Friday, 28 September 2012
Early morning....
What?! No one else is up a 2 am, outside, filling a plastic booty with handfuls of grass because their patient is getting "3/4 of a booty" every 6 hours???!?!?! #vetstudentproblems
Saturday, 11 August 2012
August Heat
Finally, finally, finally.... some rain. Our poor Ontario farmers really need it. The price of hay is going up, and the quality is going down since this crazy draught of a summer started. Also worried about corn and soy... Consumers will be the last to feel the economic burden of feed prices sky rocketing. Another point to the vegetarians. Ha.
Ok, so other than being dog sick right now. Not much on the exciting news front.
My colleague and I are finished with the 2016's Orientation Handbook. It was nice to clear some unimportant info out of there. Turned it from a 50 page document with changing formats to a set of "chapters" that can all be accessed seperately so you can print out only what is important to you (30 pages in all). It is formatted beautifully and illustrated by us. It looks amazing, if I do say so myself! Our next project is a map of the OVC. Older classes mentioned that they have seen some, but no one can direct us to a person who knows. Alas, we have to start from cratch, drawing up the floor plan ourselves. Then we will artsy-fartsy it up with some more illustrations. Because we can! Ha!
His link as promised: http://vetcartoonist.blogspot.ca/
Please visit and give love :)
I am prepping (at least mentally) to take on next years courses. This year is going to get a lot tougher, but the trade off is that it is much more practical.
VETM*3220 - Art of Veterinary Medicine II
Continuation of AVM I - communication and general knowledge of the profession
VETM*3410 - Health Management II
Continuation of HM I - more herd health <3
VETM*3440 - Clinical Medicine II
Continuation of CM I - we will continue with how to take proper histories, do physical exams, and perform basic procedures, with some more emphasis on abnormal findings
VETM*3450 - Principles of Disease in Veterinary Medicine
Our 2.75 credit course X_X - covers basic pathology, immune responses to trauma and disease, bacteria, viruses, parasites, other infectious agents. you get the picture. it is a lot of content and will include a lot of weekly or biweekly quizes.... and lots of labs... and a huge lab exam as well as written. So it will be similar in structure to anatomy with more content.
VETM*3460 - Theriogenology
A course just on sex! Hhaha. Also gestation, parturition, and life up to weaning.
VETM*3470 - Anaesthesiology and Pharmacology
A course just on drugs! :)
VETM*3510 - Principles of Surgery
Our first glimpse into the large world of surgery. pretty general stuff to start. i will give you lots of details once we get into this later.
Ok one quick patient story:
We had a client call us saying that her newly purchased miniature pony just foaled.
"Okkkkkkkay....?" Not really a concern. Did it struggle? Is the foal alive? Premature? What?
Well just gave birth. After a 5 hour hot trailer ride. And no one knew she was preggos.
"Oh shit."
Needless to say it was premature and a bit dummy. Was on foal watch for a bit, fluids, oxygen, nasogastric tube. Went in for an umbilical hernia surgery, recovered well. After a week of intensive care she got to go home relatively healthy.
BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MINIATURE PONY FOAL??????!?!?!?!?!?!
SO EFFING CUTE.
Obviously I cannot show you pictures but it looked similar to this:
We also had some jerseys in this week. I am in love.
Until next time.
Ok, so other than being dog sick right now. Not much on the exciting news front.
My colleague and I are finished with the 2016's Orientation Handbook. It was nice to clear some unimportant info out of there. Turned it from a 50 page document with changing formats to a set of "chapters" that can all be accessed seperately so you can print out only what is important to you (30 pages in all). It is formatted beautifully and illustrated by us. It looks amazing, if I do say so myself! Our next project is a map of the OVC. Older classes mentioned that they have seen some, but no one can direct us to a person who knows. Alas, we have to start from cratch, drawing up the floor plan ourselves. Then we will artsy-fartsy it up with some more illustrations. Because we can! Ha!
