Author Archives: Alison Young

Mini-Bill to be Presented to Legally Protect VN Title

The RCVS is preparing to present a mini-bill to MPs with the aim of getting the veterinary nurse title legally protected through the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA).

The VN and RCVS council have both approved this new move which is set to go to DEFRA imminently.

The VSA currently refers to LVNs and SVNs in a section relating to Schedule 3 procedures, stating: “Veterinary nurse means a nurse whose name is entered in the list of veterinary nurses maintained by the college.” However, the new proposal wishes to change references to the old style list to “the register”.

This new mini-bill would make it a legal requirement for the description “veterinary nurse” to relate only to RVNs and will alter the VSA to state they are professionally accountable.

If it receives DEFRAs backing, the next step is for the RCVS to find an MP willing to present it in Parliament as a private member’s bill.

So veterinary nurses, be sure to watch this space…

More information can be found at VN Online.

Lost Sheep Herded into Sussex Garden Remain Unclaimed

Being woken up at 3:00am with the police asking to keep a flock of sheep in your garden is the last thing you would expect for your Monday morning.

Well, as the BBC reports, this is exactly what happened to Cam and Mark Nichols. They were asked to keep a flock of 28 sheep in their gated garden while officers went in search of their owner.

The BBC reported on Monday that the wondering flock, which were found in the Heathfield area in East Sussex, were yet to be claimed.

The couple have now resorted to Twitter to appeal for the owner to come forward after the sheep have eaten all their plants. Let’s hope this mischievous flock have now been returned to their rightful owner.

To read the full article, visit the BBC website.

[Picture: Mark Nichols]

Study Shows ‘Shell-Shocked’ Crabs Can Feel Pain

The food and aquaculture industries should reconsider how they treat live crustaceans such as crabs, prawns and lobsters. That’s according to a Queen’s University Belfast researcher who has found that crabs are likely to feel pain.

The latest study by Professor Bob Elwood and Barry Magee from Queen’s School of Biological Sciences looked at the reactions of common shore crabs to small electrical shocks, and their behaviour after experiencing those shocks. The research has been published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

The experiment was carefully designed to distinguish between pain and a reflex phenomenon known as nociception. Ninety crabs were each introduced individually to a tank with two dark shelters. On selecting their shelter of choice, some of the crabs were exposed to an electric shock. When they were put back into the tank for the third time, the vast majority of shocked crabs went to the alternative safe shelter and those who were not shocked continued to use their preferred shelter.

Whether or not crustaceans experience pain remains widely debated, however this study shows that shore crabs are willing to trade something of value to them – in this case a dark shelter – to avoid future electric shock.

The research highlights the need to investigate how crustaceans used in food industries, such as crabs, prawns and lobsters are treated.

For more information, visit Queen’s University Belfast School of Biological Sciences website.

Dogs Needed for University Study on Cultural Differences

Although it is known how cultural identity affects behaviours among the human population, it is still unknown whether this notion can be applied to man’s best friend.

To answer this question, three universities in the UK, Austria and Hungary are working in partnership to complete a study looking at how dogs from different countries react to various problems.

The first two stages of the investigation have already taken place at the Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest and Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.

For the third and final partner, the University of Lincoln (UK) is now appealing for dog owners to bring their pets for a ‘play date’ where they will take part in new, mentally challenging experiences.

The researchers are specifically looking for Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers and other medium and large sized purebred dogs such as Cocker Spaniels and Huskies, due to the size and weight of toys being used. They must also be kept as pets, mainly indoors, be at least one-year-old and have the potential to be motivated to work for food.

The test sessions are scheduled to take place on the University’s Riseholme campus between 10 January and 25 March, 2013.

To find out more information, visit the website here.

If you and your dog would like to take part in the study please contact Dóra Szabó by e-mailing szaboodoora@gmail.com

Royal College Portrait Pictures Join National Collection Online

Thirty-one paintings owned by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) can now be viewed online by the public, as their photographs have been added to the ‘Your Paintings’ national website.

The majority of the RCVS collection features past Presidents and Secretaries of the College, including the first President, Thomas Turner, and George Fleming, who financed the 1881 Veterinary Surgeons Act. These paintings can now more easily be seen by veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses (VNs), as well as the wider public.

