Week 3

The BIG switch (just kidding!). An oddly slow week for the clinic.

Day 11:

Mainly a shadowing/observation day. Did TPRs on one Pug and Pitbull, and assisted with restraints for IV catheters. Observed three canine castrations, one dental, as well as an ear debridement & suture of the ears of a black Lab continuously bleeding from a mild laceration. Supported with cleaning the rest of the afternoon.

Day 12:

Assisted with cleaning and organization around the clinic alongside occasional restraints. Successful placement of IV catheter (hooray!) on a Bull Mastiff in for a castration, and two ET tube placement attempts on a Maltese in for a dental. Observed two canine castrations and dentals with one extraction.

Day 13:

Ran a CBC, Chemistry, as well as a progesterone test for a French Bulldog. Observed a patella luxation surgery on a toy poodle as well as a dental COHAT (scrubbed and packed instruments afterwards). Radiographs and skin scrapings completed on Mastiff showcasing mild lameness on left leg, rough hair coat, with hair loss and raised red bumps along skin. No abnormalities found under microscope by DVM, radiographs suspect slight deformity near elbow joint. 

Day 14:

Blood glucose curve monitoring on a geriatric Moyen Poodle with pre-existing diabetes and cataracts on both eyes. Curve suggested a decreased within two hours, but increased from original reading and plateaued thereafter. Day hospitalization and hourly TPR checks and IV fluids on a Cairn Terrier brought in by owner due to diarrhea and vomiting (worried it may be caused by its previous castration last week). Temperature decreased (original 39.6), panting stopped, and patient seemed physically brighter by end of day and discharged.

Day 15:

TPR and IM Methadone (epaxial muscles) on Bull Terrier in for lumpectomy and dental COHAT with extractions. Assisted DVM with sterile opening of packs and instruments as well as assisting with anesthetic monitoring during procedures. 

TPR and IV catheter placement for another Bull Terrier in for dental COHAT with extractions.

Emergency c-section of Siamese cat struggling to pass its last two kittens (3 kittens already out and stable). Shaved surgical area, received kittens (rubbing, suctioning any excess fluids from nose and mouth), and confirmed genders while looking for cleft palates and rectums in all kittens. Both kittens were stable and was able to go home with mum the same day :)!

Day 16:

Short day; did two canine nail trims and restraint for the ultrasound of a French Bulldog with one puppy!

What did you enjoy in the week and why?

I most enjoyed being part of the feline emergency c-section! Though it was intimidating at first, (and quite frankly a little scary), seeing the kittens slowly come to life and take deep breaths was extremely rewarding.

What were your achievements and why?

I felt that my achievement this week was placing two IV catheters successfully! As someone who struggled immensely in threading the catheter through during lab, the practiced motion and stabilization of the catheter, and the slight advancement of the needle after the flash, helped me succeed!

What were your challenges and why?

The main challenge that I experienced was placing ET tubes this week. For some reason, I struggled with pushing aside the soft palate and the epiglottis (albeit without a laryngoscope...), causing me to place the ET tube to the side. As such, I will use a laryngoscope till I become more comfortable placing it without!

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

The next skill I will be focusing on would be furthering my ultrasound experience! Though I can recognize the big 5, differentiating between the tissues within the abdomen is still difficult (and quite frankly, a bit like witchcraft). I will do this by shadowing the vets and vet nurses as much as possible when patients come in, asking questions, and involving myself in the process!

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

I was introduced to the use of V-Gel Blind Intubation Tubes for cats! This tube, designed to simply cover the hole of the trachea rather than to go down it, helps prevent laryngospasms in cats, and is ideal for procedures under ~30 minutes. However, since it is not a complete seal, it should not be used during dentals!