SVN 2 RVN

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SVN 2 RVN

SVN2RVN training is run by me, Shelly an RVN with over 20 years experience in veterinary nursing and with over 15 of those years as a clinical coach.

I hope to share some hints and tips for student nurses and their clinical coach's to help with training.

27/05/2026

Well done if you guessed this was a horse "bean".......

For those who may not have anything to do with equine work, a bean is basically something that forms within the sheath of male horses, the sheath needs regular cleaning otherwise beans can get large in size like this one and cause discomfort.

25/05/2026

Introduction to Stages and Planes of Anaesthesia

The stages and planes are based on observable clinical signs, especially those involving muscle tone, eye position, reflexes, and respiratory patterns.

The Four Stages of Anaesthesia
The anaesthetic process is divided into four main stages:
• Stage I: Analgesia (Induction)
• Stage II: Excitement (Delirium)
• Stage III: Surgical Anaesthesia (subdivided into four planes)
• Stage IV: Overdose (Medullary Paralysis)
Let’s explore each stage and its planes in detail.

Stage I: Analgesia (Induction)
This is the time between initial administration of the anaesthetic agent and loss of consciousness.
Clinical Signs:
• The animal is conscious but becomes progressively less aware of its surroundings.
• Pain perception begins to diminish.
• The patient may appear disoriented, with normal or slightly elevated heart and respiratory rates due to anxiety or drug effects.
• Reflexes (e.g., palpebral, pedal) are present and strong.
• Pupils may be normal or slightly dilated, and the animal may voluntarily struggle or vocalize.
Important:
At this stage, animals may be frightened and more prone to sudden movement. Calm handling and minimal stimulation are important during induction.

22/05/2026

What is this?

10p piece for size comparison.

I'll give you a little clue I work in a mixed practice...........

18/05/2026

Time for our final look into blood gases.
Common Acid-Base Disturbances
• Respiratory Acidosis: Elevated PaCO₂, decreased pH. Causes include hypoventilation (e.g., airway obstruction, anaesthesia).
• Respiratory Alkalosis: Decreased PaCO₂, increased pH. Often due to hyperventilation (e.g., pain, anxiety).
• Metabolic Acidosis: Decreased HCO₃⁻, decreased pH. Causes include diarrhea, renal failure, shock.
• Metabolic Alkalosis: Increased HCO₃⁻, increased pH. Causes include vomiting (loss of gastric acid), diuretic use.

Clinical Applications in Veterinary Medicine
Blood gas analysis is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
• Respiratory distress or failure: Evaluates if hypoxia is present and whether it is due to pulmonary or extrapulmonary causes.
• Trauma or shock: Assesses tissue perfusion and acid-base disturbances.
• Anaesthesia monitoring: Monitors ventilation and oxygenation during surgery.
• Critical care: Guides therapy in patients with sepsis, metabolic diseases, or multi-organ dysfunction.

Practical Tips for Veterinary Nurses
• Always use a heparinized syringe and avoid introducing air bubbles.
• Label the sample accurately (arterial vs. venous, patient details, time collected).
• Analyse samples promptly; if delay is unavoidable, keep the sample on ice and process within 30 minutes.
• Be familiar with the operation and maintenance of the blood gas analyzer in your clinic.
• Work closely with veterinarians to interpret results in the context of the patient’s clinical presentation.

Limitations and Potential Errors
Blood gas analysis, while invaluable, has limitations:
• Pre-analytical errors: Air contamination, delayed analysis, improper storage can all skew results.
• Species variation: Normal reference ranges vary among species; always use appropriate reference values.
• Sample type: Using venous blood for oxygenation assessment can lead to misinterpretation.

11/05/2026

I've had a lot going on recently both work wise and personally, so I'm taking a break. Any questions, orders etc will be dealt with on my return next Monday.
Please let me also remind you all it is ok to take a break - that may be a coffee break, a weekend off or a bit longer. We cannot do the best by our patients if we are physically and mentally exhausted.

