Two long-serving RVNs at a leading Eastbourne practice have chosen Vet Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM) to share the remarkable highlights and dramas of their 20-year careers.
Menna Field and Nicola Aston-Ranger joined Linnaeus-owned St Anne’s Veterinary Group as trainees in 2003 and both said they had seen remarkable advances in animal care and treatment over the years.
But they insist it is the amazing individual cases dealt with at St Anne’s which stand out in the memory, along with the realisation their dedication to animal care has made a real difference.
It has even brought Menna national TV and press coverage after one of her most memorable cases grabbed headlines on screen and in print.
Menna, who joined St Anne’s as a 17-year-old in August 2003, explained: “I once nursed a kitten that had breathing issues and when we X-rayed it there were bones in his tummy and a mouse’s tail in his windpipe!
“It was an absolute once-in-a-career find and the story made it into the national press. I was even interviewed on the Alan Titchmarsh Show and The One Show.
“I was also interviewed on the radio talking about freeing a cat’s head from a rat trap and also lily toxicity in cats.
“Operating on my cousin’s 120kg St Bernard was also a real challenge, while treating the local Eastbourne seals is always an absolute privilege and honour, even if they are very angry at us at the time!”
Nicola, joined in February 2003 and has proved to be the purr-fect nurse to look after all matters feline, from operations and behavioural issues through to microchipping and strays.
Nicola earned an International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) diploma in feline nursing at distinction level, is a Hills Nutritional Ambassador, a mentor to St Anne’s student vet nurses and always willing to go the extra mile.
She said: “I have always had a special interest in cat behaviour and made it my mission to reunite stray cats with their owners.
“Amazingly, one stray brought to St Anne’s had a Portuguese microchip which hadn’t been updated but we used the local press to highlight the case and were successful in reuniting the cat with its owners for a happy ending.
“It’s so rewarding being able to help animals and educate clients on their pets’ needs, especially helping clients with tricky cats.
“The team here at St Anne’s always felt like family and they’ve been so supportive as I trained and studied to add to my skills and knowledge.”
Menna agreed, adding: “Education has always been St Anne’s core value. As part of that ethos, I have completed training courses with the Vet Poisons Information Service (VPIS) which have led to me presenting at client evenings, schools, career talks and local fêtes.
“I love educating people; I love the variety of things we see and do in this job and I especially love our team.”
For more information on the St Anne’s, visit www.stannesvets.co.uk or search for St Anne’s Veterinary Group on Facebook.
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