Plus-Hex CLINICAL
However , it is also one of the six main ‘ greenhouse gases ’ that are contributing to global warming . Nitrous oxide has the potential to be far more damaging to the environment than CO 2 and can stay in the Earth ' s atmosphere for more than 100 years [ 10 ] .
Linnaeus has now eliminated the use of nitrous oxide across its practices . If it is still used in your practice , it may be worth considering alternative analgesic methods , such as perioperative injectable analgesia , to reduce the practice ' s impact on the environment .
Conclusions
The prospect of making a veterinary practice more eco-friendly can seem daunting at first . But if you start with small changes and gain a few ‘ wins ’ you will soon be ready for larger , more prominent and significant adaptations to your practice and procedures .
If your practice is part of the Linnaeus group , I would encourage you to reach out to Ellie West , who can help you begin your eco journey . Otherwise , I would recommend speaking with your practice manager about contacting an organisation such as iiE or simply setting your own sustainability goals for the future .
It is important that the veterinary sector recognises its role in helping to reduce , reuse and recycle products , wherever possible . Any changes we make as individuals and as practices will add up to a significant difference .
REFERENCES
1 Hancock L . Everything you need to know about coral bleaching – and how we can stop it . WWF . 2002 . Available from : https :// www . worldwildlife . org / pages / everything-you-need-to-know-aboutcoral-bleaching-and-how-we-can-stop-it [ Accessed 4 November 2022 ].
2 Investors in the Environment . Available from : https :// www . iie . uk . com / [ Accessed 10 November 2022 ].
3 Recycling Guide . Printer Cartridges . Available from : https :// www . recycling-guide . org . uk / materials / printer-cartridges . html [ Accessed 20 November 2022 ].
4 Major C . Why should veterinary teams care about plastic waste ? BVA . 2022 . Available from : https :// www . bva . co . uk / news-and-blog / blog-article / why-should-veterinary-teams-care-about-plasticwaste / [ Accessed 10 November 2022 ].
5 Environmental Protection Act 1990 . Available from : https :// www . legislation . gov . uk / ukpga / 1990 / 43 / section / 34 [ Accessed 2 January 2023 ].
6 Monsey L , Devaney J . Maintaining animal accommodation . In : Cooper B , Mullineaux E , Turner L . ( eds .) BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing . 5th ed . Gloucester : British Small Animal Veterinary Association ; 2011 . p . 277 – 304 .
7 Murrell J , Ford-Fennah V . Anaesthesia and analgesia . In : Cooper B , Mullineaux E , Turner L . ( eds .) BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing . 5th ed . Gloucester : British Small Animal Veterinary Association ; 2011 . p . 663 – 733 .
8 Zeltzman P . Why intratesticular blocks are simple , low cost and effective : all you need is four items . Veterinary Practice News . 2017 . Available from : https :// www . veterinarypracticenews . com / why-intratesticular-blocks-are-simple-low-cost-and-effective / [ Accessed 15 December 2022 ].
9 Hoy C , Seymour C . Nitrous oxide – does it still have a place in veterinary anaesthesia ? BVNA . 2022 . Available from : https :// bvna . org . uk / blog / nitrous-oxide-does-it-still-have-a-placein-veterinary-anaesthesia-by-carol-hoy-and-chris-seymour / [ Accessed 15 December 2022 ].
10 Westgate J . Linnaeus eliminates use of nitrous oxide . Vet Times . 2021 . Available at : https :// www . vettimes . co . uk / news / linnaeuseliminates-use-of-nitrous-oxide / [ Accessed 15 December 2022 ].
Further resources
Vetspeed Ltd Available at : https :// www . vetspeed-uk . com
IMS Euro Ltd Available at : https :// www . imseuro . co . uk
Vet Direct Available at : https :// www . vet-direct . com
Need to make notes ?
We ' ve set aside a couple of pages at the end of the journal for your professional development notes .
Volume 38 ( 3 ) • June 2023
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