Sweat, Dirt, Beach Umbrellas and Borrowed Hats
Admin Team
There are many uses for beach Umbrellas. But really you only want to use them while you are lazing around in the sun at the beach, Right? Well that wasn't quite the case for our vet nurse Luke and vet Dr Stuart. But we are sure they wished it was.
Because cow poop, dirt, excessive heat and aggravated cows is why they actually needed one.
My most challenging day as a vet nurse.
It was the middle of summer and on this particular day I was rostered on to work with Dr Stuart.
I should have known that working with Stuart, chances were we weren't likely to stay in the clinic and I was right.
Just after lunch we were scheduled to preg test some cows. My first thought was "It's going to be hot"🥵. My second thought was "I forgot my hat". Now if you’ve seen me around, you will know that I don’t have much hair on my head, so a hat is a must!
Luckily Stuart had an extra hat in his car, and although it was a bit small for my head I was thankful for it anyway.
So, I got my overalls on and we left the clinic. We arrived about 1pm and just before we got out of the car, we checked the temperature. It read 38°C and that wasn’t even the hottest part of the day. We got out of the car and said hello to the farmer, who to our dismay was on his own. We got to work unloading everything from the car and walked it down to the yards. As we got closer to the yards we saw them - the cows.
I can’t remember if there were 300 or 400 but by the end of the day it felt like there were thousands.
We began our set up and luckily Stuart was smart enough to pack a large beach umbrella 🏖with him to keep him out of the sun. It was time to begin!
I was on the crush, the farmer was pushing the cows down the race, and Stuart was doing his thing at the business end of the cows. Now these cows were THE MOST STUBBORN cows I have ever dealt with😡. They just wouldn’t move and then they would just bolt at the crush to escape. The farmer told me for every cow I missed I owed him a beer at the pub. Unfortunately for the farmer he had to buy his own drinks because I didn’t miss a single cow.
A few cows in and Dr Harry and nurse Emily showed up to give us a hand, but they only stayed for about an hour before they had to head back to the clinic for consults. The day felt like it was getting hotter and hotter. Then about halfway through the cows we lost the farmer. He had collapsed from the heat. So we all took a well deserved break in the shed to cool down and replenish our fluids. The farmer didn’t look in a good way, so Stuart made the decision to send him home. However, because the cows were still in the yards and agitated by the heat Stuart and I decided to keep on going so the cows could go free again and cool down.
So we carried on, this time just the two of us. Stuart was on the crush and checking the cows and I was pushing them down the race. The way the yards and race were set up we could only do about five cows at a time. So I had to separate five cows out of the group into a yard and then down the race. As I mentioned earlier, these were some stubborn cows! And to make a hard job harder, some cows had already had calves, so we had to separate the calves from the cows into another yard.
The day didn’t get any cooler, our water supplies were depleting, dehydration and frustration were setting in and the cows were only get more and more stubborn and agitated. There were a few choice words yelled at the cows, especially from Stuart🤬. After what felt like 6 years 125 days 19 hours and 24 minutes we finally got the last cow into the crush and ... DONE!
We let the cows out of the yard, packed everything back into the car and literally collapsed into the car. We were sore, covered in cow manure, dirt, sweat and super dehydrated but the clock showed it was almost 6pm (which means home time... Hooray 🥳).
That was definitely the most physically challenging day I have had at Yass Valley Veterinary but I enjoyed every minute of it.
Is your dog or cat easily spooked? Learn how to recognise signs of anxiety in pets, common triggers, and ways to help your pet feel calmer and more secure.
