Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (which we’re rolling into June), isn’t just about celebrating the role of qualified nurses. It’s also about raising awareness around what the job can entail and championing students currently working towards a career in veterinary nursing. Our student nurse Isobel initially started at 387 Vets volunteering for a day a week whilst studying for an Animal Management Diploma to gain course-required practical experience in an animal-related environment. Three years later, she has just completed the second year of her Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Diploma and, after the summer, will be starting to prepare for her oral Professional Discussion with an industry panel and final practical examinations (OSCEs) to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse! What have been the highlights so far?
“I loved starting in kennels and on cat ward to really get to know the inpatient role properly before moving into other areas in practice. I have had lots of opportunity to take clinics and feel competent running nurse consults. Learning anaesthetics under supervision has been really interesting, and I particularly love seeing pets going through the whole journey now from admit to discharge, and being an active part in it all. It’s like piecing the whole jigsaw together.”
The time has flown! We look forward to supporting Isobel in the exciting months aheads!
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We’re really passionate about supporting veterinary clinicians of the future, offering experience opportunities for school, mature and vet students as well as being a registered Training Practice for student veterinary nurses. Isabel first came to us back in April 2023, volunteering one day a week to see what life is like behind the scenes in veterinary practice. Holder of an Animal Care and Management Diploma and a Foundation Zoo Animal and Conservation Management Degree, Isabel knew she wanted to work with animals and we were delighted when she decided she would like to train to become a veterinary nurse with us. The first year of an apprenticeship in practice is very much kennels and ward-based. Now in the second year of her Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Diploma, Isabel is shadowing nurse consultations and will soon be going more regularly into theatre to learn about pre-op patient preparation as well as patient care, monitoring and observations under anaesthesia. We are loving watching your skills and abilities grow, Isabel, and are excited about supporting you in this more clinically involved next stage of your course, on your way to becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Although Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month officially ended yesterday, we’re also devoting the first week in June to profiling our fabulous nurses and the amazing job they do.
This is a particularly apt photo of our Registered Veterinary Nurse Rachael, which was used by the charity International Cat Care (ICC) to champion veterinary nurses during Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month. With an ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour and a deep passion for all things cats, Rachael is our nurse Cat Friendly Clinic Advocate. Her responsibilities in this role include ensuring our cat facilities meet the highest ICC Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation standards, that we continue to review how we can make in-practice experience better for cats, advising clients on feline wellbeing, signposting colleagues to relevant training and training new team members on our cat friendly policies.
Rachael is also our clinical Dog Friendly Clinic advocate, as 387 Vets is an accredited Dog Friendly Clinic (DFC) with the Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Behaviour Association’s DFC scheme. Rachael’s responsibilities in this area are similar to her cat advocate role. Being dog friendly means looking at ways we can reduce stress and improve wellbeing for canines on vet visits, from being aware of and avoiding situation stacking, responding accordingly to behavioural signals and employing low stress handling techniques to running a variety of clinics that help improve canine confidence.
If you feel your pet would benefit from stress reduction tips around vet visits, please get in touch!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Dental health checks are just as important in pets as they are in humans. They can identify existing problems owners may be unaware about that need addressing as pets can be very good at hiding pain. They are also really useful for catching dental and periodontal disease early to prevent continuing deterioration. Did you know that we now run nurse-led dental clinics specifically to assess pet dental and oral health and to give advice on dental home care for happy healthy pet smiles?
At 387 Vets and The West Midlands Cat Clinic, we have a Tooth Fairy Team who are super passionate about pet dental care. The team includes several Registered Veterinary Nurses, trained to carry out dental scale and polishes to support good pet dental health. This is Alanna carrying out a scale and polish on gorgeous 10 year old cockapoo Sidney who was suffering from early onset gum disease. Plaque and tartar build up is a common cause of this condition (known as gingivitis), where gums become irritated and red, can exhibit swelling and even bleed. Scaling and polishing cleans the teeth and removing the trigger.
If you think your pet would benefit from a dental health check, please give us a ring on 01922 411755.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
This week, in support of May’s Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, we’re continuing to profile the fab work undertaken by our veterinary nurses at 387 Vets and The West Midlands Cat Clinic.
This is 13 year old Rocky who has been attending mobility clinics here since February. Rocky was enrolled by his owners as he was becoming weaker and uncomfortable on his back legs and they’d noticed he had been finding it difficult to get up the stairs at home. His owners had stopped taking him out for walks before he came to see us as they were worried about Rocky’s ability to get out and about.
Our mobility clinics are run by Paige who holds a Certificate in Canine Mobility Nursing and has been granted a Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Blue Paw Award in recognition of her knowledge and ability to improve osteoarthritis care in veterinary practice. Paige recommended certain lifestyle changes that could be implemented at home to support Rocky, as well as adapting his exercise routine and reviewing his diet. Staying in shape is important as excess body fat not only increases pressure placed on the body’s joints, but joints are also at increased risk of inflammatory response.
With careful control of daily calorie intake, joint supplements and a tailored exercise programme, Rocky is back to enjoying dog walks, has lost 1.2kg and seems generally happier and brighter all round. At his latest appointment, Rocky’s owner reported having had to move out of the way at home as Rocky raced past him up the stairs! Paige was so proud of Rocky’s progress and improvement, that she almost cried!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