His link as promised: http://vetcartoonist.blogspot.ca/
Please visit and give love :)
 |
| Illustrations © 2012 Vishal Murthy |
VETM*3220 - Art of Veterinary Medicine II
Continuation of AVM I - communication and general knowledge of the profession
VETM*3410 - Health Management II
Continuation of HM I - more herd health <3
VETM*3440 - Clinical Medicine II
Continuation of CM I - we will continue with how to take proper histories, do physical exams, and perform basic procedures, with some more emphasis on abnormal findings
VETM*3450 - Principles of Disease in Veterinary Medicine
Our 2.75 credit course X_X - covers basic pathology, immune responses to trauma and disease, bacteria, viruses, parasites, other infectious agents. you get the picture. it is a lot of content and will include a lot of weekly or biweekly quizes.... and lots of labs... and a huge lab exam as well as written. So it will be similar in structure to anatomy with more content.
VETM*3460 - Theriogenology
A course just on sex! Hhaha. Also gestation, parturition, and life up to weaning.
VETM*3470 - Anaesthesiology and Pharmacology
A course just on drugs! :)
VETM*3510 - Principles of Surgery
Our first glimpse into the large world of surgery. pretty general stuff to start. i will give you lots of details once we get into this later.
Ok one quick patient story:
We had a client call us saying that her newly purchased miniature pony just foaled.
"Okkkkkkkay....?" Not really a concern. Did it struggle? Is the foal alive? Premature? What?
Well just gave birth. After a 5 hour hot trailer ride. And no one knew she was preggos.
"Oh shit."
Needless to say it was premature and a bit dummy. Was on foal watch for a bit, fluids, oxygen, nasogastric tube. Went in for an umbilical hernia surgery, recovered well. After a week of intensive care she got to go home relatively healthy.
BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MINIATURE PONY FOAL??????!?!?!?!?!?!
SO EFFING CUTE.
Obviously I cannot show you pictures but it looked similar to this:
 |
| Squeee worthy for sure. |
Until next time.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Alpacas, alpacas, alpacas
I have honestly touched an Alpaca once before this summer. Now they are everywhere. We have had four alpacas in in the last month, and a llama. Camelid city! My knowledge is growing but I still have much to learn.Apparently the OVC doesn't get a lot of camelids and all the clinicians/technicians have been in shock about our 5 in July. They are gaining popularity but as hobby farmer stock, there is not a ton of money in the industry, so not many people are willing to pour cash into emergency vet fees.
Alpaca 101:
- Alpacas are a different species, but highly similar to Llamas.
- Mostly fibre industry
- Three chambered stomachs; high fibre low fat diets
- Will spit, but most are very well handled and are relatively comfortable with humans around
- Have dental pads just like cows and sheep; also split lips like sheep
- Have a cartilaginous fighting pad to protect their necks/carotid/jugular
- Veins have many valves (that make catheter placement a long and tedious process!)
- Come in two breeds; Huacaya and Suri
- Suri's are more rare (something about the fibre texture being simple dominant trait.... the literature is vague and incomplete on this subject), their fibre is less curly, more wavy, and much finer, worth way more (crias can go for 5 grand!!!)
- Babys are called "Cria"s, but there is no real industry wide name for the males and females (cloesest for males is "Herd Sire") nor castrates
- They have a more "flat footed" confirmation where phalanges 2 and 3 are level with the ground and 1 is 45 degree angle to the metacarpophalangeal joint (in horses known as Fetlock), also they have two toes!
And that is about it. End knowledge.
We have seen them in for broken femoral head, heat stress, interphalangeal luxation, acute abdomen, and neurological weakness of the legs. All seem to be related to heat, dehydration, anorexia, and trauma from injury. So important tip: offer lots of shade and water, and don't let them fight each other. (Easier said then done, eh?)
Also a cool thing today, had the farrier in to look at a foundering horse (all four feet). Founder = Laminitis FYI. Applied these wooden shoes with plasticine and rubber soles. No nails or screws, just casted then on after a good clean out. They are called EVA Wooden shoes (see www.equicast.us for more info). They reduce shock and wear and allow the coffin bone to stop migrating during the healing process. I had never seen them before. It really made me think about how important it is to have a good farrier-client-veterinarian bond because all the vets just watched as this guy did his thing. The horse is on his way to being a fat happy cart horse once again. Although the "fat" part is probably what started the laminitis in the first place. I definitely will invest in a good farrier for my clinic in the future, or even in a technician with farrier training. That would be awesome, and well worth the salary!
Alpaca 101:
- Alpacas are a different species, but highly similar to Llamas.