Knowing what to do when your pet is injured or becomes unwell can make a stressful situation feel a little more manageable. While first aid is never a substitute for veterinary treatment, knowing the basics can help you keep your pet safe while you arrange professional care. From bleeding and injuries to seizures, heat stress and toxin ingestion, understanding what to do and what not to do can be invaluable in an emergency. At Yass Valley Veterinary , we’re here to help you understand when your pet needs immediate veterinary attention and how you can provide safe first aid while getting them to the clinic. What to Do in a Pet Emergency The first priority in any emergency is to stay calm and assess the situation. If it is safe to do so: Move slowly and calmly. Keep the environment quiet. Minimise handling. Use a towel or blanket as a barrier if you need to protect yourself. Keep your hands away from your pet’s mouth. Transport your pet to a veterinary clinic as soon as it is safe to do so. Remember: if you’re unsure, treat the situation as an emergency and contact your vet. Check Your Pet’s ABCs In a serious emergency, start by checking your pet’s: Airway: Can air get in? Breathing: Is air moving? Circulation: Is blood flowing? If your pet is having difficulty breathing, has collapsed, is unresponsive, or has pale, white or blue gums, they need immediate veterinary attention. What to Do for Common Pet Emergencies Different emergencies require different first aid responses. Here are some serious situations to be aware of. Wounds and Bleeding If your pet is bleeding: Stay calm. Gently clean the wound with water or saline if appropriate. Apply firm, constant pressure using a clean towel, pad or bandage. Secure the dressing if possible. Seek veterinary treatment. Avoid repeatedly removing the bandage to check the wound, as this can disturb the clot and cause bleeding to start again. If bleeding is severe or uncontrollable, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Hit by a Car or Other Trauma A pet involved in a road accident or other significant trauma should be assessed by a veterinarian, even if they appear to be okay. First, make sure the scene is safe. Check their ABCs and, if there is bleeding, apply firm, constant pressure. If you need to move your pet, use a blanket or flat surface to support their whole body. Keep their body as straight as possible and support the spine. Do not twist or bend their body, and don’t assume they are okay simply because they appear calm or are able to walk. Transport them to a veterinary clinic immediately. Seizures If your pet has a seizure: Move nearby objects away to help prevent injury. Keep the environment quiet. Time the seizure if you can. Keep your hands away from their mouth. Do not try to restrain them. Once the seizure has stopped, keep your pet calm and arrange veterinary assessment. An active seizure is considered an emergency and requires immediate veterinary attention. Heat Stress and Heatstroke Heat stress can become life-threatening quickly, particularly in hot weather. If your pet is showing signs of heat stress: Move them into shade or indoors. Turn on fans or air conditioning. Get them off hot surfaces such as bitumen or sand. Wet their body with cool water. Keep them calm and limit stimulation. Transport them to a veterinarian. Never leave a pet in a hot car, even for a short period, and don’t wait to see whether they improve before seeking veterinary care. Suspected Toxin Ingestion If you think your pet has eaten or been exposed to something potentially toxic, act quickly. If it is safe: Remove any remaining toxin from their mouth. Identify what they have been exposed to. Bring the packaging or take a photo of the product if possible. Estimate how much they may have consumed (even an approximate amount can be useful). Wear gloves if necessary. Transport your pet to a veterinary clinic immediately. Do not make your pet vomit at home unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinary professional, and don’t wait for symptoms to appear. When Should I Take My Pet to the Vet? Knowing how urgent your pet’s condition is can be difficult. As a general rule, if you’re unsure, it’s safest to seek veterinary advice. Go to the Vet Immediately Seek emergency veterinary care if your pet has: Difficulty breathing Collapsed or is unresponsive An active seizure Pale, white or blue gums Severe or uncontrollable bleeding Been hit by a car or experienced significant trauma Rapid abdominal swelling or suspected bloat A suspected snake bite or toxin ingestion Signs of paralysis or suspected paralysis tick Extreme heat or cold exposure Seek Veterinary Treatment as Soon as Possible Your pet should also be assessed promptly for: Weakness or altered consciousness Pale gums Severe pain Toxin ingestion Difficulty or inability to urinate Severe dehydration Generalised weakness Persistent vomiting