Virtual Veterinary Specialists

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Virtual Veterinary Specialists

Approach every case with confidence. Collaborate with specialists on your cases in your clinic.

Using the latest technologies to bring the Veterinary Specialist directly to your practice.

03/06/2026

We want every Veterinary professional who works with VVS, to leave the live guided work-up or advice call with a specialist, feeling like they have learned something, whether that be a practical skill, such as scanning the adrenals in a small cat, or clinical knowledge, such as which dog breed with hypertriglyceridemia can even have proteinuria. (Answer, Miniature Schnauzers!)

It was lovely to hear that Georgiana at our partner practice, Virtue Vets, feels more confident when approaching those trickier cases, and feels the benefit of working with our team of specialists, when discussing treatment plans and outcomes with owners. We are always here to support as needed,

For more information on how VVS can support you and your team in practice, visit www.vvs.vet or email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to provide you with more information.

01/06/2026

Here at VVS we’ve been busy behind the scenes creating new holter fitting guides, cat and dog specific, and they are now live and are being sent out to you when you order a holter from us.

Our cat model is the very handsome Sirius, owned by Laura on our referral coordination team, and I think we can all agree, Sirius was made to be a model! 🌟

As always, we welcome feedback on all the services we offer, and we’d love to know what you think of the new guides.

And, if you haven’t used our holter service before, and would like to find out more, then here is a link to, which should answer any questions you may have. https://www.vvs.vet/vvs-holter-service/ Want more information on Holters or any of our other services? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to discuss further.

29/05/2026

Our next RVN in the spotlight for VNAM 2026, is Charlie, who is an RVN at Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice Ltd. Charlie has recently undertaken several live guided cardiology work-ups alongside our specialists, after being inspired by her own dog, Macey, who was referred to VVS a few years ago.

1) Tell us a little bit about your Veterinary Nurse journey so far, how long you’ve been qualified, your interests, and current job role.

I’ve always worked with animals. I qualified from Middlesex University in 2021 and have been working at Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice since, as a mixed rota RVN. My role includes anaesthesia, consulting, inpatient care, Schedule 3 procedures, imaging, and radiography.

2) As a Veterinary Nurse, what do you enjoy most about being involved in imaging and echocardiography in your practice?

When my own dog, Macey, was diagnosed with mitral valve disease, I became more involved with Virtual Veterinary Specialists. It helped me become more knowledgeable about the disease process, measurements, and the medications required. After completing the VVS nurse cardiology CPD, I’ve been really keen to continue developing my skills in imaging. I particularly enjoy being able to communicate with clients about MVD, having experienced it myself with Macey.

3) How do you find working alongside our team of specialists and sonographers at Virtual Veterinary Specialists?

The whole team at Virtual Veterinary Specialists are really supportive, from bookings through to scanning. The specialists are patient, instructive, and approachable, and they actively encourage nurses to be part of the scanning process, which has really helped build my confidence and skills.

For more information on how VVS can support you in practice, learning new skills and expanding your knowledge, visit www.vvs.vet or email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to chat further.

26/05/2026

It’s going to be extremely hot today, and we all know what that means, heatstroke emergencies incoming! 🌡️

What is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke develops when a dog’s thermoregulatory mechanisms fail, resulting in dangerously elevated core temperatures. This triggers an abnormal and dysregulated response involving acute-phase proteins, heat shock proteins, and a cascade of inflammatory mediators. The combined effects of heat stress, proinflammatory cytokine release, increased systemic endotoxin absorption from the GI tract, and microthrombi formation due to coagulation activation leads to multi-organ dysfunction — affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, and coagulation systems.

📋 Emergency Management Essentials 📋

1. Rapid Cooling – Start Immediately! 💦
· Wet the dog with tepid (not cold) water and apply fans.
· Owners can initiate cooling at home or en route.
· Stop cooling at 39.5°C to prevent rebound vasoconstriction.

2. Shock Resuscitation 🩸
· IV crystalloid fluids for hypovolaemia or hypotension.
· Add vasopressors if hypotension persists.
· Use blood products if haemorrhage is suspected or confirmed.

3. Manage Organ Dysfunction 🔎
· Correct electrolyte imbalances, especially hypoglycaemia.
· Use GI protectants and prophylactic antibiotics to reduce risk of ulceration and bacterial translocation.
· Suspect cerebral oedema if CNS signs persist — trial mannitol.
· Monitor urine output (goal: ≥ 2 mL/kg/hr).
· Continuous ECG and BP monitoring is essential.

For more information on how we can support you in practice, please visit www.vvs.vet or email [email protected] for more information.

23/05/2026

☀️Happy Spring Bank Holiday ☀️

It’s looking set to be a scorcher, so if you are off, we hope you have a lovely long weekend.

If you are working, then we are here to support you with any urgent cases or emergencies that present to you, across our disciplines. Simply get in touch as you normally would, via WhatsApp or emailing [email protected] and we will get straight back to you.

Have a lovely weekend!

22/05/2026

Shortage of Intubeaze - what to do!

Intubeaze is the oro-mucosal spray containing lidocaine that is used to desensitise the larynx of cats before endotracheal intubation. It delivers 2-4mg per spray and is the licensed product in the UK but occasionally there are periods where it is difficult to obtain.

