“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there,” said the Cheshire Cat to Alice when she tumbled into Wonderland in Lewis Carroll’s timeless tome.
Sometimes, it can feel like we’ve fallen down the rabbit hole completely, with no sense of direction or idea of where we should go or what we should do next.
Challenge accepted
Yet, it appears RVNs can do plenty if contemplating a new challenge, as you will hopefully see in the October edition of VN Times – from volunteering with rhinos to topping up your skill set or retraining completely, all while still putting your knowledge to good use by caring for animals in need.
Research has revealed confusion still reigns around the exact nature of the role of the RVN, which suggests more needs to be done to raise its profile in the eyes of colleagues and clients.
Yet, take heart. As we speak (or indeed, as I write), steps are being taken across the profession to tackle this issue – from career advisory days to research projects on how to effect change.
What’s more, moves are also being made to boost diversity in all forms, as you will see in the pages of October’s VN Times. So, instead of existing in a career cul-de-sac, it would appear a plethora of new paths exist for RVNs to take.
Make your choice
The only real problem is choosing which exciting route to traverse first.
When Alice asked the Cheshire Cat which way she ought to go, he said: “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
The question is, rather excitingly, where do you want to go? Look to the horizon; the possibilities are endless.
What a month is has been. Surely, August 2018 will go down in the annals of history as one the most prolific in the fight for animal welfare in England.
From the banning of puppy and kitten sales in pet shops to outlawing electric shock collars, campaigners have had a spate of notable victories to celebrate in a matter of weeks which, it is hoped, will enhance animal welfare and shape a better future for pets and owners alike.
Indeed, such has been the influx of news, we were still filing articles on the day of going to print, to ensure the latest news – the electric collar ban – reached you hot of the press.
But new causes and campaigns are never far away, as evidenced by the fact that, according to some organisations, cats are the latest victims of the public’s “thirst for endless novelty” with RVNs again “ideally placed” to help tackle the issue.
Every little helps
Yet it doesn’t matter if you are fighting on the front line of a campaign trail or caring for a forlorn feline in a small animal practice; every act, every consult and every action is an amazing feat and should be applauded.
You transform the lives of animals and their owners daily, and make their futures a little brighter in the process.
With so much demanded of RVNs, I imagine it could be easy to get a little overwhelmed. In the face of conflict, Second World War politicians sought to raise the British public’s morale with the ”Keep Calm and Carry On” posters. They seemed to work. Sound, and still relevant, advice methinks.
If animals could speak – from kittens in clinic to rescued horses – I am think they would say “thank you” for all your hard work. Which is what I want to say too, as it happens.
Whoever you are and whatever you do, keep up the amazing work and (to coin the phrase) keep calm and carry on. When future generations are reflecting on this pivotal time in animal care, you can say with pride “I was there”.
It is a universally acknowledged fact that 100 years ago, millions of women won the right to vote.
What is not so well known, perhaps, is the same passage of time has passed since men were also granted suffrage.
Prior to the 1918 Representation of the People Act, democracy was restricted to wealthy males. After its introduction, suddenly, and for the first time, a generation of working class British men – some still embroiled in the First World War – were able to have a say on who they wanted to see in power.
Now, I am no politician, nor a member of your esteemed profession, but if I could vote in VN council elections or express my view via the ongoing consultation, I would.
Make a difference
Democracy was restricted to wealthy males until 1918, when a generation of working class men – some of whom served in the First World War – were able to vote. “British soldiers in action” by Champagnepapi22 is licensed under CC BY 4.0
People fought tooth and nail – some even gave their lives – to enable every man and woman to vote. Compared to that, putting a cross on a ballot paper seems ridiculously easy, and surely worth a few minutes of anyone’s time?
As incoming RCVS VN council chairman Racheal Marshall says in the August edition of VN Times, this is your profession and you can play a vital part in shaping it.
Life is about looking forward with hope, not backwards with regret. Your voice can make a difference to your future life and career – and to those people yet to come. Why not make it the best version possible?
That is, after all, what those brave people did for us many years ago. The simplest of human rights seemed like an impossible, unobtainable goal, but they never gave in and, in so doing, altered the course of history.
Positive change can occur, if only we have the courage to take the first step.
Public voting on shortlisted entries begins on 02 October, 2018
Whether much-loved pets, grazing livestock or weird and wonderful wildlife, little gives many people more pleasure than seeing animals out and about in the great outdoors.
So, we’ve decided on the theme of “Out and About” for the VN Times 2019 calendar, and can’t wait to see your photos of all creatures great and small at large in Mother Nature.
Maybe a dog is having the time of its life on a sunny beach walk, or a cat is frolicking in your back garden? Perhaps you’ve encountered a deer in a country park, or spotted a lion striking an unusual pose while on a trip to the safari park? Or perhaps something in a field of cows and sheep has caught your eye? Whatever the scenario, we want entries for the next VN Times calendar competition, and if it’s a good enough photo it may be used to illustrate a month, or even the front cover.
Please supply the best quality and largest image you can. Avoid downsampling images for emailing purposes, choosing “Actual Size” if prompted. Most smartphones and digital cameras will take a reasonable quality photo. A minimum file size of about 1.6MB should be sufficient. Anything smaller may mean the image will be unusable.
It is a renowned fact among the veterinary profession that the number of brachycephalic breeds in rehoming centres is soaring.
As veterinary nurses it needs to be our role to educate owners-to-be on which breed of dog is the most suitable for their circumstances. This allows owners to make informed decisions when opting to either purchase a puppy or rehome a dog.