Wounds Neurological signs Even seemingly minor symptoms can sometimes indicate an underlying problem, so if you’re concerned about your pet, contact your veterinary team. How to Safely Handle an Injured or Frightened Pet An injured or frightened pet may behave differently from normal, even if they are usually friendly. Pain and fear can cause pets to bite or scratch. Approach slowly and calmly and speak softly to help reassure them. Avoid direct face-to-face contact and watch for warning signs such as growling, a stiff body or wide eyes. A towel, blanket or jacket can be used as a barrier to help protect you while handling your pet. Keep your face away from their head and avoid putting your hands near their mouth. If it is safe to do so, temporary restraint may help. For dogs, a towel or lead can be used as a makeshift muzzle, but never muzzle a dog if their breathing is compromised or they are vomiting . Cats can be gently wrapped in a towel to help minimise movement. Only move your pet when necessary, such as if they are in immediate danger. If you do need to move them, support their whole body, particularly the spine and limbs. What to Include in a Pet First Aid Kit Having a pet first aid kit at home and when travelling can help you respond quickly to minor injuries while arranging veterinary care. Consider including: Towels Two leashes Pillowcase Sanitary pad or nappy Bandage or pet first aid kit Scissors Bottle of water Plastic bags Gloves Notepad and pen Cling wrap (optional) Keep your first aid supplies somewhere easy to access so you aren’t searching for them during an emergency. Remember: First Aid Isn’t a Substitute for Veterinary Care Pet first aid is about keeping your pet safe and providing basic support while you arrange professional treatment. It shouldn’t delay a veterinary assessment when your pet is seriously injured or unwell. In an emergency, fast is good, but calm is better . Simple actions can make a difference, but getting your pet to a veterinarian as soon as it is safe to do so is the priority. FAQs: Pet First Aid 1. What should I do if my pet is injured? Stay calm, minimise handling and assess their airway, breathing and circulation. If there is bleeding, apply firm, constant pressure with a clean towel, pad or bandage. Seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible. 2. Should I make my dog vomit if they eat something toxic? No. Do not make your pet vomit at home unless specifically instructed by a veterinary professional. Identify what they have ingested, bring the packaging or a photo if possible, and seek veterinary care immediately. 3. What should I do if my pet has a seizure? Move objects away to prevent injury, keep the environment quiet and time the seizure if possible. Don’t restrain your pet or put your hands near their mouth. An active seizure requires immediate veterinary attention. 4. What are the signs of a pet emergency? Difficulty breathing, collapse, an active seizure, pale or blue gums, severe bleeding, significant trauma, rapid abdominal swelling, suspected toxin ingestion, suspected snake bite, paralysis and extreme temperatures are all reasons to seek immediate veterinary care. 5. Should I have a pet first aid kit at home? Yes. Keeping basic supplies such as towels, bandages, gloves, scissors and water readily available can help you respond to minor injuries and emergencies while arranging veterinary care. Be Prepared for a Pet Emergency You can’t always prevent an accident or illness, but being prepared can help you respond calmly when your pet needs you most. Save your veterinary clinic’s phone number, keep a pet first aid kit accessible and familiarise yourself with the signs that require immediate veterinary attention. If you’re ever unsure about your pet’s health or an injury, contact Yass Valley Veterinary for advice or seek veterinary care. 📞 Call us today to speak with our veterinary team about your pet’s health and wellbeing.
The pet wellness program designed to keep your pets happy and healthy all year round. At Yass Valley Veterinary, we’re excited to introduce Supertails, the pet wellness program designed to make it easier (and more affordable) to keep your pets happy and healthy all year round. What is Supertails? Supertails is a simple monthly membership that gives you unlimited vet consults plus discounts on everyday services and preventative care. It’s all about providing peace of mind, affordability, and the very best care for your furry family members. Why Join Supertails? Unlimited vet consults – no extra cost for those “just in case” visits. Exclusive member discounts on routine services like dental, desexing, and vaccinations. Peace of mind knowing you can prioritise your pet’s health without worrying about the bill. Better preventative care with regular visits that catch issues early. Supertails makes it easier to say “yes” to the care your pet deserves.
