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!
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.
Our team love celebrating the highs of pet ownership, but are also very aware that there will be times when comfort and compassion is a priority, not least when beloved pet companions reach end of life. We appreciate how much it matters that any requests relating to pet cremation, ashes return and memento choices are carried out correctly. To support this, our Registered Veterinary Nurse Mia has streamlined our deceased pet protocols, and is primary team member in charge of cross-referencing and checking records and paperwork before deceased pets leave practice for the pet crematorium. Thank you, Mia, for taking on this important responsibility, and for the care and compassion you show deceased pets making their final journey.
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.
Whatever your plans this May Bank Holiday, we hope you and your pets have a lovely long weekend!
We are open as normal this week but the practice will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday (4th May). If you have a pet emergency at this time, please continue to call us on 01922 411755 and follow the answer machine instructions.
If you are unsure whether your pet needs to see a vet urgently or are looking for some advice, don’t forget, all our registered clients have complimentary access to VidiVet, a vet triaging service available 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year (and 366 days in a leap year!). It’s a brilliant resource for pet peace of mind and can be a great time and money saver. Submit your query and a vet will get back to you with a comprehensive response within minutes. Check communications from our practice for your VidiVet access link if you’re not already set up.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy early May Bank Holiday!
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.
Honey looks a real honey in this photo with her teddy and blanket! The one year one cockerpoo was in with us last week to be neutered using keyhole surgery.
Keyhole spays involve making two very small wounds in the patient’s abdomen after which the internal surgical area is inflated to enable access. Once the ovaries are sourced, they are detached using fine instruments and cameras, and vessel-sealing technology closes the wounds. The detached ovaries are then removed and the external wounds are repaired. Traditional spays are much more invasive as they involve removing the ovaries and uterus through a larger entry point, and much more stretching and tearing of tissues during surgery to be able to free up the required anatomy. Inevitably, in traditional spays, post-op recovery time is longer and more pain management is required. Keyhole patients can return to full exercise within 48 hours!
We saw Honey back at the end of the week. She was doing brilliantly and, by now, should be back to her normal exercise routine!
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.
