Week 2

Woohoo! Hands-on week! :D

 Day 6:

Forest Kingfisher: suspected to have "leuco" (aka. Leucocytozoon a blood parasite) due to being poor doing and having white mucous membranes. Given a Vitamin B complex shot IM alongside SQ fluids (Sodium Lactate) near the inguinal area. A tail feather and fecal sample was also collected to test for leuco.

Pink tongue Skink: previous wounds and a missing left hind leg from a presumed dog bite. Radiographs completed to rule out osteomyelitis, no abnormalities found, set to be released following day. 

Duckling: found away from nest, no abnormalities seen on physical exam. Drew up SQ fluids and administered near the inguinal area on both sides.

Magpie: brought in after dog attack, no longer flight bound, decreased mobility and ADR. Euthanasia was eventually decided and was completed using the right wing vein. 

(Witnessed! Sea Turtle: endoscopy for ingested line & hook)

Magpie: found on ground, slight bruising near keel but has complete movement and flight. SQ fluids administered in the inguinal area, cleared to be released.

Australian White Ibis: found near road, covered in dried blood with a fractured right wing. Euthanasia was decided and was completed using the right wing vein.

Day 7:

Koala: HBC. Suspected dens fracture with a left xygomatic arch fracture (radiographs taken by night shift). On Methadone overnight for pain. IM Alfaxalone given prior to gas induction to complete physical exam. 10 mL Fentanyl with 40 mL saline at a rate of 1.2 mL CRI & bolus. On hypertonic fluids to minimize intracranial pressure.

Sacred Kingfisher: found on ground near car. Fractured leg and wing injury, euthanasia decided based on decreased quality of life. Assisted DVM with blood collection using jugular vein for a possible blood transfusion on an anemic Kingfisher in nursery. Blood unfortunately clotted and patient passed in process. 

Black-faced Cuckooshrike: fledgling unfortunately taken from nest area by concerned citizen. Physical exam found no abnormalities, Vitamin B complex was given IM with 10 mL of SQ fluids in inguinal area. Cleared for release the following day.  

Lace Monitor: found unmoving near a carpark. Noted rotten smell during physical exam, was extremely distressed and sensitive to touch. Radiographs revealed separated and rotated tibia and fibula on right hind leg with air pockets present. Euthanasia was completed using the dorsal tail vein at the lateral aspect. 

Fig Bird: young orphan brought in by carer, unkempt looking, and ADR. Blood slide using tail feather was leuco-negative (completed by DVM). Euthanasia was eventually decided on based on quality of life; used jugular vein on right side.

Young Bat: found in daylight near daycare. Was highly vocal which was questionable (young bats tend to be quiet in the presence of humans). Radiographs showed no abnormalities; given SQ fluids between scapula using a butterfly catheter.

Common Brushtail Possum: HBC. Collected blood using left cephalic vein, ran PCV and TP, and gave breaths via mask. Abdominal tap performed by DVM showed excessive internal bleeding. Euthanasia was performed by tail vein. 

(Witnessed! Kingfisher: 1 mL direct blood transfusion done at the medial saphenous vein using donated Kingfisher blood )

Day 8: 

Koala: reddened and swollen left eye, suspected to be caused by chlamydia. Wet and sore covered rump. Swabs collected from eye and perineal area to be sent for testing by DVM, ran a PCV and TP of its blood, and SQ fluids in the scapula area. Rump was then washed thoroughly and cream applied to sores.

Australian White Ibis: HBC and ADR. Unable to fly or walk, sluggish blink, and severe bruising on body and wings. Euthanasia performed by left wing vein. 

Microbat: hit window and ADR. Slow and decreased reaction to stimulation, but has the ability to grip on surfaces. SQ fluids and IM Meloxicam administered. 

Lorikeet: LPS (Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome) symptoms. Minimal grip and mobility, sluggish blink, and dry tongue indicating inability to swallow. Euthanasia by jugular vein. 

Sea Turtle: found ashore with line in mouth and around left fin. Radiographs taken, hook possibly located deeper within the intestinal area; prolapsed cloaca suggestive of struggling to pass it. Endoscopy and proctoscopy scheduled the next few days to look for hook and possible lacerations of intestines.

Honeyeater: ADR. Radiographs showed radius and ulna fracture at 3 positions and rotated. Euthanasia performed by jugular vein. 

