This week, for Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, we wanted to flag up the diagnostic work our Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) are involved with to help with identifying health issues and getting your pet back on the road to recovery. All in-house blood testing is processed by our nursing team using the biochemistry and haematology analysers in our diagnostic suite, with results sent to the pet’s history ready for vet interpretation. Our nursing team is also responsible for in-house urine testing to check for things like kidney function and protein levels incase of kidney disease, glucose levels for diabetes or to see whether there’s any crystal formation or presence of blood which can be an indicator of cystitis. Our nurses will also use the microscope to examine specific samples including skin scrapes for parasites including ear mites. They can look pretty creepy close up!
Our RVNs also play an important role in scanning and x-raying, helping position pets, and they will often assist by taking x rays ready for vet interpretation to help keep the ops list moving smoothly on busy days. And if we need to use a bronchoscope to inspect down a pet’s nose or throat, the supporting nurse will often operate the biopsy or collection device while the vet operates the scope.
A nurse’s role is hugely important in so many elements of your pet’s care. Our nursing team is truly amazing! If you are interested in finding out more about what veterinary nurses do for people’s pets, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) are running a webinar entitled My Pet’s Veterinary Nurse on this exact topic at 7.30pm tonight. Click here and register before 4pm to receive a zoom link to the webinar. Alternatively, you can watch live on the BVNA’s Facebook stream.