- Mostly fibre industry
- Three chambered stomachs; high fibre low fat diets
- Will spit, but most are very well handled and are relatively comfortable with humans around
- Have dental pads just like cows and sheep; also split lips like sheep
- Have a cartilaginous fighting pad to protect their necks/carotid/jugular
- Veins have many valves (that make catheter placement a long and tedious process!)
- Come in two breeds; Huacaya and Suri
- Suri's are more rare (something about the fibre texture being simple dominant trait.... the literature is vague and incomplete on this subject), their fibre is less curly, more wavy, and much finer, worth way more (crias can go for 5 grand!!!)
- Babys are called "Cria"s, but there is no real industry wide name for the males and females (cloesest for males is "Herd Sire") nor castrates
- They have a more "flat footed" confirmation where phalanges 2 and 3 are level with the ground and 1 is 45 degree angle to the metacarpophalangeal joint (in horses known as Fetlock), also they have two toes!
And that is about it. End knowledge.
We have seen them in for broken femoral head, heat stress, interphalangeal luxation, acute abdomen, and neurological weakness of the legs. All seem to be related to heat, dehydration, anorexia, and trauma from injury. So important tip: offer lots of shade and water, and don't let them fight each other. (Easier said then done, eh?)
 |
| All Legs and Neck! |
Also a cool thing today, had the farrier in to look at a foundering horse (all four feet). Founder = Laminitis FYI. Applied these wooden shoes with plasticine and rubber soles. No nails or screws, just casted then on after a good clean out. They are called EVA Wooden shoes (see www.equicast.us for more info). They reduce shock and wear and allow the coffin bone to stop migrating during the healing process. I had never seen them before. It really made me think about how important it is to have a good farrier-client-veterinarian bond because all the vets just watched as this guy did his thing. The horse is on his way to being a fat happy cart horse once again. Although the "fat" part is probably what started the laminitis in the first place. I definitely will invest in a good farrier for my clinic in the future, or even in a technician with farrier training. That would be awesome, and well worth the salary!
 |
| Casted to the hoof! |
Friday, 6 July 2012
MCAT
So in Canada the veterinary schools require the completion of the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). American veterinary schools require the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). These both are standardized tests for getting into graduate schools. I think it is silly, but they won't drop it so you should just suck it up, pay the money, study hard, and kick this stupid things bum. Also, Internationals just have to take one or the other; the OVC will look at either if you are an international student!!
MCAT - https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/
GRE - http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register
MCAT covers:
Multiple Choice (1-45) - 26
Biological Sciences (Bio and Organic Chem)
Physical Sciences (Chem and Physics)
There are seven 'scenarios' for each. You have to answer 5-7 questions about the scenario. And one or two of the 'scenarios' are just science questions that are free of a scenario. It is frustrating because 50% is actual knowledge of science. The other 50% is your ability to read and understand the question. They try to trick you. The material is pretty much first and second year 'science' stuff. Physics is exactly the same as my intro to physics courses in first year. This is why they suggest (and so do I) you try the MCAT first AFTER second year but BEFORE third year (summer seems to be perfect!!!).
Verbal Reasoning
There are 5-7 writing samples that you have to read and answer questions about. Again, you don't have to have ANY background in the subject material to get the answers right. In fact, you do better on the random architecture or political ones than the science and nature ones... The subject material can literally be anything. Newspaper articles, sections from novels, scenes from a play/movie, journal articles... anything. This was a section I would have failed miserably at if not for my MCAT prep course. It takes a very different part of your brain and you must go against common sense.
Written (L-T) - My score = Q
Writing Sample
You are given a statement like "The sky is blue" and you must write a sample including why this is true/right with an example, and why it is false/wrong with an example, then summarize. This section is retarded. I am sorry I have no advice for it, I am not really sure how they mark it and I was SHOCKED to get a Q.
Here is that big kicker, it is not a raw score. So if you get 40/45 questions right, you do not get an 88%. It is bell curved in some way. You get compared to the previous year's section. Totally silly.