Day 9:

Barn Owl: HBC. DVM performed eye exam as well as a fluorescein stain due to initial sluggish response of the left eye, however, no abnormalities were found. Radiographs were taken with no fractures noted. DVM suspects a mild concussion. SQ fluids were given as well as Meloxicam IM.

Sea Turtle: found floating on nearby beach. Radiographs (DV, lateral, and craniocaudal) revealed gas under shell. Patient sent to sea turtle rehab facility within hospital. 

Fig Bird: brought in by carer due to looking disheveled and poor-doing. Leucocytozoon overload noted after microscope investigation of tail feather blood. Euthanasia by jugular vein. 

Coastal Carpet Python: mouth cancer. DVM performed mandibulectomy (surgical removal of a part of the lower jaw). Breaths given by manual PPV due to poor breaths pre- and post surgery. Monitored recovery, slow but uneventful.

Lorikeet: showcased LPS symptoms. Decreased mobility and grip, severe head trauma, and possible concussion noted during physical exam. Euthanasia performed by jugular vein. 

Long Neck Turtle: found unmoving in the backyard of a family with dogs. Dog bite and scratch noticeable around shell. Ventral portion of shell fractured, fortunately with no displaced bone. DVM applied plaster and sticks to ease tension near fracture area. 

Figbird: nestling blown away from nest, ADR and severe bruising around keel. Euthanasia performed by jugular vein. 

Ringtail Possum: found on ground with 2 deceased babies. Radiographs revealed fracture on one front and one hind limb. Euthanasia was decided due to decreased quality of life (inability to climb trees), performed by tail vein. 

Day 10: 

Koala: maggot filled wound on left arm alongside a fluid filled abdomen. Extremely low BCS of 3/9. Euthanasia was decided on due to already present diminished quality of life. Performed by DVM using cephalic vein. DNA sample was also collected by cutting off a small portion of their ear.

Ringtail Possum: found in daylight (nocturnal animals). Radiographs completed, mild peritonitis noted alongside a slightly suspicious abdominal tap. SQ fluids given in the scapula area. Set to be released.

Tawny Frogface: fell into car. Mild bruising near keel, however, no abnormalities were noted during eye exam or on radiographs. SQ fluids and IM Meloxicam given.

Lorikeet: brought in with the suspicion of LPS. Can blink and fly (though slightly disoriented). DVM suggests trauma and a possible concussion rather than LPS. Vitamin B complex and Meloxicam was given IM with SQ fluids. 

Magpie: hit by a golf ball, arrived with left wing actively bleeding. Left wing visibly broken with no ability for repair. Euthanasia was performed using right wing vein.

Butcherbird: growth on eye with no blink. Euthanasia performed by jugular vein.  

What did you enjoy in the week and why?

The highlight of my week was seeing LPS Lorikeets who were on the trial use of Amifampridine at 15 mg/kg (10 mg/mL) show significant improvement 2 hours after their first dose (regained blink, increased mobility, and was significantly brighter). Though there was still plenty to tweak due to witnessed plateau of effects, seeing the amazing impact of medicine on an otherwise uncontrollable syndrome was extremely fulfilling!

What were your achievements and why?

My achievement this week was successfully hitting the caudal tail vein on the lateral aspect of the Lace Monitor! Thanks to the guidance of DVM Katie, I aimed at the midpoint of the tail, ventral to the bone, and redirecting dorsally once through skin.

What were your challenges and why?

The main challenge I faced this week was dealing with the amount of euthanasia I performed each day. Though I was able to hone my skills in restraint and dexterity (as well as improving my venipuncture techniques), I felt mentally burnt out performing such a heavy task day-to-day. 

What skills will you be focusing on (continued or next)?  What are your steps for succeeding in these skills?

The skill that I will continue to focus on my next placement is how to efficiently and effectively redirect during venipuncture. I will succeed in this skill by firstly understanding the patient's unique anatomy by visually looking and palpating the vein. Using such knowledge to line up my needle along the vein, keeping in mind how deep or how superficial the vein may be.

What are some tips and tricks you learned during the week?

When performing venipuncture in the jugular vein of small birds, tilt their head down, and gently push their trachea to the side to give yourself the best visual of their vein! (Also to avoid aspirating in small veins as much as possible as they have the tendency to blow.)