uk

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