Members of the public are asked to help catalogue the ‘Your Paintings’ collection by ‘tagging’ the photographs on the website to add information on the subjects featured, and to submit information about the pictures in the collection.

There are 211,861 pictures on the ‘Your Paintings’ website, which is an initiative of the Public Catalogue Foundation (PCF) and the BBC. The project was launched in June 2011, and includes paintings held in institutions ranging from traditional galleries to universities, local councils and even the Zoological Society of London.

You can find the pictures of the paintings belonging to the Royal College on the BBC website.

Meet the RCVS Day for Potential Election Candidates

On Tuesday 15 January the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will hold a ‘Meet the RCVS Day’ for those standing or considering standing for election to RCVS Council or the Veterinary Nurses Council.

The event offers prospective candidates an opportunity to find out more about what the role of a Council member involves, and what would be expected of them, if elected.

Candidates and prospective candidates will have the chance to meet the RCVS Officers and senior staff, and to find out what goes on behind the scenes. The day will start at 10.30am, and finish at approximately 3.30pm, to allow plenty of time for questions. Lunch and refreshments will also be provided.

For further information, or to book a place, prospective candidates can contact Fiona Harcourt, Communications Officer (f.harcourt@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0773).

Full instructions, guidance notes and nomination forms for RCVS Council and Veterinary Nurses Council guidance notes can be found on the RCVS website.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 31 January 2013.

Clinical Coach, Wendy Taylor, Shares the Benefits of Training Veterinary Nurses

When I first started in Veterinary Nursing many, many years ago we were over used and undervalued. Fortunately, I worked for a practice that valued their nurses and wanted us to excel, so we were encouraged to take the Veterinary Nursing qualification. This made us ‘hungry for knowledge’ and we felt proud to become a Qualified Veterinary Nurse. We felt confident when challenged by the general public and other veterinary staff that we not only knew the practical side to the job, but also the theory behind it all. The theory side to the nursing qualification was like the final piece in a jigsaw puzzle, making everything fit together.

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Over the years we have trained in excess of twenty nurses which has provided them with a qualification ready to begin their career as an RVN. Those that have stayed with us are valued team members, each playing an important role in the practice.

To get the best out of your staff you have to put a little in. Coaching the nurses is very rewarding, where you can pass on knowledge and little tips on how to do things such as calming a nervous dog, giving tablets etc. This may seem like its not important but I feel every member of staff has something to add to the training even if they are not a clinical coach.

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Training is a team effort with the clinical coach acting as a coordinator for gathering the evidence. At the end of the course you will have a valuable member for your practice. We have always found the training fits well into practice life with the right coordination of rotas and staff.

The key to good students is to work with a good college. We are fully supported throughout the course by The College of Animal Welfare. The staff are always on hand for any queries and the trainees get excellent support throughout the course. The lectures are now improved so that they are covering theory alongside the nursing progress log (NPL) which improves the knowledge of the trainees as they progress throughout the course.

If you are new to training nurses then do not worry, working with The College of Animal Welfare, you will be supported throughout it all and even if you have been out of studying for a while, the theory all comes flooding back, just like riding a bike!

It is incredibly rewarding seeing new students return from college with a renewed interest in their work and I guarantee your staff will be more enthusiastic and committed once they have a goal in sight.

Wendy J Taylor RVN DipAVN(Surgical) DipAVN(Medical) MBVNA

WSAVA Launch Survey about Nutritional assessments in Small Animal Practice

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched an online survey to find out how well nutritional assessments are carried out in practice.

The association would like to know how familiar veterinary professionals are with nutritional assessments and tools, such as body condition scoring, as well as which members of the practice team normally carry out these assessments.

WSAVA’s survey has been co-ordinated by RVN Rachel Lumbis, in order to advance the central role of the veterinary health care team as the expert source of information for optimal pet nutrition, following guidelines made in 2010.

This is a great opportunity for veterinary professionals to express their views in order to establish a successful implementation of nutrition as a vital assessment in small animal practice.

Click here to complete the survey

Congratulations to All Our Student Award Winners

The College of Animal Welfare’s annual Student Awards Ceremony which took place on Saturday 8 December was a huge success.

The highly anticipated award ceremony is a celebration of student achievements over the last year, not only at our centres, but also students who are learning in their work place all over the country. The awards recognise individual hard work, dedication and personal achievements.