Ok so prep course or no? I needed it because I am a poor self-motivator. I needed to have someone telling me what sections to read when. Also, their books had ALL of the info I needed in one place, I did not have to sort through my old notes and worry that I missed a section. Another thing was the access to TONS of practice tests which helped you gauge how well you were doing and gave me a sense as to what the test would feel like day of. It is a 5 hour test so getting used to timing was nice. Another helpful part was that my teachers would mark and walk me through the verbal and writing sections (which I had NO IDEA what I was doing for). I honestly would not have figured that out on my own. Now, can you do well on the test without a prep course, yes. No prep at all, no. So look into AT LEAST getting a prep book and working through the stuff they offer on their website!
I took the whole summer to study, I did not work, and I took the Princeton Review 16 hour/week course. We did MTWTh 4pm - 8pm. I signed up early and only had to pay $1500 for it (costs $1700). So I financially invested in myself. But that was my decision. I planned on only doing this once so I was throwing myself into it. The test it self costs $300 and I suggest signing up way in advanced. The med students take the MCAT WAY more seriously because they need a 30-S to even apply to med school, so us vetties are not nearly as intense. My class's average was about 22-O. So you do not need an amazing test score.... you just need to try a bit and score average. But the meddies will take up all the good seatings. BUT they have to have their scores ready for OCT 1st (ours is JAN 1st) so they won't write any later than August. I suggest mid-August.
It is stupid and you will hate your life, but you all have to do it so just give'er!
Prep Courses:
Princeton Review - http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/mcat-test-preparation.aspx
Kaplan - http://www.kaptest.com/MCAT/Home/index.html
Prep 101 - http://www.prep101.com/mcat/
Oxford Seminars - http://www.oxfordseminars.ca/MCAT/mcat_about.php
Test Day:
- ARRIVE EARLY!!!!
- It is all online so you don't need any paper or pens (they provide you with scribble paper)
- You need government ID and I think your AAMC registration info
- They will take your finger print
- Wear comfy clothes that are weather conscious with layers (you will have to show all of your pockets to get in and out of the room)
- Stay hydrated, have a good breakfast, and GET SLEEP BEFORE!!!
- Have someone drive you if you can, you will feel like shit after
Then when it is all done, drink heavily! :)
MCAT - https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/
GRE - http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register
MCAT covers:
Multiple Choice (1-45) - 26
Biological Sciences (Bio and Organic Chem)
Physical Sciences (Chem and Physics)
There are seven 'scenarios' for each. You have to answer 5-7 questions about the scenario. And one or two of the 'scenarios' are just science questions that are free of a scenario. It is frustrating because 50% is actual knowledge of science. The other 50% is your ability to read and understand the question. They try to trick you. The material is pretty much first and second year 'science' stuff. Physics is exactly the same as my intro to physics courses in first year. This is why they suggest (and so do I) you try the MCAT first AFTER second year but BEFORE third year (summer seems to be perfect!!!).
Verbal Reasoning
There are 5-7 writing samples that you have to read and answer questions about. Again, you don't have to have ANY background in the subject material to get the answers right. In fact, you do better on the random architecture or political ones than the science and nature ones... The subject material can literally be anything. Newspaper articles, sections from novels, scenes from a play/movie, journal articles... anything. This was a section I would have failed miserably at if not for my MCAT prep course. It takes a very different part of your brain and you must go against common sense.
Written (L-T) - My score = Q
Writing Sample
You are given a statement like "The sky is blue" and you must write a sample including why this is true/right with an example, and why it is false/wrong with an example, then summarize. This section is retarded. I am sorry I have no advice for it, I am not really sure how they mark it and I was SHOCKED to get a Q.
Here is that big kicker, it is not a raw score. So if you get 40/45 questions right, you do not get an 88%. It is bell curved in some way. You get compared to the previous year's section. Totally silly.
Ok so prep course or no? I needed it because I am a poor self-motivator. I needed to have someone telling me what sections to read when. Also, their books had ALL of the info I needed in one place, I did not have to sort through my old notes and worry that I missed a section. Another thing was the access to TONS of practice tests which helped you gauge how well you were doing and gave me a sense as to what the test would feel like day of. It is a 5 hour test so getting used to timing was nice. Another helpful part was that my teachers would mark and walk me through the verbal and writing sections (which I had NO IDEA what I was doing for). I honestly would not have figured that out on my own. Now, can you do well on the test without a prep course, yes. No prep at all, no. So look into AT LEAST getting a prep book and working through the stuff they offer on their website!
