SimplyCats Vet Clinic Blog

I found this video online and just had to share it with you

Claire

Claire

I start at 8.30am Monday – Friday although I’m usually here before this time so I can tackle my work e-mails and get sorted before we open for the day.

We start admitting patients from 8.30am, this usually involves a consultation with myself (registered veterinary nurse) to explain the consent form, answer any queries, weigh and check the animal over before admitting, the vet checks them over when she comes in as well.

Once we have admitted a patient they are transferred to the cattery, into a warm padded kennel usually with a nice warm heat pad in also, our hospitalisation areas contain Feliway diffusers emitting a pheremone to help ease your cat and make their stay that little bit more relaxing.

The key to a good anaesthetic is to keep the patient calm and stress free. So getting patients quickly settled in their own space and out of the cramp cat carrier will let them relax a bit before we start the morning.

Another of the first, but most important, jobs is to give animals that have been in-patients during the previous night some TLC! Their kennels arecleaned out, drugs and feeds given, as appropriate, temperatures, heart rates, respirations are monitored, then Sarah (the vet) checks them over when she comes in as well.

Between 9 and 11 am consultations take place. They can be anything from boosters to blood tests, or emergency appointments. I may have to help by holding the animals, helping them to remain calm when they are nervous or scared.

Normally, Sarah (our vet) starts operations at 11 am, but of course it can run over if consultations take longer or there has been an emergency case to deal with.

I ensure that the operating theatre is prepared: drapes, robes, instruments for each surgical procedure and sterilising equipment is checked and anaesthetic machines switched on

Each operation requires a specific set of instruments – it can be what’s called a ‘basic’ kit – that may consist of two pairs of forceps, a pair of surgical scissors, a scalpel handle, four towel clips and a pair of needle holders. We add to that as required – the vet may need some small artery forceps, a different type of scissors, some specialist instruments and so on. An experienced nurse should be able to anticipate what the vet will need for each operation, or at least have items quickly available. All of our surgical instruments are sterilised and stored in special packs that don’t let in any germs. They are carefully labelled and stored in their own place in the instrument cupboards.

Equipment and surfaces have to be cleaned up and kept sterile throughout and animals monitored. Notes and records are updated on the computer for each animal before the afternoon consultations begin.

Next, pre-meds and other medications are calculated and drawn up.

General anaesthetic can be divided into 4 phases:

Premed - is the first part of an anaesthetic. It is usually an injection under the skin of a drug which calms the patient down and makes them sleepy. It allows a smooth easy transition into the unconscious state. This phase usually takes anything from 10min to 30min depending on the individual patient.

Induction – this is when we take the patient from a sleepy state of premed into a managed state of unconsciousness. The vet will usually administer this as an injection into the vein of the front leg, which is clipped before hand to prevent the introduction of infection into the vein when injecting. A tube is placed into her throat and connected to the anaesthetic machine. From now until she is fully awake again the patient will be under constant observation from the veterinary nurse with regular heart rate, respiratory rate, anaesthesia depth and blood oxygen monitoring. This phase takes just a few minutes.

Maintenance - The patient is connected to the anaesthetic machine and a mixture of oxygen and anaesthetic gas is administered through the tube in the throat to the lungs. This allows us to keep the patient in a state of carefully managed unconsciousness so we can perform her surgery. All surgeons like to be efficient with their operations but care and precision are never sacrificed for speed during a procedure.

Recovery – Time to wake up! Surgery over and all is well, the anaesthetic gas is turned off and The patient continues to have oxygen delivered via the tube in the throat. As patients starts to come round from a state of unconsciousness to sleepiness the last of a painkiller injections are usually given, the tube is removed from the throat and the patient is returned to the kennel. As the patient is awake now and holding their head up we can leave them to recover from their anaesthetic, but the vet and nurse in charge of kennels always keep a quiet eye on all recovering patients.

Recovery time is hugely variable on the individual and procedure involved sometimes taking minutes, sometimes a lot longer. We always aim for a quiet steady recovery back to normal, much like waking up from a long deep sleep. This can be helped a lot by keeping the recovering patient in a warm, quiet, dimly lit area, with as little fuss as possible. Some pets can have quite dramatic responses during their recovery from an anaesthetic.

As many of the drugs we use have a similar affect as alcohol has on human behaviour, on occasion, we may see staggering about the kennels, seeing imaginary objects or vocalising (“singing”) from some patients, sometimes called “the happy drunk recovery”!

