Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Emma P — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 22:47:50 GMT

I would doubt that the boss is or has been doing any of the caring for this cat. He/she seems to have just made the choice not to euthanize - but is expecting his staff to do the caring.

The OP - I am sure they did not mean to - has come across as somewhat uncaring to me. As I said in my post I am biased in my views here. There are homes and places this cat could be moved to - leaving it in a kennel is not the answer. BUT while it is left languishing in a kennel surely part of being a nurse is to provide care and attention regardless of who put the cat there in the first place.

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 22:29:09 GMT

[quote user="Emma P"]Not sure if OP meant it to read as it does - but sounds like they would rather put the poor old thing to sleep than give up a bit of time to care for it.[/quote]

I guess we read it differently then. I read that the boss has decided to keep and care for the cat, but then isn't prepared to do the actual caring on bank holidays.

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Emma P — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 22:00:50 GMT

Just seen this thread and could not agree with Sal more.

A large part of nursing is animal welfare - just because the animal is not attractive and has some problems does not mean it does not deserve love and care - even if it is at Christmas. Not sure if OP meant it to read as it does - but sounds like they would rather put the poor old thing to sleep than give up a bit of time to care for it.

I am biased as I work for a non-destruction charity - and we successfully home lots of cats which are old, have chronic health problems or are just not attractive. Feel very sad for this cat - if it is still alive and in London or surround area could the OP please contact me to see of we can take this poor old soul.

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Lor12 — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 08:19:29 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]

I really dont have an issue with euthanasing an animal that has poor quality of life which is unlikely to improve - but it was the title of this post that made me take a step back ' Is it fair asking nurses to look after strays over the xmas ooh period?'

when I read that it made me think - is this cat needing euthanasia because

its an inconvenience to the staff

its quality of life really is that bad that it needs pts

the title of the post suggested to me that inconvenience was the primary consideration with qol coming only a poor second - or maybe I got that wrong?

it was only after a few posts that there was more detail added on the cats actual condition

[/quote]

This is the way the post came across to me also and why I felt the need to reply, none of us I'm sure get particularly excited about working weekends/bank holidays but we do it because we love the profession we are in, it came across as an inconvenience in the OP which is very sad especially as she is a student nurse at the beginning of her career.

The ins and outs of the cats problems is irrelevant as the title of the OP was asking whether it was fair, the staff need to speak to their boss if they have a problem but in the meantime they need to provide care to the cat in order to give it some quality of life!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Lor12 — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 08:12:39 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]

for those who subscribe to re incarnation please note

dont come back as a stray cat

and if you do dont come back as a stray cat with a snotty nose

and if you do definitely definitely do not go near a veterinary practice where you might need attention over a weekend or bank holiday unless you are on the very best of terms with the people who fill the food bowl.

[/quote]

My thoughts exactly!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Joanna Christoffersen — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 04:58:34 GMT

One question I have is has the cat been tried on Bisolvon powder? As a pinch of this on his/her food everyday should help with all the mucus and make him less snotty. Is he actually infectious to other cats and could he actually go and live in a home somewhere or is he too sick for that and genuinely just needs to be put to sleep? I think this questions need to seriously be considered as the vet obviously has their reasons for not wanting to put this cat down so all other options should be explored to try and make this poor cat happy! If this cat could have a good QOL in a home then let me know as I may be able to help, depending on where you're based! Good luck!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:37:53 GMT

when I read that it made me think - is this cat needing euthanasia because

its an inconvenience to the staff

its quality of life really is that bad that it needs pts

the title of the post suggested to me that inconvenience was the primary consideration with qol coming only a poor second - or maybe I got that wrong?

it was only after a few posts that there was more detail added on the cats actual condition

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:07:40 GMT

[quote user="lavetnurse"]We have tried to clean its face up and apply cream to its nose and put fucithalmic in its eyes but it gets very aggressive and is just not possible.[/quote]

Sounds like it is in pain, to me!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:05:10 GMT

I suppose I am biased because I was put in this position. In my first job the flat (attached to the practice) came with a pet also attached. A snotty, chronic cat flu cat whom I was supposed to just take on as mine cos 'he lives in the flat too'. Oh, and I obviously couldn't have a cat or dog of my own. The cat really was grim - proper green slime pouring out of every facial orifice. If it had been mine, I would have simply accepted it and considered him whenever I wanted holidays, new pets etc. But I wasn't happy to simply take responsibility for it - and I made that clear. The previous vet, who had taken on the cat in the first place, came and collected him after a couple of weeks.

