By Rosie Meynell
In January, I undertook a 2-week placement with Vets Now, and it opened my eyes to the fast-paced and unpredictable world of the Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) side of Veterinary Medicine. Having only seen occasional emergencies during my other first-opinion placements, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. All I knew was that there would be lots and lots of emergencies and to be prepared for anything!
And you know what, this placement actually ended up being one of the most rewarding learning opportunities of my veterinary journey so far! Here’s a roundup of my placement, the lessons I learned, and some tips for students preparing for their own ECC adventures.
Preparation is key
Before starting my placement, I reached out to my friends and classmates to get an idea of the cases I might encounter in this placement. Based on their insights, I created a “bingo card” of common ECC presentations. It included cases like blocked cats, foreign objects, poisonings, GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus), road traffic accidents, renal failure, dog fight wounds, cat bite abscesses, dyspnoeic cats, and of course, labradors eating things they shouldn’t!
This fun exercise helped me identify knowledge gaps and gave me a roadmap for pre-placement reading. Understanding the basics of stabilisation, diagnostics, and treatment for these cases made me feel more confident walking through the door on day one.
The reality of ECC
From the moment I started, it was clear that ECC placements are a different beast. While emergencies occasionally crop up in first-opinion practice, here they’re the norm. Every case that came through the door demanded swift action, whether it was a dog needing immediate emesis induction or a cat in respiratory distress.
The intensity of the environment means that the vet team on shift are often juggling multiple critical patients simultaneously. Add in a roster of inpatients requiring regular monitoring and treatment, and it’s easy to see why time management and teamwork are essential skills here!
Rosie MeynellA placement with Vets Now is challenging, exhilarating, and deeply rewarding. It provides an amazing opportunity to practice your clinical skills, build confidence, and gain insight into the realities of emergency veterinary medicine
A hands-on learning experience
One of the most exciting aspects of my placement was the level of involvement I had. From helping triage patients, to administering injections, to holding dogs’ ears back during emesis induction, I was immersed in the action from the get-go. No two shifts were the same, and I quickly learned to adapt to the variety and unpredictability of cases.
Some cases required immediate intervention, while others needed further diagnostics before action could be taken. In many instances, our goal was to stabilise the patient overnight and transfer them to the daytime vets, further care.
Lessons learned
- Embrace the Chaos: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the fast pace of ECC but focusing on one task at a time can help. Remember, every action you take contributes to the bigger picture of patient care.
- Expect the Unexpected: ECC is unpredictable. You might start the night with a small caseload, only to find yourself triaging multiple emergencies within the hour. Flexibility and quick thinking are your best allies.
- Communicate Effectively: In a high-pressure environment, clear and concise communication with the team is crucial. This ensures everyone stays on the same page, even during the busiest moments.
- Self-Care Matters: Long shifts and intense cases can be physically and emotionally draining. Take time to eat, hydrate, and decompress during moments of downtime. A clear mind is vital for making good clinical decisions.
- Beware the “Q Word”: Superstition or not, uttering the word “quiet” on shift is practically inviting chaos. It’s ECC folklore that the moment someone says it, the floodgates of emergencies will open. Best to avoid tempting fate!
Tips for future ECC students
- Brush Up on the Basics: Familiarise yourself with common ECC presentations and their initial management. This foundation will make it easier to understand what’s happening in the moment.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or guidance. ECC vets are often happy to explain their thought processes and teach you – that’s what you’re there for!
- Stay Organised: Keep a notebook handy to jot down interesting cases and what you learned from them. Reflecting on these notes later can solidify your knowledge.
- Be Proactive: Offer to help wherever you can, whether it’s restraining a patient, preparing medications, or cleaning equipment. Every task is a learning opportunity.
Final thoughts
A placement with Vets Now is challenging, exhilarating, and deeply rewarding. It provides an amazing opportunity to practice your clinical skills, build confidence, and gain insight into the realities of emergency veterinary medicine. With preparation, an open mind, and a willingness to dive in, you’ll come away with experiences and lessons that will stay with you throughout your career!
About me
Growing up on a farm, I have always loved working with animals, so much so that I still can’t decide which species I want to work with! My ECC placement at Vets Now was one of my final and most memorable student placements as I have recently graduated from UPWr in Poland, and in January I will begin working in a wonderful mixed practice in the Borders.
Long term, I’d love to further develop my ECC skills and perhaps even take on some night shifts with Vets Now. Who knows what the future holds, but I’m excited to find out!