FabSwingers.com forum: veterinary nursing

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

So I've been wanting to do an apprenticeship for quite a number of years, but didn't get the chance, now I do. I was wondering if anyone who is in this field could answer this, do veterinary nurse euthanise animals?

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By *rsIdiotWoman
over a year ago

Bedworth

I'm not a vet nurse but know someone who is. From what she has told me, she often has to help the vet by holding an animal while it is being euthanasia but the vet is responsible for actually doing the deed.

It always makes her sad when she has to assist but it's an unavoidable part of her job

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By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

I could be wrong but I believe the actual process of euthanasia is a responsibility left to veterinary surgeons only, although you may be required to help hold or restrain the animal.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I'm not a vet nurse but know someone who is. From what she has told me, she often has to help the vet by holding an animal while it is being euthanasia but the vet is responsible for actually doing the deed.

It always makes her sad when she has to assist but it's an unavoidable part of her job"

I think that is something I would struggle with, but if its not something that happens often, I think I'd be able to deal with it in a controlled way

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

They may have to help the vet yes, it isn't pleasant

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By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

Maybe think about whether it is right for you then. It's one of the reasons I didn't persue it.

It's not all fluffy puppies and playful kittens, as a veterinary nurse you ARE going to see animals sick, injured, dying and in distress, and in some cases, animals that have been horribly attacked, either by other animals or people. And you WILL often have to help restrain animals that are in distress while the surgeon does what they need to do.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If as others have suggested you will have to assist, try to think about it from the perspective that the animal is going to be euthanised whether you assist or not. Therefore the only input you can have is to make the animal as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Turn your role into a positive, as much as you can anyway.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've been a veterinary nurse and sometimes under instruction from the vet yes you might have to assist or actually do it. Unfortunately it's all part of the job but you have to remember at least helping these animals with their suffering which is a lot more then if you were caring for humans.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It always makes her sad when she has to assist but it's an unavoidable part of her job

I think that is something I would struggle with, but if its not something that happens often, I think I'd be able to deal with it in a controlled way"

My daughter is training to become a vet she only has 2 years left, she was the same when she started but since she's been doing hands on training in a vets practice she said it's quite easy to do when you see an animal in pain and suffering, it's not a part she enjoys but she does not feel as guilty as she though she would knowing she's actually helped them, the only time she had a problem was when a woman came in with a perfectly healthy dog and whated it put to sleep because they were leaving the country and couldn't find anyone to rehome it, apparently no nurses do not do this, they assist but do not actually administer the injection

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By *uby0000Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

they usually hold the animal and try to make the animal be calmer this is why I didn't go for it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

if an animal is suffering I don't see the problem, I love animals but I'd sooner put one to sleep than see it suffer, I think you need to switch your mentality and see it as helping rather than killing

it's sad to see any animal die buy sometimes it's in the animals best interest

vets are like doctors they can't save everybody

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By *innamon!Woman
over a year ago

no matter

I am a receptionist and was often called in to hold an animal for bloods or PTS..beacause there were no nurses at my practice.

Yes nurses would assist but the Vet actually does the injection.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"if an animal is suffering I don't see the problem, I love animals but I'd sooner put one to sleep than see it suffer, I think you need to switch your mentality and see it as helping rather than killing

it's sad to see any animal die buy sometimes it's in the animals best interest

vets are like doctors they can't save everybody "

I agree, I don't see it as killing them, its so they aren't in pain anymore. Its just really hard for me as I had my 14 year old German Shepard that I had for 12 years put to sleep, 7 years ago, she had lumps all over her body and arthritis, her body had just given up.

I cant even watch The Supervet programme without blubbering!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Depends how big the practice is. Usually the vet would do it as it has to be signed off and documented. The nurse would/could assist.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If as others have suggested you will have to assist, try to think about it from the perspective that the animal is going to be euthanised whether you assist or not. Therefore the only input you can have is to make the animal as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Turn your role into a positive, as much as you can anyway."

this.

