It’s never a dull day in veterinary practice. From anaesthetics and nurse clinics to hospital patients and surgery prep, there’s always something going on behind the scenes. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, something happens to remind you that life as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) is full of surprises.
After more than 10 years in practice, here are some of the weird, wonderful, and heart-warming stories that have stuck with me.
My First C-Section
C-sections in the veterinary world are often emergencies, usually happening in the middle of the night. So when an overdue Labrador arrived in the middle of the day, the whole team buzzed with excitement. As a student nurse at the time, I couldn’t wait to learn and get stuck in. The surgery went smoothly and eight healthy golden pups were delivered safely. Mum and babies went home the very same day—a nerve-wracking but unforgettable first C-section with a very happy ending.
The Mystery Vomit
Dogs love eating things they shouldn’t—especially around Christmas and Easter when mince pies and chocolate are within reach. But one morning brought us a particularly memorable case.
An owner phoned in after their dog had eaten a tampon on a walk (gross, but not unusual). When the dog was brought in, we gave an injection to induce vomiting. I was on bucket duty—ears held back and all. Out came the tampon… along with a handful of acorns and, to everyone’s shock, a whole mouse swallowed intact! Veterinary nursing is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
A Hidden Surprise
While anaesthetising a cat for routine castration, the vet noticed unusual mucus at the back of the throat. On closer inspection, she found something unexpected—a needle and thread lodged deep down. With careful precision, it was removed before any damage was done. The cat had shown no symptoms, so without that surgery the outcome could have been much worse. Sometimes luck is very much on our side.
Dolly the Lurcher & a Reunion to Remember
One night shift was interrupted by a knock on the door from a police officer with two rescued lurchers. Both were thin but otherwise healthy, so I settled them in with warm beds and food—never have I seen two dogs eat so quickly!
The male was microchipped, and when we traced the owner, we discovered he had been stolen two years earlier in Kent—over 50 miles away from where I was working in Windsor. The emotional reunion that followed left the whole team in tears.
And the female? She wasn’t chipped, but she had clearly captured the heart of the police officer. He adopted her, named her Dolly, and gave her the forever home she deserved.
Soft Spots
Every nurse has patients who make a lasting impression. For me, two stand out:
Rhuad the Red Setter – She came in with pancreatitis and was very shy. Over her stay, we built such a bond that by the end, I was the only one she would eat for or wag her tail at. Watching her go home happy and healthy was pure joy.
Kenny the Maine Coon – Kenny had FIP, a condition once considered untreatable. Thanks to a new drug, he stayed in hospital for his treatment and quickly became a staff favourite. Kenny acted more like a dog than a cat, loved attention, and even had a passion for TV—especially fish videos and woodland scenes. We were thrilled when Kenny recovered, and his owner agreed that “TV time” would remain a daily ritual at home!
The Life of an RVN
No two days are ever the same in veterinary nursing. From the messy, funny, and bizarre, to the emotional, life-changing, and heart-warming, these experiences shape who we are as professionals and animal lovers.
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