Tag: Cats

  • Alternative therapies for pain

    Alternative therapies for pain

    In a previous blog I showed options for nursing care at home for patients in pain. Some clients may wish to do more and some cases may require it. But where can clients go for a holistic approach to their pets’ pain? We must always remember that any referral must abide by RCVS guidelines –…

  • It’s all about the litter

    It’s all about the litter

    I’ve had a bad week. I ordered a food delivery; it arrived, but not all of it – they forgot the prosecco. The horror! To make it worse there seemed to be no way of rectifying the issue, leading me to try to find a new supermarket to deliver – but which one? And why is…

  • Because you’re worth it

    Because you’re worth it

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    In my last blog, I talked about my lack of salesmanship skills with veterinary products. Today, I’m going to talk about something else I’m not very good at selling – myself. After we graduate, when we worry about how good we’re going to be at the job, it’s usually questions like: “Will I be able…

  • How to anaesthetise a reindeer

    How to anaesthetise a reindeer

    I’ve written before about omnicompetency, but the word is mostly used in the sense of vets being able to work in mixed practice and tackle the veterinary care of horses, dogs, cats and farm animals in the same day – certainly, the first thing to come to mind would not be a reindeer. However, on…

  • No harm infection control

    No harm infection control

    Like most RVNs, I like a good clean. This is never at home though, obviously – it’s all about a sparkling work place. I love to smell disinfectant and have everything shiny – especially a ward. Once all the patients are medicated and calm, curled up sleeping, it’s not unusual to find me quietly ensuring…

  • The beginning of the end of vet school

    The beginning of the end of vet school

    As regular readers of this blog may have noticed, I was a little apprehensive about starting my final year at veterinary school… Having already been in the small animal hospital for two days, we finally received our results – confirming I and many of my fellow classmates had passed our exams and could now wear…

  • RVN debate: nurse or not?

    RVN debate: nurse or not?

    As Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month draws to a close, I wonder where we are when it comes to informing the public about RVNs – our level of training, our expertise, our standing within the profession, or that we even exist at all. I realise we are a drop in the ocean in terms of numbers…

  • Don’t you even care?

    Don’t you even care?

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    “I’m telling you, I haven’t got the money! Are you going to leave her like this? She’s in pain! Don’t you even care?” If you haven’t heard this sentence already then don’t worry – you will. The problem with trying to make money out of pain and suffering is… well, frequently, you’re dealing with suffering…

  • Clients’ perception of pain in their pets

    Clients’ perception of pain in their pets

    I’ve been hearing a classic client phrase a little too much recently. I realise it can be difficult for some people to get – that animals feel physical pain just like we do – but when the evidence is staring you straight in the face (or even trying to bite your hand), why can people…

  • RCVS council election manifesto: Melissa Donald

    RCVS council election manifesto: Melissa Donald

    MELISSA DONALD BVMS, MRCVS Otters View, Purclewan Mill, Dalrymple, East Ayrshire KA6 6AN. T 01292 560083 M 07921 384852 E melissadonald88@gmail.com PROPOSERS: Alison Lambert, Freda Scott-Park I started as a food animal intern at Iowa State University, having graduated from Glasgow (1987). After two children, my first full-time position was in a traditional mixed two-person…