2022 Veterinary Nurse Technician of the Year Awards

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CONCLUSION Using a combination of clinical signs, advanced imaging and validated growth hormone testing, a diabetic cat that shows an increased resistance to insulin can be considered as having hypersomatotropism. Radiation therapy is considered the most common treatment form but is not as successful in resolving overproduction of IGF-1 as is surgical treatment. With surgery and postoperative care from a well-established team, recovery with a decrease in serum GH and IGF-1 levels and diabetic remission rates have been recorded above 80%, with an average survival rate of approximately 850 days.7

1-Feldman E, Nelson R et al. Ch 2. – Disorders of growth hormone. Canine and feline endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders, Missouri. 2015:37–72. 2-Sanders K, Galac S. Pituitary tumour types in dogs and cats. Veterinary Journal. 2021;270:105623. 3- Rijnberk A, Kooistra H. Clinical hypothalmus – Pituitary system. Clinical Endocrinology of Dogs and Cats, Schluterche, Germany. 2010:13–45. 4- Nelson R, Couto G. Ch 49 – Disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Small Animal Internal Medicine. 5th ed. Elsevier, Missouri. 2014:713–726. 5-Niessen SMJ, Petrie F. Feline acromegaly: An underdiagnosed endocrinopathy. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2007;21(5):899–905. 6- Raiman Y. Reference range of the IGF-1. Utrecht University. 2014. 7-Kenny P et al. Efficacy of hypophysectomy for the treatment of hypersomatotropism. JVM. 2021:16080. 8-Wormhoudt T, Boss M et al. Stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of functional pituitary adenomas associated with feline acromegaly. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2018:15212. 9-Magno S, Van Rijn S. Plasma sodium and potassium concentrations after hypophysectomies in dogs with corticotroph adenomas. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2021:16337. 10-DiBartola S. Fluid, electrolyte and acid base disorders in small animal practice. Ch 3. – Disorders of sodium and water: Hypernatremia and hyponatremia. 4th ed. Elsevier, Missouri, 2012;4:45–75.

We are thrilled at how our community came together and promoted the VNCA values of Inclusiveness, Integrity, Inspiration, and Innovation for our inaugural Veterinary Nurse & Technician Awareness Week held in October 2022. The week was a wonderful way to show our vet nurses and technicians how important they are to our industry and how much we appreciate them. The week culminated with our notable Appreciation Day on Friday 14 October with workplaces across the country honouring and celebrating their staff with lunch and gifts. Additionally, the VNCA was pleased to announce the two winners of this year’s awards: Anita Parkin – Veterinary Nurse/ Technician of the Year, and Kristie Wallis – Student Veterinary Nurse/Technician of the Year.

Both have shown a great commitment to our industry and continue to inspire our community to evolve, grow and live by our values. Congratulations once again to Anita and Kristie – we look forward to formally presenting you both with your awards at next year’s conference. The VNCA also gratefully VETERINARY NURSE acknowledges the support of our sponsor of the 2022 Veterinary Nurse/ Technician of the Year Awards