Pets

What does being a veterinary nurse involve?

by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice

Veterinary nurses are essential members of the veterinary team and they bring their own unique skills to enhance the running of the practice and to patient care. A love of animals and their well-being is essential but the ability to learn and interact with their owners is also important.

Being a veterinary nurse involves many varied skills. These can range from cleaning and administration work through to inpatient care, anaesthetic monitoring, nurse appointments and lab work.

A minimum level of exam grades are required to enrol on the course and, because it is such a practical qualification, employment by, or attachment to, a practice is a requirement. Nursing qualifications are either at degree level, with periodic work placements, or as an apprenticeship with day release to college. Further qualifications in critical care or physiotherapy, for instance, are available and it is a requirement for all qualified nurses to complete further training each year.

Veterinary nurses are not trainee vets. They are a profession in their own right and provide unique skills which are different to vets. There is a lot of overlap of skills, but they are generally more involved in the individual care of animals in the practice for operations or as inpatients.

Being a vet nurse requires a level of responsibility and self-motivation. While vets are the decision makers in terms of treatment decisions, nurses are involved in this decision making and their perspective and experience can help in formulating a treatment plan.

Nurses also have a lot of ‘face to face’ contact with clients running nurse clinics where, typically, they will do post-op checks, claw clips and give advice on worming, fleas and diet. Many practices require nurses to be competent at reception and telephone answering. Good communication,

Veterinary nurses are not trainee vets – they are a profession in their own right. PHOTO: Arvydas Lakacauskas/Pixabay

within the team and with clients, is essential.

Salaries generally start at minimum wage – or may even be apprenticeship wage – until qualification and, even then, salaries frequently lag behind those of human nurses despite the extensive skill set most vet nurses attain. However, overtime is usually paid for in addition to basic salary and opportunities within industry or more specialised fields increase earning potential.

It is important to realise that the negative aspects of the job involve dealing with suffering, clients’ powerful emotions, euthanasia and unsociable hours such as night-time emergencies and weekends. These aspects are often balanced by the pleasure of seeing the recovery of a sick animal or the gratitude of a relieved client.

Becoming a vet nurse is a rewarding job and allows you to work with, and care for, animals all day, and you will feel like you have achieved something at the end of each day. But it can be stressful and upsetting, and the level of education and work required is not always balanced by the salary paid.

Misunderstood minibeasts

by Emily Ryland-Langley, Director TWO Bird Experiences

Although they are small, often misunderstood and very underappreciated, insects are some of the most fascinating things to learn about on our planet. They provide us with some of the best examples of camouflage, strength, team work and hunting prowess.

Although some may not be blessed in the looks department and others have a few too many legs for comfort, minibeasts can make absolutely fantastic pets. Choose the right one and they will be beautiful to look at, happy to be handled and can also be a great way to introduce younger members of the family to the basics of animal care (perhaps before someone a little ‘fluffier’ enters the home!).

However, with between 6 and 10 million species (that’s 1.4 billion insects per human on Earth) it is definitely advisable to head to your local pet shop or professional to help you pick out the bug for you.

Here at TWO Bird Experiences we absolutely adore bugs, and our six-legged friends along with our team of birds help to reconnect people with nature and get them excited about the huge abundance of wildlife that live and thrive right here on our doorsteps in Wiltshire.

From buzzing bees and dancing dragonflies, to the spots on ladybirds and the antlers of stag beetles, we often find that once someone has been introduced to the wonderful world of bugs, they start to see and hear them everywhere! And once a nature warrior has been created, they are almost unstoppable! Before long, back gardens blossom into wildlife havens filled with wildflowers and bug hotels; and instead of videogames, weekends are spent bird watching, pond dipping and taking part in the big butterfly count.

There could not be a more important time for us all to start getting inspired by the natural world. With 41% of our insect species facing extinction, and 80% of plants in the UK pollinated by those insects, we need people to stand up and get involved. So, why not pop on your walking boots and head out to discover ‘wild Wiltshire’. Perhaps if you take a peek under the magnifying glass you may find that life in the undergrowth is, in fact, rather extraordinary.

For more information about local wildlife or getting a new pet visit www.twobirdexperiences. co.uk

CAN YOU BE A FOREVER HOME? BEHAVIOUR TIPS

Mid Dorset Branch Cats Protection Cats looking for new homes

Arlo (two). Very affectionate lovely boy who would fit into most families

Hattie (one). Looking for an understanding home Kittens. We have kittens available. If you would like to register interest, please visit our website and fill in the enquiry form, www. cats.org.uk/ blandford Please do not phone as we are all volunteers and can’t always answer. Thank you.

For details, please call our helpline on 01258 858644

or visit our website, www.cats.org.uk/blandford

LOST CATS If you have lost a cat, please contact us via our website, phone or Facebook.

Please make sure we have a contact phone number so we can get in touch with you quickly if needed.

n Grey tortie female, missing from

Weymouth since July.

n Grey male, missing from

Downwood, since 27 September

n FOUND CATS

If you regularly see a cat in your garden or down your street that you don’t think has an owner, please give us a call – it might be a lost cat that could be reunited with its owner.

n Pale ginger tabby/white,

Stalbridge, currently being fed by finder.

We are still offering neutering and micro-chipping for £5 in postcode areas DT10 and DT11, SP7 and SP8, and BH21. Phone: 01258 268695.

Tip #25 How to provide mental stimulation – nosework

by Helen Taylor

Using a portion of your dog’s food – if dry fed – or low-value healthy treats, throw a treat a few metres away with your dog watching. As he runs to get it, say ‘find it’. Repeat this many times, gradually introducing more difficulty – for example, different floor colour or surface, and more distance.

Once he understands and reacts to the cue – which, to him, should mean ‘it’s worthwhile to use your nose now’ – start making it harder. Hide multiple pieces of food – in easy places to start with – when he’s not looking, then encourage him to search the whole room by following your hand.

Watch his body language closely. When he does a ‘hook back’ – a ‘double-take’ as he goes past something and then registers the smell and doubles back – help and encourage him to search that area, and always celebrate his finds.

Put food under a yoghurt pot – initially with him watching – and encourage him to find it. Add other pots and set it up with him out of the room. If your dog is toy-motivated, you can also do most of these exercises using a toy as the ‘bait’ and/or the reward. n Helen Taylor BSc(Hons) ADipCBM; Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB); ABTC register of Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Animal Training Instructors; full member APBC and APDT (881); phone: 07951 985193; help@helentaylordorset.co.uk; www.helentaylordorset.co.uk

Companions at Peace Pet Cremation

Independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. Collection Service Farewell Room Out of Hours Service provided Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border Contact us on: 07900 654 440 www.companionsatpeace.co.uk

KOI CARP,all sizes from £5 Tel 07745 898265

MUCKY PUPS DOG GROOMER

Friars Moor Sturminster Newton Contact Gloria 07784 332682 muckypupsfrance@yahoo.com http://muckypups-bee-online.com 15 years experience in dog grooming

Looking for good Home for two black

kittens age 4 months all vaccinated and wormed .Preferably to go together . Call 01963 32231 for further details

KC Clumber Spaniel Puppies

for sale. Call 07769323429