I took the whole summer to study, I did not work, and I took the Princeton Review 16 hour/week course. We did MTWTh 4pm - 8pm. I signed up early and only had to pay $1500 for it (costs $1700). So I financially invested in myself. But that was my decision. I planned on only doing this once so I was throwing myself into it. The test it self costs $300 and I suggest signing up way in advanced. The med students take the MCAT WAY more seriously because they need a 30-S to even apply to med school, so us vetties are not nearly as intense. My class's average was about 22-O. So you do not need an amazing test score.... you just need to try a bit and score average. But the meddies will take up all the good seatings. BUT they have to have their scores ready for OCT 1st (ours is JAN 1st) so they won't write any later than August. I suggest mid-August.
It is stupid and you will hate your life, but you all have to do it so just give'er!
Prep Courses:
Princeton Review - http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/mcat-test-preparation.aspx
Kaplan - http://www.kaptest.com/MCAT/Home/index.html
Prep 101 - http://www.prep101.com/mcat/
Oxford Seminars - http://www.oxfordseminars.ca/MCAT/mcat_about.php
Test Day:
- ARRIVE EARLY!!!!
- It is all online so you don't need any paper or pens (they provide you with scribble paper)
- You need government ID and I think your AAMC registration info
- They will take your finger print
- Wear comfy clothes that are weather conscious with layers (you will have to show all of your pockets to get in and out of the room)
- Stay hydrated, have a good breakfast, and GET SLEEP BEFORE!!!
- Have someone drive you if you can, you will feel like shit after
Then when it is all done, drink heavily! :)
Melting
Scorching hot in Southwestern Ontario. Just gross. 42 C today. I feel for the people and animals living/working outside.
I got to see Stallion Semen collection this week. Same as all the videos I have watched in reproduction class, but now I can officially say I have seen it happen live. It really is a quick procedure.... 10 sec flat.
I also helped out with some porcine x-rays (broken humerus repair with pins and K wire). So we can add that to the list! I applied a belly bandage onto a heifer that had come in for an umbilical hernia as well. She was so sweet! But ringworm positive so I had to dress up to see her... I look lovely in bright yellow!
So orientation week for the 2016s approaches and the committee is deep in preparation. I am helping revamp the handbook that will be emailed out to the newbies at the beginning of August. Our years was 50 pages, which is just ridiculous. So I am working to shave it down to 30. Another thing we are trying is to make a more fun/creative/useful map of OVC and Downtown. My peer is an excellent cartoonist and he is working with me on the project, so I am very excited about the end result!
Speaking of him actually, he is working on a cartoon blog to represent the students of OVC as we go through the program here. Once his link is up, I will post it!
I also realized that there were some pieces missing from my advice section that I should have posted when I started this thing. I will look back and try to fill in the holes, especially because I have been talking specifically with some people who are trying to get in to the OVC recently!! You guys should have as much info as possible.
Any questions or requests, please comment or email!
I got to see Stallion Semen collection this week. Same as all the videos I have watched in reproduction class, but now I can officially say I have seen it happen live. It really is a quick procedure.... 10 sec flat.
I also helped out with some porcine x-rays (broken humerus repair with pins and K wire). So we can add that to the list! I applied a belly bandage onto a heifer that had come in for an umbilical hernia as well. She was so sweet! But ringworm positive so I had to dress up to see her... I look lovely in bright yellow!
So orientation week for the 2016s approaches and the committee is deep in preparation. I am helping revamp the handbook that will be emailed out to the newbies at the beginning of August. Our years was 50 pages, which is just ridiculous. So I am working to shave it down to 30. Another thing we are trying is to make a more fun/creative/useful map of OVC and Downtown. My peer is an excellent cartoonist and he is working with me on the project, so I am very excited about the end result!
Speaking of him actually, he is working on a cartoon blog to represent the students of OVC as we go through the program here. Once his link is up, I will post it!
I also realized that there were some pieces missing from my advice section that I should have posted when I started this thing. I will look back and try to fill in the holes, especially because I have been talking specifically with some people who are trying to get in to the OVC recently!! You guys should have as much info as possible.
Any questions or requests, please comment or email!