After patients have recovered, I offer the patients a small meal as they will have been starved overnight so they are probably very hungry by now

I then clean, package and resterilise surgical instruments, we use an autoclave in practice to sterilise our instruments using steam sterilisation. I then ensure all surfaces etc. are clean and ready for use, re-stock supplies, syringes, needles etc.

In-patients are monitored constantly throughout the day as most of my work is undertaken in the room directly next to the cattery, and if the door is closed there is a large window so I can keep a close eye on all the in-patients.

Post operative instructions are then completed ready for discharge. I ensure that all clinical notes are up to date and the account is ready for the discharge appointment. We ask owners to normally call around 2pm for an update and find out what time their cat is ready to go home.

I then arrange a discharge appointment for owners to collect their cats and I can explain post operative care and answer any questions they may have. In all cases we like to keep all patients in for as long as possible post anaesthetic to make sure there are no problems with the surgery and to monitor for signs of pain or discomfort. This care has to continue for the first night at home so we always advise to make provisions for a familiar warm and quiet place to let your pet sleep off the effects of their anaesthetic. In most cases after the first 12hrs they are back to normal, but in some cases it can take a bit longer.

Then, there’s more tidying and cleaning ensuring that everything has been cleaned thoroughly and all equipment has been put away correctly and is ready for use next time.

There’s a lot of time spent tidying up! More importantly, though, there’s a lot of time spent with the animals-they can be a bit groggy after the anaesthetic and need reassurance. When the owners come to collect them, we like to spend some time with them, to talk about their pet’s operation and after care and make sure they are OK too!” That is one of the main attractions of a small veterinary practice; we know our patients and clients by name. We are aware of pets’ backgrounds and health-often caring for them from birth to death

There is a great misconception about qualified veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurses. On average it is thought we cuddle animals all day and clean up after them. I have put up some of the goings on to clear up the misconception but decided to put up a bit more information on exams.

Inpatients need temperatures, pulses, respirations checked, kennel’s cleaned, body functions monitored, medications given.

Veterinary nurses are the anaesthetists for the vet and at times scrub in as assistants usually to hold pull or do whatever is required by the vet. We carry out lab work, and basic vein puncture for various tests or to place intravenous catheters.

If we are on nurse clinics that means discharges, post op checks, pre op admits, geriatric clinics, dental checks, general cat care, diet clinics, anal gland express, nail clips etc.

In smaller veterinary practices we are also cleaners and receptionists, so you will often see me ‘manning the fort’ on the reception desk at SimplyCats.

 
Being a qualified Veterinary Nurse is not a role to be taken lightly.

Here is a basic outline of some of the modules I studied to become a veterinary nurse.

Year one

- Relationships and accountability in veterinary nursing practice

- Health and Safety in veterinary nursing practice

- Anatomy and physiology

- Maintaining animal health

- Essential veterinary nursing skills

- Nursing support in the provision of veterinary services

- and last but by no means least 2 written exams papers

Year two

- Application of veterinary nursing care

- Practice and principles of diagnostics

- Laboratory practice

- Diagnostic imaging

- Pharmacology and pharmacy support

- Surgical theatre practice

- Anaesthesia

- and last but by no means least more written exam papers and practical exams.

I also had to complete portfolio of case studies in each year of my studies. On all areas of veterinary care including; surgical, medical, behavioural, exotics, health and safety, pharmacology, client care etc.

A registered veterinary nurse (RVN) is required to complete mininmum of 45hrs CPD (continuing professional development) over 3 years.

Badge presented to all qualifed veterinary nurses. (I don’t wear mine due to having no lapels on my uniform)

Claire York RVN

“VN Week has become an important date in the calendar, helping to push nurses into the heart of their community, to promote pet ownership issues and, of course, the role of the nurse themselves,” says Dot Creighton, RCVS VN Council member.

“Listed and Registered Veterinary Nurses may specialise, for example, in intensive care, and can legally undertake minor surgery and give medical treatment under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. During VN Week, the profession has the opportunity to join together and widely promote this vital role in practice.”

Listed nurses are fully qualified, and may have advanced professional qualifications. In addition, those listed nurses who are also registered commit to keeping their skills and knowledge up to date, and to work within the tenets of the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.

What is Veterinary Nursing?

Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as a member of the veterinary team, providing expert nursing care for sick animals.

Veterinary nurses also play a significant role in the education of owners about maintaining the health and welfare of their pets. They carry out technical work and are skilled in undertaking a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, under veterinary direction.

Claire

A not so cat related post today, I’ve always loved Formula One and got tickets from my boyfriend at Christmas to go to Silverstone to see the 2010 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix. The day was fantastic and the weather was glorious. Ieven got to see my favourite driver Sebastian Vettel who drives for Red Bull, unfortunately he came off the track right in front of us, he still managed to have a fantastic race, finishing 7th overall.

