Clinical Questions - Recent Threads

Low flow anaesthesia - is it worth it?

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:11:25 GMT

I have a plan. Once a week, I'm going to try and post a question which challenges the prevailing veterinary orthodoxy. Not to criticise or judge, just to raise the question.

This week’s question was prompted by IVC Evidensia’s £500,000 investment into low-flow anaesthesia, framed largely around sustainability, and I'd be fascinated to hear what vet nurses think about this subject:

https://www.vetnurse.co.uk/b/veterinary-nursing-news/posts/ivc-evidensia-invests-500-000-to-support-adoption-of-more-sustainable-low-flow-anaesthesia

The announcement very much led on sustainability. I dug a little deeper and discovered that UK veterinary anaesthesia emissions are estimated at under 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year. A single medium-sized coal-fired power station emits several million tonnes annually. One plant. Millions.

Even allowing for hundreds of such plants globally, veterinary anaesthesia is — in planetary terms — a very small contributor.

Which brings me to the question: is low-flow worth it?

People talk about smoother recoveries, reduced hypothermia, better airway humidity, lower volatile use. But is there hard data showing meaningful patient benefit? I can’t see evidence of improved survival rates, and mortality under modern anaesthesia is already low.

So the practical questions are:

How much more does low-flow cost once you factor in monitoring, consumables and training?

Does it actually shorten recovery in a way that changes discharge timing or cost to the owner?

Is there a clear per-case cost-benefit analysis?

I’m not taking a position. I’m simply asking whether the numbers stack up — clinically and economically — not just environmentally, and I'm really interested to hear what veterinary nurses' take on it is.

Happy Christmas everyone

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:53:37 GMT

And a happy new year!

Are you worried about IV complications? Which tape to use? How to bandage? Here's a chance to discuss....

Georgie Hollis — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:55:41 GMT

The next bandaging angels clinical club is up tomorrow 19th of November at 12:30. It's live and free and if you have burning questions and controversies in practice please make the time to join us live. We will explore the common problems and the science of bandaging to see if you're achieving the best results. This will be a session led by you. You need to be in it to win it!

If you're not already registered to watch the Bandaging Angels Clinical Club you can do so here: https://form.jotform.com/Georgieiwc/bandaging-angels-clinical-club-regi

Would you like to learn about the applications of negative pressure wound therapy in practice?

Georgie Hollis — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 20:38:51 GMT

Free webinar, the first of a series on the practical applications of NPWT in the referral and hospital setting.

This is an incredibly helpful tool to aid wound bed preparation and actively improve rates of healing while reducing interventions required to get to a surgically viable closure.

This series is provided by Aluco Health - a company committed to innovations for animal health and welfare first solutions for better care.

Visit www.alucohealth.com for more information on NPWT and the philosophy behind it.

Help with disinfectant

PJ Zurawel — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:54:41 GMT

We are finding that our disinfectant that we are using is very abrasive especially on the rubber mats that we have on the tables. We have triple checked the dilution rates but this has not made any difference.

Can anyone recommend a disinfectant that is a bit kinder to the rubber surfaces??

Vetasept Chlorhex Spray alternative??

Calli D — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:50:57 GMT

Hello all - after some advice and/or what you use in practice for skin prep for sampling/Iv's etc.

Up until now we have been using Vetasept Chlorhex Spray as final application skin prep for sampling, iv's and surgical procedures but now it is no longer available. Searches for an alternative are proving fruitless and NVS say there is nothing and won't be.

What are people using?

Thank you

Can you recommend a company that gives in house CPR training?

lskm 23 — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:08:37 GMT

We are looking for in house training for CPR and wondered if you lovely people could recommend a company? I have contacted Vet Med CPR and also Synergy CPD but my boss would like to see dhat rlse is available.

Thank you in advance

️Complete our survey for a chance to win 1 of 5 FULLY LOADED nursing belts ️

Jess Walsh — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:35:29 GMT

Our next Bandaging Angels Clinical Club on July 16th is proudly presented in collaboration with Millpledge Veterinary – leaders in innovative healthcare solutions and we are giving away 5 nursing belts with everything you need to be a wizard at wound care!

Your support with this survey will help us make this session fit the challenges you face and better answer your questions live!

PLUS - did you know you can log this survey AND our Clinical Club as FREE CPD?