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Summer Lovin'
Hello, so now that my first year is done, I have taken the last two months to relax.
HAHAHA nope.
Ok so let us start by saying CONGRATS TO THE OVC CLASS OF 2016!!!! I am so excited to meet all of the new "first" years!!! Which means that I am now considered, a "second year"!!! Has a year really gone past? geezus.
Now lets get into the nitty gritty about my summer job. Working at the OVC has it's benefits and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Lots of my friends are working here too! I get to see them all the time!
- I get to know the facilities and softwares better
- I get to bond with the clinicians, residents, ordelies, techs, and agriculture assistants...
- I am learning the "OVC procedures and protocols" so that in fourth year, when I do rotations, I will not look like a fool!
- The BF works here so we get to spend lunches together sometimes
- I am learning some good technical skills
- I have gotten to work with a pig and some goats!!! (as well as allllll the horses and cows)
Cons:
- I spend WAY to much time in this building
- Night shifts are the worst
- I get minimum wage
- The caf is closed for the summer :(
- This kind of work is not "field" friendly... meaning you do not three step prep and follow sterile gloving procedures when you are standing in a field!!!! I am not learning anything that will help me with herd health.
- Sometimes I get sent home early... then on days that I would like to go home early, I cannot...
- Each tech that I work with is VERY different and I have to be careful how I respond/act in front of each one
But over all, I am very fortunate to have this job. I am learning ALOT and this is going to make my fourth year rotations SOOOO much easier. I am glad I did this, this summer, so I have some decent skills and experience so maybe next summer I can get a job in a mixed animal practice!
I mentioned "technical" skills. You may be wondering what those imply.
Things I have performed:
- Aseptic jugular catheter placement
- Equine/Bovine/Neonatal TPRs
- Spiked fluids
- Bottle feeding calves/foals
- Hanging/Changing fluids
- Jugular blood sample collection
- Facial crest blood sample collection
- Tail vein blood sample collection
- Running a Blood Gas test
- Running a Packed Cell Volume test
- Running a Total Solids test
- Plasma transfusions
- Tubing fluids through a fricspeculum
- Tubing fluids through a nasogastric tube
- Drawing up medications such as Flunixin, Sodium Penicillin, Procaine Penicillin, Ceftifur, Omeprazole, Phenylbutazone, TMS, etc
- Administering intramuscular injections
- Administering intravenous injections
- Administering oral medications
- Administering eye medications
- Complete isolation procedures
Some cool things I have gotten to watch:
- Urethroplasty
- Castrations (on Stallions and on a Jack!)
- Lameness work up
- Fetlock injections
- Injections into the cervical intervertebral spaces
- Hip joint injections
- Bronchiole-Alveolar Lavage
- Nasolacrimal duct flush
- Equine teeth float (Dentistry)
- Equine euthanasia
- Eye surgery (they removed some cysts from the eyelid)
- TVEC procedure to correct atrial fibrillation
- Cecal torsion surgery
- Spinal blocks for flank surgeries
- Porcine spay (ovariohystorectomy)
- Arterial blood sample collection
- Ultrasoundography
- Radiographs of legs, neck, thorax, and head
- Joint and belly taps
And so on. I wish I could show you some of the pics I have, but it is all confidential so tough cookies.
If you have any questions about those procedures, please ask and I can walk you through them.
I should get off this darn computer now and go enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather we are having in Southern Ontario this summer. :)
Until next time!
***Sorry about this weird highlight thing... can't seem to get rid of it!!!
HAHAHA nope.
Ok so let us start by saying CONGRATS TO THE OVC CLASS OF 2016!!!! I am so excited to meet all of the new "first" years!!! Which means that I am now considered, a "second year"!!! Has a year really gone past? geezus.
Now lets get into the nitty gritty about my summer job. Working at the OVC has it's benefits and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Lots of my friends are working here too! I get to see them all the time!
- I get to know the facilities and softwares better
- I get to bond with the clinicians, residents, ordelies, techs, and agriculture assistants...
- I am learning the "OVC procedures and protocols" so that in fourth year, when I do rotations, I will not look like a fool!