We had a fantastic time and are already talking about going back again next year.

Sebastian Vettel

Claire

Caroline’s eight year old son, Calum has plenty of soft toys to choose a favourite from. Like all children, he has to choose the same toy that Katie likes to snuggle up to. Here she is pictured taking advantage of the fact that Calum is at school and she has Spongebob all to herself – she looks very smug!

Caroline

You may have seen a ‘bionic’ cat in the news this week.

The cat had its back feet badly damaged by a combine harvester and has now been given two prosthetic limbs in a pioneering operation.

To view the news report, click here

Claire

Those of you who have signed up to receive our monthly e-mail ‘Mewsletter’ will already know that Caroline, one of our receptionist’s cats, Dubby is on a strict diet.

Having topped the scales at just over 9 kilos some months ago it was time to take drastic action!

Dubby joined Nurse York’s slimming regime and now Caroline feeds Dubby measured diet food sachets so there can be no ‘extras’ and she is happy to say that he is losing weight, slowly, but steadily. He is pictured sporting his sunglasses but is not ready to wear the bikini yet!

You can follow Dubby’s progress by signing up to the Mewsletter . If you feel your cat may be overweight, you can bring him along to a free nurse weight clinic here at SimplyCats – call 0191 3859696 to make an appointment.

Caroline

After a fantastic holiday in Florida I am officially back to work and back to reality.

I loved spending time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Seaworld and Busch Gardens mainly because of the animals but also because of the big rollercoasters (I’m a huge adrenaline junkie). The animals in the parks are kept in fantastic condition and I enjoyed chatting to the keepers at these parks and discussing all things animal related, mainly cat related (I just can’t seem to turn off work mode sometimes).

Here are just a few of my holiday snaps I thought I would share with you.

If any of you are considering a trip to Florida, I strongly urge you to go. It is a fantastic, magical place and I loved every minute of our holiday. Infact we enjoyed it so much we’re already planning a holiday back there next year.

Claire in a Stitch hat (who says we have to be mature all of the time?)

Claire & Neil in Universal Studios, Hogwarts in the background

Claire & Neil at Seaworld

Claire & Neil waiting to ride the world's largest SlingShot

Claire at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Lion at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Claire at Pixar Studios, home of Toy Story

Claire and David Hasslehoff's handprints at Planet Hollywood

Claire with a lego boy and lego dogs at Downtown Disney

Claire at Honeyduke's shop in Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Claire's nickname is Duke)

Invisible cat at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Claire & Neil at Universal Studios

Claire

June is microchipping month at SimplyCats and as a result we are offering microchips at a reduced cost. This procedure usually costs £20 but throughout the month of June we are offering microchipping at £15.

For further information about microchipping please click here or contact the surgery.

You can sleep as soundly as Naz knowing your cat is microchipped should he/she go missing

Claire

We are offering our clients the chance to see their cat appear on SimplyCats vaccine reminders and the Mewsletter. If you would like your cat to feature in these materials, please contact us and include a photo of your beloved cat.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please click here to contact us. Any feedback welcome on how we can improve our site.

If there is any subject you would like to read about on the blog or in the Mewsletter, please let us know, as we are always grateful of any suggestion.

Claire

SimplyCats would like to thank everyone who attended our Open Day on Saturday 8th May and made this a fantastic day!  

We are pleased to announce that so far we have raised over £150 and are still receiving donations.

 We certainly had nice weather for it and the day was brilliant, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

The day would not have been a success without those who attended so once again, a big thank you from everyone.

Many thanks go to all who attended and helped to organise the event.

Please click here for more information and photos from the Open Day.

Claire

If you have ever had a cavity or dental work done, you know how uncomfortable and inconvenient it can be. For humans, caring for our teeth is something we do almost automatically. Since cats are unable to brush their own teeth and, like humans, do not have a natural, built-in way to keep teeth clean, it falls on you to maintain your cat’s dental health.

Veterinary research indicates that dental disease, in its various forms, is the number one health issue in feline medicine and about 70% of cats over the age of three have some kind of dental problem. Fortunately for your cat, dental disease is preventable!

When I got Piglet she had slight tartar on her canines and molars, and ideally needed a scale and polish. I decided to let her settle in first before undergoing any dental work.

Scale and polish is the most common dental procedure performed on cats. Generally, the process takes about an hour. General anesthesia is required for any kind of veterinary dental work.