10/05/2026

I think the post says it all but CHERISH your achievements.
This could be passing an assignment or exam, placing you first intravenous cannula, or getting a Thank you card from an owner.
We work in an incredibly tough industry, often with lots of negative press. But remember as veterinary nurses we provide the best care we can for our patients and that is what really matters.
And yes I might be a bit of a horder of stuff and this is just a small section of the bits
I have hung onto from my vet nursing journey!!

08/05/2026

Are you even a vet nurse if you don't love an abscess?!?!?!

05/05/2026

The foreign body were Whiskey Blocks - you put them in the freezer to go cold and then pop them in your whiskey instead of ice cubes!

04/05/2026

Blood gases provide crucial insight into two main physiological systems:
• Respiratory System: Evaluated by looking at PaO₂ and PaCO₂ to determine oxygenation and ventilation status.
• Metabolic System: Assessed by examining HCO₃⁻ and base excess to evaluate metabolic contributions to acid-base balance.
Disturbances in these parameters can indicate respiratory failure, metabolic disorders, or a combination, which guides treatment strategies.

Proper sample collection is essential for accurate blood gas measurements. The most common samples are arterial and venous blood.

Arterial Blood Samples
Arterial blood is preferred for assessing oxygenation status because it reflects the oxygen content before tissue usage.
• Common Sites: Dorsal pedal artery in dogs, femoral artery in cats, coccygeal artery in large animals.
• Technique: Use a heparinized syringe to prevent clotting. Minimize air exposure, as it can alter gas values.
• Precautions: Maintain sterility, avoid excessive negative pressure, and ensure prompt analysis or appropriate storage (on ice, analysed within 30 minutes).

Venous Blood Samples
Venous samples are easier to obtain and may be used for some acid-base evaluations, although they are less reliable for oxygenation assessment.
• Interpretation: PaCO₂ and pH can still provide valuable information, but PaO₂ values are not accurate for oxygenation assessment.

Next week we will look at sampling issues and measurements.

03/05/2026

May sees Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month and it is all about the celebration of all of us on our veterinary nurse journey.
A little reintroduction to me.....I'm Shelly and I've been an RVN for a long time (I'll not go into exact dates as it makes me feel old.....put it this way the other day we worked out I'd been an RVN longer than two of my student nurses have been alive!!!) I still love being a vet nurse and enjoy the variety each day brings, especially working in a busy mixed animal practice.
My passions within the job include, neonatal nursing, all things wound care and bandaging - and outside my day job I work with Bandaging Angels - plus teaching and education of both student nurses, but also for pet owners.
I'd love to hear from you as to your passion in vet nursing, comment below.

02/05/2026

Do you know a veterinary nurse (or veterinary nursing team) who has made a lasting difference? Throughout May, for , BVNA will be inviting veterinary clients and colleagues to shine a light on the registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and student veterinary nurses (SVNs) who give so much of themselves, often behind the scenes and without recognition.

Perhaps you know a veterinary nurse who has:
✅ Sat with you when your animal was unwell or at the end of their life
✅ Offered kindness, patience, or reassurance when emotions ran high
✅ Treated your pet with dignity, gentleness, and genuine love
✅ Supported you in ways you’ll never forget, even if you never had the words at the time

Nominations are invited from:
✅ Clients, whose lives and animals have been touched by compassionate veterinary nursing care
✅ Colleagues, who witness daily the emotional labour, professionalism, and dedication that often goes unseen

Simply complete a short nomination form highlighting how a veterinary nurse has supported you, your animal, or your workplace. One winner and runner-up will be selected from both individual and team entries, winning a prize worth up to £250!

Thank you for helping BVNA to honour the veterinary nurses who care quietly, selflessly, and wholeheartedly — every single day.

Find out more about VNAM and nominate someone here; https://loom.ly/LcNzlC4

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