- The BF works here so we get to spend lunches together sometimes
- I am learning some good technical skills
- I have gotten to work with a pig and some goats!!! (as well as allllll the horses and cows)
Cons:
- I spend WAY to much time in this building
- Night shifts are the worst
- I get minimum wage
- The caf is closed for the summer :(
- This kind of work is not "field" friendly... meaning you do not three step prep and follow sterile gloving procedures when you are standing in a field!!!! I am not learning anything that will help me with herd health.
- Sometimes I get sent home early... then on days that I would like to go home early, I cannot...
- Each tech that I work with is VERY different and I have to be careful how I respond/act in front of each one
But over all, I am very fortunate to have this job. I am learning ALOT and this is going to make my fourth year rotations SOOOO much easier. I am glad I did this, this summer, so I have some decent skills and experience so maybe next summer I can get a job in a mixed animal practice!
I mentioned "technical" skills. You may be wondering what those imply.
Things I have performed:
- Aseptic jugular catheter placement
- Equine/Bovine/Neonatal TPRs
- Spiked fluids
- Bottle feeding calves/foals
- Hanging/Changing fluids
- Jugular blood sample collection
- Facial crest blood sample collection
- Tail vein blood sample collection
- Running a Blood Gas test
- Running a Packed Cell Volume test
- Running a Total Solids test
- Plasma transfusions
- Tubing fluids through a fricspeculum
- Tubing fluids through a nasogastric tube
- Drawing up medications such as Flunixin, Sodium Penicillin, Procaine Penicillin, Ceftifur, Omeprazole, Phenylbutazone, TMS, etc
- Administering intramuscular injections
- Administering intravenous injections
- Administering oral medications
- Administering eye medications
- Complete isolation procedures
Some cool things I have gotten to watch:
- Urethroplasty
- Castrations (on Stallions and on a Jack!)
- Lameness work up
- Fetlock injections
- Injections into the cervical intervertebral spaces
- Hip joint injections
- Bronchiole-Alveolar Lavage
- Nasolacrimal duct flush
- Equine teeth float (Dentistry)
- Equine euthanasia
- Eye surgery (they removed some cysts from the eyelid)
- TVEC procedure to correct atrial fibrillation
- Cecal torsion surgery
- Spinal blocks for flank surgeries
- Porcine spay (ovariohystorectomy)
- Arterial blood sample collection
- Ultrasoundography
- Radiographs of legs, neck, thorax, and head
- Joint and belly taps
And so on. I wish I could show you some of the pics I have, but it is all confidential so tough cookies.
If you have any questions about those procedures, please ask and I can walk you through them.
I should get off this darn computer now and go enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather we are having in Southern Ontario this summer. :)
Until next time!
***Sorry about this weird highlight thing... can't seem to get rid of it!!!
Sunday, 22 April 2012
1/4 Vet K
Well, the semester is done here at the OVC. And The Scarlet Stags made it through. Marks will be going up next week and rewrite dates are for late May. Hopefully I do not have to do any, that would be fantastic. But, Histo and Immunology were tough for me so I will have to accept the fact that I may be rewriting... Until then I am going to prep for the next things in my life.
1. Packing
Moving into a new room. Same house. It is a great location but the room I am in currently is just not big enough for all my shit.
2. Work at the Teaching Hospital
Orientation starts Monday 8:30 AM. No rest for the wicked.
3. Class of 2016's MMIs
I am personally prepping some close friends, but I also will be an interviewer for the actual ones in late May.
4. Dog Sitting
I have taken on quite a few jobs, but am still hoping for a couple more this summer. I am booked til the first week of June. It is really good money, and with the recent passing of my laptop AND Blackberry, well, I need the money.
5. Veterinary Experience
No kids. The fun of volunteering does not end once you get accepted into OVC. You have to keep expanding and broadening your horizons. As a person that has a strong interest in Food Animal Medicine, this is especially important for me. I need to get out into the field and get my hands dirty. So what do I have planned? Wellll, Dairy experience with a fellow Bovine Club member. Her Dad has agreed to take on some volunteers this summer to work on his Dairy farm and learn the ways of dairy producing. I have a lot of theory under my belt and I would like to ACTUALLY PRACTICE some of it! Another thing is poultry experience. I am trying to book a couple ride alongs with a local poultry vet. these are tough to set up, but if I can get one or two in this summer, I will be pleased. And continuation with Wild Ontario and Ruminant Field Services.