I agree that we are in a caring profession, and none of us would see any pet suffer. I'm sure the OP would be happy to give up their precious family time on Christmas day if this cat wasn't owned. However, it is! The boss has apparently decided to give it some sort of a life within the practice. That is their choice. Expecting the staff to then take on caring for it on their holidays is unreasonable.

I am surprised so many people are playing the emotional card. Clients often expect us to go way beyond the call of duty in order to pass their own responsibilities on to us - after all 'we won't let it suffer, will we, because we're animal lovers?' Just because none of us want to see any animal suffer, doesn't mean that sentiment should be abused by our employers!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Nicola Smith — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 15:09:33 GMT

Feel sorry for the poor little cat but it does deserve proper care. It doesn't matter how grumpy or snotty it is we are nurses to care for them whatever they are like. He can still get interaction - if you are concerned re other patients then barrier nurse him - but he still needs interaction it isn't fair on him to just be ignored. After all it isn't his fault that he is snotty. Im sure the vet must have reasons for not wanting to euthanize though ultimately sounds like the decision will have to be made - but while he is still on this earth he deserves care and compassion - the same as any of us would expect in our terminal days. I know its rubbish having to go in over xmas but if shared out between the nurses shouldn't be too bad and we didn't go into vet nursing for the sociable hours or amazing pay!!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Alison Clare Hickman — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 14:53:51 GMT

this is so sad all round; for the poorly puss cat and for you guys trying to do your best by him/her and the rest of the practice patients. I am torn. What would I do? After thinking about this for a good few hours I conclude that I am in agreement with those of us that advocate for the vet whom does not wish to euthanise this scrap of life to care for him/her over the festive period. Otherwise, if this is not going to happen, then I would revert to the decision my heart dictates and do it myself. I became a nurse to assist and care for animals and would not want to be found lacking when I encounter a difficulty and have to sacrifice my own needs to service theirs. Perhaps in the New Year your vet will consider this cat's mental welfare being cooped up all day and come to a sensible decision. I hope so. I would also add that I have been in a (similar-ish) situation myself and despite my endeavours over a looooooong Easter Bank holiday weekend the only one that thought well of my efforts was me and the hedgehog... but I'd do it again.

Love to all. Peace and goodwill.

Ali h

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

lavetnurse — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 08:43:24 GMT

It was tested for fiv but nothing else, its not vaccinated and hasn't had a t4 which would probably be positive. The boss took it in and despite other vets wanting to euthanise it he has said no. We feed it what is in stock or open tins of a/d that haven't been finished. We all agree its no life for it and it will never get a home but we don't want to handle it more than we absolutely must as don't want to pass on anything to clients animals. We have tried to clean its face up and apply cream to its nose and put fucithalmic in its eyes but it gets very aggressive and is just not possible.

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Sal the 1st — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 23:20:49 GMT

for those who subscribe to re incarnation please note

dont come back as a stray cat

and if you do dont come back as a stray cat with a snotty nose

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:51:23 GMT

[quote user="Lor12"]Doesnt it deserve as much care as a paying client's pet? [/quote]

Whose pet is it??? Ultimately, someone HAS to take responsibility for it!

If the cat belongs to the boss (ie he/she is paying for food, will provide any necessary medical treatment etc) then it is squarely their responsibility to look after it.

If the practice, as a whole, decided to look after the cat then the whole practice should take turns to care for it.

However, IMHO, keeping a cat in a cage permanently, with little human interaction for large chunks of the day and all night and weekend, is cruel. I'd also be curious to know if it has been screened to make sure it isn't spreading cat flu viruses throughout the kennels and all over the staff...???

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Lor12 — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:21:44 GMT

Doesnt it deserve as much care as a paying client's pet? It may be kinder to put to sleep but if that's not going to happen then in my opinion you have a duty of care to look after him, xmas or no xmas... sorry if it sounds harsh but we are in this profession to care arent we?!

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Selena Carnell — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 17:12:39 GMT

does sound like it need pts really

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

lavetnurse — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 16:35:53 GMT

Im not allowed pets due to living in a rented house and i wouldn't want its snotty discharge over everything and the fact that when its loose in the room it just goes to the loo as and where it likes despite the fact it has a litter tray, so no thankyou.

Re: Is it fair asking nurses to look after stray over xmas ooh period?

Laura Ringsell — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 16:30:12 GMT

Simples - take it home with you. Give it a happy Christmas with a better qol and feel all the better for it.