I recently had to have my own dog pts, but in the past have been the 1 holding numerous cats and kittens, youngest just a few weeks old. Im a cats protection fosterer. we do not ever have healthy aminals pts, it is always the best interests of the animal to end their suffering due to illness or injury. Its an awful part of the work, but unfortunately unavoidable at times. I would rather do it than watch them suffer when there are no other options.

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By *hyllyphyllyMan
over a year ago

Bradford

According to QI, vets have the highest suicide rate. Don't know about nurses...

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By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

"According to QI, vets have the highest suicide rate. Don't know about nurses...

I thought it was dentists?

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By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

"According to QI, vets have the highest suicide rate. Don't know about nurses...

I thought it was dentists?"

Grr, ignore me, The Big Bang Theory is interfering with my memories.

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By *hyllyphyllyMan
over a year ago

Bradford

"According to QI, vets have the highest suicide rate. Don't know about nurses...

I thought it was dentists?

Grr, ignore me, The Big Bang Theory is interfering with my memories.

If I remember correctly, vets because vets because they love animals, but spend most of their time killing them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"According to QI, vets have the highest suicide rate. Don't know about nurses...

I thought it was dentists?

Grr, ignore me, The Big Bang Theory is interfering with my memories.

If I remember correctly, vets because vets because they love animals, but spend most of their time killing them."

not killing, being unable to save.

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By *imiUKMan
over a year ago

Hereford

As far as I recall, I've never seen a vet nurse assist.

To be fair, if you are wanting to do that job, death is something you ought to become used to.

I did my work experience as a vet nurse when I was a kid, and I was often in the room if an owner didn't want to be with their animal when it was killed. Mostly to mop up the piss and help the vet get it into a bag. Still not a fan of lethal injection, lead injection seems quicker and less stressful for the animal.

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By *hyllyphyllyMan
over a year ago

Bradford

not killing, being unable to save.

Aye, putting them out of their misery, etc etc

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By *imiUKMan
over a year ago

Hereford

it's sad to see any animal die buy sometimes it's in the animals best interest

vets are like doctors they can't save everybody "

There are few mercies in life as undervalued as a swift death.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

it's sad to see any animal die buy sometimes it's in the animals best interest

vets are like doctors they can't save everybody

There are few mercies in life as undervalued as a swift death."

this..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"According to QI, vets have the highest suicide rate. Don't know about nurses...

I thought it was dentists?

Grr, ignore me, The Big Bang Theory is interfering with my memories.

If I remember correctly, vets because vets because they love animals, but spend most of their time killing them.

not killing, being unable to save.

Not really a lot of perfectly healthy animals are destroyed simply because they can't find someone to keep paying for them.

Someone's gotta kill all the dogs that spend too long in the shelter or that are deemed too difficult to rehouse.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I could go through myerscough college, they've got they're own vet surgery and student accommodation but its in Chester, but I suppose if I wanted to do my level 3, it wouldn't be a bad option

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I could go through myerscough college, they've got they're own vet surgery and student accommodation but its in Chester, but I suppose if I wanted to do my level 3, it wouldn't be a bad option"

go for it!

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

hmmm I miss my dog.

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

but yes, it was old age that took him, not our vet. It's a great career I'd think

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"hmmm I miss my dog. "

miss mine too. think its time to rescue another.x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"but yes, it was old age that took him, not our vet. It's a great career I'd think"

mine had a stroke, so i took him to vets a cuddled him while he went,x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I could go through myerscough college, they've got they're own vet surgery and student accommodation but its in Chester, but I suppose if I wanted to do my level 3, it wouldn't be a bad option

go for it!

Think I might! Will talk to my parents tomorrow about it tomorrow

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"hmmm I miss my dog. "

I miss mine too, we had her for 12 years and she was put down at the age of 14 so she did well!

I'd love to have a dog again!

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