6. Health
I have gained weight this semester, for sure. So back to the gym it is for me. :) Also I am going on a Herbal Magic program, but money is tight so it may be a short 8 week kick. Maybe a jumpstart will be all I need? Hahaha, no, but every bit counts. Things that I would like to kick by the end of the summer: Daily beers (no more beers with dinner, or just cause ones on a hot afternoon) - I don't want to give it up completely, but save them for a special night out to the pub, frat parties, and big hockey/football game days; ice cream (it's a delicious, creamy, fatty vice!); coffee (I know you are laughing but I am really addicted and it is really bad... moving to herbal and green teas); chocolate (I never liked it as a teenager and child, but Uni has turned me into a chocolate hound. No more chocolate bars, chocolate chip cookies, Walkers chocolate.... Save it for Hot Chocolate and Bailey's for the hockey games next year... and the occasional chocolate milk after a work out); Gelatin (as a pectarian, I really should not be eating gelatin. This will be hard, but I should commit!). Also, I would like to try eating some local raised meat this summer. A friend of mine has a Broiler farm at home. Her parents raise, kill, and prepare chickens - seeing as this is what I would like to be able to do on my own farm in the future, it would be a good idea to try it now, as well as support my friends' farm.
Anyway. To anyone applying to vet school for next semester, I wish you the best of luck! Please, if you have any questions about Canadian school applications, MMIs, or the background information forms, I would be MORE than happy to help any way I can!
Happy Start of the summer! <3
1. Packing
Moving into a new room. Same house. It is a great location but the room I am in currently is just not big enough for all my shit.
2. Work at the Teaching Hospital
Orientation starts Monday 8:30 AM. No rest for the wicked.
3. Class of 2016's MMIs
I am personally prepping some close friends, but I also will be an interviewer for the actual ones in late May.
4. Dog Sitting
I have taken on quite a few jobs, but am still hoping for a couple more this summer. I am booked til the first week of June. It is really good money, and with the recent passing of my laptop AND Blackberry, well, I need the money.
5. Veterinary Experience
No kids. The fun of volunteering does not end once you get accepted into OVC. You have to keep expanding and broadening your horizons. As a person that has a strong interest in Food Animal Medicine, this is especially important for me. I need to get out into the field and get my hands dirty. So what do I have planned? Wellll, Dairy experience with a fellow Bovine Club member. Her Dad has agreed to take on some volunteers this summer to work on his Dairy farm and learn the ways of dairy producing. I have a lot of theory under my belt and I would like to ACTUALLY PRACTICE some of it! Another thing is poultry experience. I am trying to book a couple ride alongs with a local poultry vet. these are tough to set up, but if I can get one or two in this summer, I will be pleased. And continuation with Wild Ontario and Ruminant Field Services.
6. Health
I have gained weight this semester, for sure. So back to the gym it is for me. :) Also I am going on a Herbal Magic program, but money is tight so it may be a short 8 week kick. Maybe a jumpstart will be all I need? Hahaha, no, but every bit counts. Things that I would like to kick by the end of the summer: Daily beers (no more beers with dinner, or just cause ones on a hot afternoon) - I don't want to give it up completely, but save them for a special night out to the pub, frat parties, and big hockey/football game days; ice cream (it's a delicious, creamy, fatty vice!); coffee (I know you are laughing but I am really addicted and it is really bad... moving to herbal and green teas); chocolate (I never liked it as a teenager and child, but Uni has turned me into a chocolate hound. No more chocolate bars, chocolate chip cookies, Walkers chocolate.... Save it for Hot Chocolate and Bailey's for the hockey games next year... and the occasional chocolate milk after a work out); Gelatin (as a pectarian, I really should not be eating gelatin. This will be hard, but I should commit!). Also, I would like to try eating some local raised meat this summer. A friend of mine has a Broiler farm at home. Her parents raise, kill, and prepare chickens - seeing as this is what I would like to be able to do on my own farm in the future, it would be a good idea to try it now, as well as support my friends' farm.
Anyway. To anyone applying to vet school for next semester, I wish you the best of luck! Please, if you have any questions about Canadian school applications, MMIs, or the background information forms, I would be MORE than happy to help any way I can!
Happy Start of the summer! <3
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