This year the awards were presented by Professor Sue Gregory from the Royal Veterinary College in Potters Bar. Professor Gregory was appointed the worlds’ first Professor of Veterinary Nursing in 2008 and oversees the Royal Veterinary College’s veterinary nursing programmes in both the UK and in Hong Kong.

The Awards Ceremony is one of the biggest highlights of the year with all winners being presented with a commemorative trophy during the ceremony at our centre in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire. A great day was had by all with friends and family sharing in the success of their loved ones.

Congratulations to all our winners – we wish you lots of luck and success for the future!

A full list of this year’s winners can be found below:

Level 2 Best Customer Service Student
Amanda Caley

Level 3 Best Customer Service Student
Amy White

Level 2 Best Horse Care Student
Abbie Grove-Cook

WBL Level 2 Animal Care Best Student
Natalie Brown

WBL Level 3 Animal Care Best Student
Jean Andrews

Huntingdon Centre Best 1st Year Animal Care Level 2 Student
Shaun Walton

Huntingdon Centre Best 1st Year Animal Care Level 3 Student
Daniel Jepson

Huntingdon Centre Best Final Year Animal Care Level 3 Student
Rebecca Haxell

Huntingdon Centre Best 1st Year Veterinary Nursing Student
Lauren McPherson

Huntingdon Centre Best Final Year Veterinary Nursing Student
Nicola Taylor

Best Level 2 Dog Grooming Student
Anne Selfe

London Centre Best 1st Year Veterinary Nursing Student
Becky Waite

London Centre Best Final Year Veterinary Nursing Student
Pauline Collier

Leeds Centre Best 1st Year Veterinary Nursing Student
Sean Ward

Leeds Centre Best Final Year Veterinary Nursing Student
Lucy Thompson

Best Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) Student
Paula Harris

Best Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) Mentor
Laura Hough

Best Clinical Coach (London)
Kim Fuller

Best Clinical Coach (Leeds)
Catherine Worwood

Best Clinical Coach (Huntingdon)
Michelle Palmer

Most Supportive Employer (London)
Palmerston Vets

Most Supportive Employer (Leeds)
Prospect Vets, Halifax

Most Supportive Employer (Huntingdon)
Animates Vet Clinic

Personal Achievement Certificates
Eboniepaige Hannan-Bobe
Heidi Quick
Emily Carter
Alys Brownridge
Stacey Grabecki
Philip Bandy
Amy White
Grace Bradford
Carlos Monks
Sarah Blundell
Paul Clinton
Hayley Buddery
Helen Key
Adriana Rosa
Gemma Armstrong
Rachel Hall
Zoe Reeve
Samantha Plitsch

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…

As the festive season quickly approaches, the majority of households will be bustling with people, littered with wrapping paper and scented with lots of delicious smelling food.

It may be the season for good will and cheer, however it important to keep our beloved pets safe and calm throughout the busy period.

Here are some tips to follow:

1. Christmas food
Whilst most of us wait all year to indulge in our festive favourites, it is best to avoid feeding your pet the same. Whilst you may think you are treating them, many of our Christmas indulgences are poisonous for pets and with poultry bones easily splintering, it can cause choking and serious injury.

Instead, pop into your local pet shop to pick up a Christmas treat suited for the type of animal you have. Overindulging your pet over Christmas can lead to sickness and weight gain as well as other health problems. So, stick to your usual feeding regime to ensure your pet doesn’t pile on the pounds!

2. Decorations
With your house slowly turning into Santa’s grotto, it is important to ensure all decorations are placed out of the way of those mischievous paws to avoid breakages and potential choking hazards. Pay particular attention to where you are placing your tinsel and ensure no decorations are in sight of your pet to play with.

3. A place to rest
Crackers, party poppers, champagne corks, you name it and it is likely to be going off around Christmas Day and New Year. Make sure your pet has a quiet place to rest, especially if you have a house full of people and children. Loud noises can make your pet stressed and uncomfortable, so ensure they have a place to relax when it all gets too much!

4. Jet setting?
If you are one of the lucky ones to be jetting off to a sunnier (or snowier) climate this Christmas then make sure your pet is well cared for. Whether this is booking them into a suitable kennel or asking a neighbour to look after them, it is important that those caring for them are fully informed about your pet, their needs and routine. The less disruption for them, the better!

We hope you and your pets have a very merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

[Source: Companion Care Vets]