Statistics
In September 2017, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home published a press release featuring the story of Piccalilli the French bulldog, which also contained information on how the rehoming centre was experiencing an increase in the number of brachycephalic breeds needing homes. In 2017, it took in 29 French bulldogs for rehoming, whereas in 2014 only 8 were taken in.
The Kennel Club (KC) also published data stating the amount of registrations for French bulldogs has also increased greatly. In 2007, 692 French bulldogs were registered. Whereas, by 2016, 21,470 were registered – that’s 20,778 more French bulldogs in the space of nine years.
All in all, the breed has seen an “astronomical” 2,964% increase in the past 10 years, The KC said.
Why is this happening?
Pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs – collectively known as “brachycephalic” breeds – are widely deemed as “fashionable” due to the number of celebrities who own and flaunt them on social media platforms.
The influence from celebrities and the media, such as TV adverts, are having a strong impact on the public’s demand and want for these breeds. They are being bred uncontrollably to emphasise the large bulging eyes, tight skin folds and extremely short snouts causing their distinctive “snorting” noise. These features on the pug and French bulldog are all considered as cute by members of the public, and demand is high for them – and where there is demand, there will always be supply.
Unrecognised health issues
The reason why we are seeing the increase of brachycephalic breeds in rehoming centres is due to the health problems owners are unaware of, and the lack of funding to afford the veterinary bills to manage or correct them.
When these dogs are bred irresponsibly (for example, to exaggerate the “flat face” look), they can incur a whole lot of health risks. The most common is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which occurs in all brachycephalic breeds to a greater or lesser extent.
Other health problems in these breeds include:
entropion
luxating patella
hip dysplasia
skin disease
uroliths
intervertebral disc disease
Owners are not being made aware substantially of these health risks and the seriousness of them – most of the disorders listed require either surgical correction/repair or life-long medication, which, in turn, costs a fair amount of money.
What can VNs do?
I believe nurse clinics are one of the most important aspects of our job.
In clinics, we are given the opportunity to build up a rapport with clients and, consequently, a trust relationship with them. Often – as opposed to vet consultations – we can spend more time with our clients in a more relaxed setting. These are a great opportunity to educate clients and use tools to demonstrate our knowledge as VNs.
Done incorrectly, the prospect of pre-purchase consultations with nurses could come across to clients as “lecture-like” or monotonous, but they don’t need to be like this. Instead, they could be based on a puppy party structure, but for pre-puppy or dog owners.
Clarification for clients
To begin, prepare a questionnaire for them to fill out in advance, taking details of their home circumstances, then bring together a group of three or four clients to discuss different breeds and their suitability.
Informational leaflets can be designed for prospective owners, explaining how to choose a healthily bred puppy and what to ask breeders; and fact sheets could include details of breed health pre-dispositions, how much food and exercise certain breeds require, as well as information on training and puppy classes. A “pre-parent pack” could be put together containing this information.
If we can educate owners on health problems – not just brachycephalic breeds – it could deter clients from purchasing breeds inappropriate for them or their lifestyles, and provide accurate information on how to purchase responsibly. This could contribute to breaking the “supply and demand” cycle of irresponsibly bred dogs.
Life doesn’t come with a manual, more’s the pity. How much easier would it be if we were automatons, told exactly where to go and what to do? No big decisions to be made or uncertain futures to be faced.
But then, there wouldn’t be any adventures either. With no guidebook, we have to choose our own career (great choice, by the way) and chart our own course.
You can read all about people navigating their own futures in this edition; from the nurse set to become a social media star to the RVNs behind Kent’s newest veterinary nursing school.
Indeed, education is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving, long after we have left our school days behind. Noel Fitzpatrick, aka “The Supervet”, discusses this very notion, and how it could tackle the retention crisis.
Seize opportunities
As you will hopefully see from the July issue of VN Times, opportunities are all around you; whether you want a fresh start, to take on a new role or help others on their journey (see opposite page for an inspiring mentor-student story).
You have the freedom to choose your next move, whatever it may be.
The poet Erin Hanson wrote: “And you ask, ‘what if I fall?’ Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”
Change can be scary. But it can also be exhilarating, liberating and exciting – and it happens all the time.
By the time you read this, for example, Harry and Meghan will have made one of the biggest changes possible by embarking on married life (read how some homeless hounds marked the occasion on page 1 of June’s edition of VN Times).
Closer to home, plans to open the UK’s ninth vet school in 2020 have been given the green light (page 1) and it is anticipated the collaboration between Keele and Harper Adams Universities will foster strong relationships between vets, RVNs and animal care professionals from the start.
Dare to dream
Effecting change or undertaking a challenge takes strength and bravery – from creating a district VN conference (page 2) to volunteering abroad (page 2). Yet daring to dream pays off, as you will see in the pages that follow. For my part, becoming VN Times editor is a big change, but a dream come true, and I am honoured to be penning (or rather, typing) this foreword.
I have long admired the profession and am constantly inspired by, and in awe of, your dedication and commitment – not only to animals you care for, but owners, colleagues and people outside the veterinary sphere, who you help in so many ways on a daily basis.
Danny Kaye once said: “Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it.” I invite you to use this magazine as your own canvas to share your news, views and ideas.
Wonderful things occur in the profession every day – from fund-raisers and scientific breakthroughs, to personal achievements and team victories, and I, for one, cannot wait to hear all about them.
So, as we step into the future together, I urge you to be proud of who you are and what you do, and embrace change. Exciting times are ahead, and who knows? Perhaps the best is yet to come…