Piglet is currently fed Purina Housecat dry food and she loves it, I can’t get it into her bowl quick enough I also use Logical Oral gel on her teeth once daily, or as often as I get a chance to do it. 8 weeks later I checked her teeth and the tartar has almost all gone from her teeth and she now doesn’t need a dental.

Not all cats will be as lucky as Piglet and find their tartar breaks down completely but it just goes to show that  a dental routine really does make a difference to your cat’s oral hygiene.

Claire

1.Clear large space on table for wrapping present.
2.Go to wardrobe and collect bag in which present is contained, and close door.
3.Open door and remove cat from wardrobe.
4.Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper.
5.Go back and remove cat from cupboard.
6.Go to drawer and collect sellotape, ribbons, scissors, labels, etc.
7.Lay out present and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed.
8.Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit, and collect string.
9.Remove present from bag.
10.Remove cat from bag.
11.Open box to check present, remove cat from box, replace present.
12.Lay out paper to enable cutting to size.
13.Cut the paper to size, trying to keep the cutting line straight.
14.Throw away first sheet because cat tried to chase the scissors and tore paper.
15.Cut 2nd sheet of paper to size by putting cat in the bag the present came out of.
16.Place present on cut-to-size paper.
17.Lift up edges of paper to seal in present, wonder why edges now don’t reach, and find cat between present and paper. Remove cat and retry.
18.Place object on paper, to hold in place, while cutting sellotape.
19.Spend next 20 minutes carefully trying to remove sellotape from cat with pair of nail scissors.
20.Seal paper down with sellotape, making corners as neat as possible.
21.Look for roll of ribbon; chase cat down hall and retrieve ribbon.
22.Try to wrap present with ribbon in a two-directional turn.
23.Re-roll up ribbon and remove paper that is now torn, due to cat’s enthusiasm in chasing ribbon end.
24.Repeat steps 12-22 until down to last sheet of paper.
25.Decide to skip steps 12-16 in order to save time and reduce risk of losing last sheet of paper. Retrieve old cardboard box that you know is right size for paper.
26.Put present in box, and tie down with string.
27.Remove string, open box and remove cat.
28.Put all packing materials in bag with present and head for lockable room.
29.Once inside room, lock door and start to re-lay out packing materials.
30.Remove cat from box, unlock door, put cat outside door, close door and re-lock.
31.Lay out last sheet of paper. (Admittedly this is difficult in the small area of the toilet, but try your best!)
32.Seal box, wrap with paper and start repairs by very carefully sealing down tears with sellotape. Now tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst affected areas.
33.Label, then sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulating yourself on making good of a bad job.
34.Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.
35.Spend next 15 minutes looking for cat, before coming to obvious conclusion.
36.Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat.
37.Retrieve all discarded sheets of wrapping paper, feed cat and retire to lockable room for last attempt, making certain you are alone and the door is locked.
38.At time of handing over present, smile sweetly at receiver’s face, as they try and hide their contempt at being handed such a badly wrapped present.
39.Swear to yourself that next year, you will get the shop to wrap the things for you.

DOORS: Allow no closed doors in any room. To get door opened, stand on hind legs and hammer with forepaws. Once door is opened, it is not necessary to use it. Once an outside door is opened, stand halfway out and think about several things – a particularly good idea during the coldest weather or mosquito season.

CHAIRS AND RUGS: If you have to throw up, get on to a chair quickly. If there is no time, get to an expensive Oriental rug.

BATHROOMS: Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It is not necessary to do anything – just sit and stare.

HELPING: If one of your humans is busy and the other is idle, stay with the busy one. This is called ‘helping’ and here are the rules: – Cooking: To supervise, sit just behind the left heel of the cook. You can’t be seen and thereby stand a better chance of being stepped on, then picked up and comforted.

Books: For book readers, get in close under the chin, between eyes and book, unless you can lie across the book itself.

Knitting and Paperwork: Lie on it in the most appropriate manner so as to obscure the most important part. Pretend to doze, but every so often paw the pencil or knitting needles. The worker may try to distract you – ignore it. To give the greatest help, first, sit on the paper being worked on. When dislodged, watch sadly from the side of the table.

When activity proceeds nicely, roll around on the papers, scattering them to the best of your ability. After being removed for the second time, push pens, pencils, and erasers off the table, one at a time. When a human is holding the newspaper in front of them, be sure to jump on the back of it – they love surprises. Embroidery and Needlework: These projects make great hammocks in spite of what the humans may tell you.

WALKING: As often as possible, dart quickly and as close as possible in front of the human, especially: on stairs, when they have something in their arms, in the dark, and when they first get up in the morning. This will help their coordination skills.

BEDTIME: Always sleep on the human at night so she/he cannot move around.

Claire