Each day at Beehive Vets starts with teamwork, organisation, and care. Depending on the rota, the morning begins at 8:00am or 8:30am, and nurses may be scheduled for a theatre/prep shift or a consultation shift. Every role contributes to the smooth running of the practice and the high standard of care provided to our patients.
Morning Routine
The day begins with opening up the practice, turning on the lights and preparing the kennels and cattery with clean bedding for the day’s inpatients.
If working on a theatre or prep shift, the first task is to ensure both areas are clean, organised, and ready for use.
- The theatre is damp-dusted to maintain sterility.
- The operating table is set with a heat pad and padded mattress to keep patients warm and comfortable.
- Surgical gowns, gloves, and instrument kits are arranged and checked.
- Anaesthetic machines, gases, and oxygen supplies are tested to confirm everything is working correctly.
In the prep area, heat mats and soft bedding are placed on the tables, intravenous catheters and fluids are prepared, and premedication and anaesthetic doses are calculated and recorded. Endotracheal tubes are also selected to suit the size and breed of the patient.
Patient Admissions
As patients arrive, they are checked over by the veterinary surgeon. Paperwork and consent forms are reviewed to confirm the correct procedure, patient identity, and any additional requests such as nail clipping or ear checks. If required, pre-anaesthetic blood tests are performed and results are reviewed before proceeding.
Once all checks are complete, the patient receives their premedication (sedation). An intravenous catheter is then placed once the pet starts to feel sleepy and more relaxed. The anaesthetic agent is then given, and the patient is placed under general anaesthesia, with the endotracheal tube is inserted to secure the airway. The patient is provided with medical oxygen and an anaesthetic gas to maintain the anaesthesia.
The surgical site is clipped and disinfected before the surgeon, wearing sterile gown and gloves, begins the operation. Procedures are carried out in order of cleanliness to minimise infection risk. Alongside surgery, patients may also be admitted for radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, or blood sampling.
Recovery and Midday Routine
Following surgery, each patient is monitored carefully during recovery. Once awake and stable, owners are contacted to provide an update and confirm collection arrangements. Patients are offered a small meal once fully recovered, as they will have been fasted before anaesthesia.
After lunch, the team cleans and restocks all areas. The theatre and prep rooms are disinfected, surgical kits are washed, dried, repacked, and sterilised, and anaesthetic gases are refilled ready for the next day. Once sterilisation is complete, kits are stored away and the oxygen supply is switched off.
Patients continue to be checked regularly during the afternoon. Intravenous catheters are removed and surgical sites inspected before discharge. When owners arrive, the consulting nurse provides post-operative care instructions and answers any questions.
Consultation Nurse Shift
On consultation shifts, the morning begins with admitting patients for the day’s procedures and performing initial health checks, listening to heart and lungs, checking gum colour and temperature, and carrying out any surgery-specific assessments.
Once admissions are complete, the consulting nurse continues with a range of appointments, including:
- Microchipping
- Vaccinations
- Anal gland expressions
- Nail clipping and other nurse-led consultations
The nurse is also responsible for stock control, ordering medications and consumables, and dispensing prescriptions for clients. They may assist on reception as needed, answering calls and supporting client enquiries.
End of Day
As the day draws to a close, the team ensures the practice is left clean and prepared for the following day.
- Waste bags are taken to the external refuse area.
- Floors throughout the building are swept and mopped with disinfectant.
- The kennels, cattery, and X-ray suite receive a final clean and inspection.
Once everything is complete, the practice is closed for the night, ready to welcome the next day’s patients and continue providing the best possible care.
Want to see what we’re about? At Beehive Vets, we’re an independent, family-run vets in Leeds who pride ourselves on providing expert care, with a personal touch.
Get in touch to find out more.