What should we use as the best alternative?
Preservative free lidocaine (2%) should be used and drawn up into a 1 ml syringe. Dr Nikki Grint, VVS anaesthesia specialist tends to tape a 20g catheter (without the stylet) attached to the end of the syringe. Dropping 1-2 drops onto the cat’s arytenoids will deliver (on average) a dose of 2mg lidocaine per cat.

What should we not use?
Xylocaine is also a lidocaine spray in a metered pump, but each spray contains 10mg of lidocaine which is a much higher dose compared to Intubeaze. Adverse effects have also been reported in cats after administration including laryngeal oedema and respiratory distress (Fisher (2010), Brearley (2010)).

Especially in recent times, we may face shortages of drugs and products that have become common place in our clinic's anaesthesia practice.

If you are unsure what substitutions to make, or what adaptations to undertake, Nicki, our veterinary anaesthesia specialist can help guide you through, discussing best practice and helping your clinic plan your next steps.

To use the VVS service you do not need to register or subscribe. Any vet can have access to the VVS service, and our clinical services also count as CPD!

Visit our website www.vvs.vet or email [email protected] to get in touch.

20/05/2026

We’d like to take a moment this Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month, to celebrate our very own wonderful Veterinary Nurses, who make up our referral coordination team. In order, from left to right, we have Laura, Callie, Sarah, Ellie, Steph and Suzanne, pictured together at our recent offsite get together. 🌟

If you’ve ever been in touch with VVS, whether by email, WhatsApp or phone, reached out for an emergency, made a routine appointment, sent over results or patient updates, scanned alongside us during a live guided work-up, received a report or needed support with the technology side of VVS, then you will have spoken to one of our amazing team of RC’s, and will agree, that they are all pretty fabulous!

Each of our referral coordinators bring their own unique mix of clinical experience, skills, compassion and enthusiasm to VVS, and we are lucky to have them on the team!

Lets hear it for all Veterinary Nurses, this month, and all year round! www.vvs.vet

18/05/2026

The next Veterinary Nurse we’d like to focus on for VNAM 2026, is Danielle, who is a RVN at Medivet Chorley. Danielle recently completed our RVN Introduction to Abdominal Ultrasound CPD, and has since undertaken her first live guided abdominal ultrasound alongside our imaging and medicine team.

1) Tell us a little bit about your Veterinary Nurse journey so far, how long you’ve been qualified, your interests, and current job role.

I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse and have currently been qualified 2 years. I have a keen interest in ultrasound and internal medicine nursing. My journey has been amazing so far, I work with a brilliant team and have experienced a lot in my short time as a nurse!

2) As a Veterinary Nurse, what do you enjoy most about being involved in imaging and echocardiography in your practice?

I enjoy ultrasound as it helps to create a bigger picture for your patients. Using a non-invasive method to see structures we normally wouldn’t be able to see. It also gives instant information giving the patient the best possible treatment especially in an emergency.

3) How do you find working alongside our team of specialists and sonographers at Virtual Veterinary Specialists?

It’s great to be able to work alongside VVS which helps our patients even more. I also love VVS work alongside nursing teams as well and help advance our skills and knowledge!

If you are a RVN working in practice and would like to find out more about how VVS can support you and the rest of your team, visit www.vvs.vet or email [email protected] for more information.

15/05/2026

Next up in our spotlight on Veterinary Nurses for VNAM 2026, is Rosie who is a RVN at Molesey Veterinary Centre. Rosie recently completed our RVN Introduction to Abdominal Ultrasound CPD, and has since undertaken several live guided abdominal ultrasounds alongside our imaging team.

1) Tell us a little bit about your Veterinary Nurse journey so far, how long you’ve been qualified, your interests, and current job role.

11 years qualified. Fell into emergency and night work 2 years after qualifying when living out in Australia. Loved the busy, critical environment it involved. Particularly the different species & conditions I came across compared with the UK. For example, tick paralysis and snake bites, possums and kangaroos.

I worked in referral once back in the UK, I loved the advanced nursing and challenging my skills. I’m currently working part time in a day practice as I became a mum.

2) As a Veterinary Nurse, what do you enjoy most about being involved in imaging and echocardiography in your practice?

I enjoy sitting in a dark room with just myself, the vet and the inpatient 😆 I enjoy visualising anatomy through ultrasound and identifying what looks normal and what doesn't.

3) How do you find working alongside our team of specialists and sonographers at Virtual Veterinary Specialists?

I really enjoy working with VVS as listening to the specialists analyse what is seen on ultrasound has further increased my knowledge and helps me identify what is normal and not. Actively doing the ultrasounds alongside the VVS team I have found them to be encouraging, supportive and helpful in increasing my own skills.

If you are a RVN working in practice and would like to find out more about our CPD services, visit www.vvs.vet or email [email protected] for more information.

13/05/2026

Getting feedback from the Vets and Nurses that work alongside VVS is always great, we love to hear about the things we do well, and we will always take on board any suggestions that are fed back to us.

On that note, it was lovely to hear that Dr Zoe Kelsall, wouldn’t change anything about the VVS service, and loves working with us.

If you would like to find out more about working with VVS, and how we can support you, your team and patients in practice, in real time, then visit www.vvs.vet or email [email protected] and we will be happy to explain who we are, and what we do.

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London

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+442070432283

Website

http://www.vvs.vet/

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