ENTER SURVEY HERE!

Advanced dental equipment help

Claire Kealey — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:35:10 GMT

Hi all

I don't suppose there is anyone that has a guide on how best to organise endodontic equipment?

My vet has started doing root canals and I'm having problems with the various files and barbed broaches getting mixed up. I'd also like to organise the equipment in a way which helps my vet work quickly rather than having to spend their time looking through the various files etc.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated!

Bandaging Angels Small Animal Roadshow - Twycross!

Jess Walsh — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:05:08 GMT

Eeeek! We're SO excited to meet you all at our upcoming Bandaging Angels Small Animal Roadshow at Twycross Zoo - the final one!

Lovely venue, lovely people, lovely food AND hands-on evidence-based PRACTICAL learning to take back to practice Kindly sponsored by Millpledge Veterinary - We LOVE their RapZ

If you still want to join us, there are a couple of tickets left, but BE QUICK!! - https://www.bandagingangels.com/roadshows.html

ethylene oxide sterilisation - NW England

Sarah Gough — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:01:31 GMT

Is anyone in the North West England using ethylene oxide sterilisation? If so would it be possible to sterilise some GB bird coded microchips? Happy to pay a fee if necessary etc.

WIN Survey Voucher - Instrument Care: How well do you look after yours?

Jess Walsh — Tue, 20 May 2025 11:37:45 GMT

Our recent Bandaging Angels Clinical Club is one that may seem to have a tenuous link to wound management, but, it's a closer link that you might think!

Instrument performance and aseptic technique is directly linked to surgical success. Halsted understood this before the 1900's as he highlighted the golden rules of successful surgery:

Gentle handling of tissue
Meticulous haemostasis
Preservation of blood supply
Strict aseptic technique
Minimum tension on tissues
Accurate tissue apposition
Obliteration of headspace

The consequences of incorrect processing of instruments due to incorrect soaking times, dilutions and pre-cleansing can result in the potential for inadvertent cross contamination or corrosion that results in poor instrument performance due to a shortened life span.

Alongside our Bandaging Angels Clinical Club, we launched a survey to help us better understand the challenges you face and the factors that influence the processes you use. While we usually host these questions through interactive voting, this subject requires more depth than we will have time to host live. Your contribution now will really help us tailor the advice and responses to better fit practice.

PLEASE DO complete the short survey and you will be in with a chance to win a £25 Amazon Voucher as a heartfelt thank you!

Instrument Care Survey

Is anyone struggling to administer Specific Intensive Support via tube?

Hayley Squires — Fri, 09 May 2025 10:06:35 GMT

We have a jaw # cat who has an O tube, we used to use the Royal Canin liquid in a bottle for our tube feeds however we're unable to get it anymore.

We are trying Specific Intensive Support however it seems to clog the O tube fairly regularly... It is being shaken before use and warmed before administering. It even clogs with extra water added.

Patient has a 10f O tube which had to be replaced yesterday for blockage.

I would like to learn more about the care of Bearded Dragons. Can anyone recommend any courses/CPD

Claire Huxtable — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:34:38 GMT

I would like to learn more about the care of Bearded Dragons. Can anyone recommend any courses/CPD

Interested in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy? Free online CPD now available.

Georgie Hollis — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:13:01 GMT

In recent years the range of NWPT devices available have varied - most of them are from human healthcare and some no longer support the Veterinary market. This can be frustrating in terms of finding consumables and support for use. Aluco Health have recently launched a veterinary specific device that is dedicated to animal health and supporting clinical teams to get the best from their technology. Their new device is easy to use and robust and is available to rent or purchase to suit different types of practice needs. Clinical support is on hand if you are new to this type of therapy or just want to know a bit more about how it could help with specific cases.

The free online CPD session is clinically focused and will specific to covers the essentials of wound management and wound bed preparation as well as the typical applications that can benefit from NPWT. Visit: https://www.alucohealth.com/latest-news#/ for more information and to book your session at a time to suit your team.

We will also be covering the subject at the upcoming Bandaging Angels Clinical Club on the 16th of April at 12:30 pm.

Clinical Clubs are run each month live online and are free to attend. Click the link to register. https://form.jotform.com/Georgieiwc/bandaging-angels-clinical-club-regi?

Hope this is of interest and happy to answer any questions relating to NPWT in this thread!

