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.
Yesterday was reported as the hottest day in May on record and today doesn’t feel much cooler! It’s really important we help our pets to stay as cool and comfortable as possible at this time.
Walk dogs first thing in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Take water and a water bowl with you and limit exertion. If you’re dog-walking on pavements, it’s a good idea to do a temperature test before you set out – if it’s too hot for the palm of your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s pads.
Around the house, ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times and can always access shade and cooler rooms. If you’re visiting us in practice today, look out for our extra water bowls dotted around the site! Ice cubes in the bottom of water bowls helps water stay cooler for longer. There are some great products on the market to help pets keep cool, such as cool mats and a doggy paddling pool for the garden which is lots of fun too! Consider an indoor fan. Needless to say, conservatories are a big no-no as they can reach heat extremes incredibly quickly. Likewise, do not leave your dog in the car for any duration in warm or hot weather as cars can become oven-like in minutes.
Cats are more independent and will take themselves off to find shade. Be aware they may choose to take themselves outside, even on the hottest of days! Ensure they have plenty of shady spots and leaf coverage where they can rest. You can make shady spots easily by popping a cardboard box in a choice spot in the garden, by draping a towel or blanket over chairs to form a canopy, or even by putting an open umbrella out on the grass. Again, make sure cats have access to plenty of fresh water to rehydrate. Many cats love running water, so it may be worth investing in a cat fountain to encourage your cat to drink.
Don’t forget that pets with white or very light-coloured hair can be especially susceptible to sunburn, so apply pet-friendly sunscreen to ears and noses!
Remember rabbits too! It’s really important to consider hutch location and how the sun moves around the garden during the day so that hutches and runs aren’t in full sun glare at any point. You can freeze water bottles so that drinking water stays cooler for longer, and it’s worth putting a frozen bottle of water wrapped in a tea towel into the hutch so rabbits can choose to lie against it should they wish. Dampening the tips of their ears with a cool facecloth helps them to feel cooler too. It’s also really important that you protect rabbits’ rear ends from fly strike (an incredibly painful and potentially fatal condition where flies lay eggs in the skin and the maggots hatch and feed on the host’s flesh). Preventative products are available. You should also check your rabbit’s bottom twice daily, and if they have any sore patches of skin, check these too. If you spot fly strike, pleaser seek immediate veterinary support.
If you are concerned that your pet may be suffering from heat stroke (symptoms include excessive panting, noisy panting, drooling, bright red gums, confusion or collapse), move them into shade and seek immediate veterinary advice. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and fast action is essential.
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.
387 Vets is proud to hold Training Practice status with our governing body, The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and we currently have four student nurses in our team. Training colleges require that each student nurse has a clinical coach in practice. Over half of our 12-strong team of Registered Veterinary Nurses are, or have been, trained clinical coaches. What a fab statistic!
The role of a clinical coach is to help students practise, hone and sign off a wide portfolio of qualification-dictated skills to agree competency, as well as offering ongoing support throughout the apprenticeship with blended learning and assignment queries and logging evidence.
Our RVN Katie is clinical coach to Isobel who is now entering the final stages of her course.
“I became a clinical coach because I wanted to help and inspire a new generation of veterinary nurses. I really enjoy teaching and supporting students as they progress through their course and love watching their confidence and skills grow.”
Three cheers for our clinical coach champions, helping our student nurses to realise their dream!
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.
