horrible start to the day

Re: horrible start to the day

Sal the 1st — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:10:25 GMT

were I used to work - no access to the poisons cupboard till vet got there with the keys - so it never became an issue.but have been in this situation elsewhere, I agree tho it is a lousy start to the day and even tho you have done all you can it can leave you feeling terrible

Re: horrible start to the day

hissycat — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:02:33 GMT

I know that technically euthanasia can be carried out humanely by anyone, but pentobarb is a drug that can only be prescribed by a vet so I don't know where you would stand if you used this in practice without their being present and assessing the situation? Not sure if telephone permission would count? I agree as an RVN you seem to have to be pretty careful now in covering your own back. Can anyone clarfiy on this?

Re: horrible start to the day

Nicola Smith — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:31:23 GMT

I hd this problem where I used to work. Vets would frquently snd animals down out of hours for nurse to assess, and would turn up about an hour later themselves if at all. I had a few cases of animals dying - they would have died anyway but just sitting watching them is awfu.

The one that sticks in my mind thankfully with a good outcome was a dog choking on a chew. Came in struggling- watching dog get worse and worse, dog finally collapsed, manged to remove chew with owners help, put in an et tube and give oxygen. Vet finally arrived by which time dog was up and about again, and then had a go at me for not phoning him to tell him not to come. Oh an then told the clients no charge- said that he coul not charge for nurse time!!! Made me feel like a pointless pile of *** Hmm glad I don't work there anymore, even though that vet has thankfully left now as he felt it was below him to have to deal wth the general public of a lesser intelligence than him - yes those were his words. Sorry for the rant

Re: horrible start to the day

Shane — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:20:51 GMT

Sorry you had to experience that. Sounds like you acted professionally and did not panic and you showed the client you cared enough to monitor the cat. Well done.

Re: horrible start to the day

VNing 25yrs — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:19:32 GMT

Violet,

This really is an unfortunate situation and I really feel for you. I too have been in this situation in the past, but not because of a late arriving vet, I just happened to be where the horse was when it collapsed and died.

It might help you to read your RVN Guide to Professional Conduct, page 27 onward about euthanasia. The RCVS says that 'Euthanasia is not, in law, an act of veterinary surgery, and may be carried out by anyone provided that it is carried out humanely'. They are referring to the euthanasia of a healthy animal in this instance but the guidance may help you work through this in your mind. Sometimes good things can come out of the horrific situations we face, and maybe this will spark some good discussion and new policies in your practice.

Also, on page 5 there are the 10 guiding principles that we are expected to follow as RVNs, good stuff and well worth memorising as they serve as reminders as to why we have signed up to the register.

Re: horrible start to the day

Emma Greene — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:16:09 GMT

Hi, I dont claim to be any kind of expert as i'm only 8 months qualified, but sound like you acted in a sensitive and professional manner. It's a really hard situation to be in and it could potentially would have been very difficult to place a catheter and inject dolethol with only an already disressed owner for help, IMHO could potentially make the situation worse for the owner. I think i'd have done the same in your situation, follow the vets advice, however, like i said i'm not long qualified. Try not to beat yourself up.