I need to rant!!

FINNIGAN — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:23:47 GMT

Hi all just need to rant!

im a 61 yr old vet nurse, 19 yrs experience, work full time, have 5 degrees in different subjects under my belt, im looking for new position due to new management bullying etc,

i have been to 3 interviews in the last month, having sent my cv that states my date of birth!

but all 3 interviews i have been asked how i think id manage the job due to my age!!!!

i have no issues regarding my work role, can still lift a 40 kg dog, I swim 4 times a week, walk my dog without a zimmer frame, go to the gym 3 days a week lifting 35 kg weights!

im getting peed off being asked this question!

im pretty sure they are not allowed to ask this, and why interview me if my age seems to be a problem, its on my cv??

im starting to think my nurse days are over, im so cross, i have plenty of experience and still a lot of years left in me, I could teach most of them a thing or to, i wont need time off for child care or maternity leave!

what is wrong with this world!

Interview

FINNIGAN — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:56:17 GMT

I’ve got an interview and have been told il be asked some clinical competency questions help! Wat will I be asked

FREE Monthly Clinical Club to address real practice challenges!

Jess Walsh — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:16:30 GMT

The Bandaging Angels are proud to announce the launch of their brand new 'Clinical Club' - a monthly Zoom meeting to discuss prevalent concerns & challenges within important areas in practice. With support from specialists and sponsors, this is a very exciting opportunity to get involved in peer discussion and collaborate toward better, safer & kinder outcomes.

Suitable for Vets, Nurses & Students - Free to attend, recorded & CPD certificates available - register below, limited places available.

Bandaging Angels Clinical Club Registration

Looking for practical Wound Management & Bandaging CPD?

Jess Walsh — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:11:59 GMT

Our Small Animal Roadshows are approaching us fast, and there's STILL time to book your ticket

These are fun, intensive, comprehensive 1 day CPDs, designed to enhance your knowledge AND practical skills. Designed for vets, nurses and students, and includes a tasty lunch!

We teach evidence based content to help you bandage safer, to overcome and avoid complications and to truly understand why things go wrong if they do. We are motivated by the welfare of animals, and helping you get the best outcomes for your patients. Our team are all amazing RVNs who are passionate about the subject and brilliantly informed

4 venues/dates available

BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE - Bandaging Angels 2025 Roadshow Event Registration

What changes to Schedule 3 would you make?

Dan Lidgbird — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:44:31 GMT

If the current VSA is to be reformed and Schedule 3 is to be updated, what as nurses would you like to be changed within Schedule 3 i.e more clinical duties etc

Should we calibrate / service a multi-parameter machine that has not been used for ages?

jo wynn — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:35:09 GMT

We have a multi-parameter machine that has not been used for ages.

Would people suggest a service/ calibration?

Who do people use?

Thanks

For drug doses, how do you work out what the ideal BCS/lean body weight should be?

AliTee — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:34:02 GMT

Does anybody calculate drug dosages according to ideal BCS/ lean body weight rather than actual body weight in overweight /obese patients? If so, what evidence did you use and how do you work out what the ideal BCS/lean body weight should be, please?

Fasting periods for lactating queen's and bitches

Laura-marie Jenner — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:47:25 GMT

A work colleague is trying to find information on fasting periods for lactating cats and dogs. Does anyone have any good articles on this?

I would like to learn more about the care of Bearded Dragons. Can anyone recommend any courses/CPD

Claire Huxtable — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:31:41 GMT

I would like to learn more about the care of Bearded Dragons. Can anyone recommend any courses/CPD

Hi all, I need your help

Lauren.wilko — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:53:21 GMT

Are you a student or registered veterinary nurse currently training or working in England? Please read.

Hello! my name is Lauren Wilkinson, and I am in my 4^th year of Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour BSc at the University of Bristol. As part of my final year, I am undertaking a dissertation on the confidence of student and registered veterinary nurses with the exotic pet species.

I would really appreciate if you would take the 10 minutes of your day to participate in the survey linked below. If unable to participate, don’t worry you can still help by distributing my survey to friends and colleagues who may fit the criteria.

https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/svs/confidence-of-veterinary-nurses-in-the-nursing-care-of-the-exot

The closing date and time for this survey is (28/02/2025).

Thank you for reading my post!