Week 6

Finally finished? YES. 🥳

Day 28: Uneventful day :). Set up dental for a DMH feline in for a scale and polish. Attempted ET tube placement, however due to excessive laryngospasm, passed over to DVM. Set up surgery room for lumpectomy on a Kelpie dog, and assisted with recovery afterwards.

Day 29: Placed with Dachshund patient transferred from emergency clinic for a full-day of fluids due to client concern of melena in feces and decrease in energy level. On a maintenance rate of 21 mL/hr using Hartmann's solution, with TPR completed every 2 hours. Melenic stool was not noted during stay, with a slight drop in temperature from original 39.4 degrees, and an increase in appetite. 

Day 30: Set up surgery, did surgical prep, and monitored anesthesia for a lumpectomy on a Staffy with three separate lumps along eye, neck, and chest. Stepped into anesthesia monitoring of a spay as head nurse was taken out to treatment room for an emergency involving a brown snake bite on a dog. Patient came in with white gums, faint heartbeat, and bleeding from mouth and nose. Euthanasia was ultimately decided on due to further decline in patient. 

Day 31: Dental day! Transferred over to rural associated clinic for the day to complete a dental on a Terrier X. Drew blood from jugular to perform preanesthetic bloods, placed IV catheter, induced patient, and placed ET tube. Completed scale and polish under the supervision of Dr. Rohan and Vet Nurse/Clinic Manager Emma :D! Uneventful anesthesia aside from slight sensitivity from scaling. Practiced blood slides and identifying WBC under microscope.

Day 32: Busy day! Assisted DVM with stitch removal on a Staffy in consult. Restrained for another Staffy in for lumpectomy, (IV catheter placement, induction, and ET tube placement). Monitored anesthesia and recovery afterwards. Cleaned and set up surgery room for biopsy and FNA of skin lesions of a Sphynx cat. Restrained for induction process, completed surgical prep on sites, and monitored anesthesia and recovery. Supervisor then placed me on care of a Cocker Spaniel suffering from Intervertebral Disc Disease. Patient received an initial fluid bolus, a Butorphanol injection for its excitement, alongside a Maropitant citrate injection to help ease excessive drooling. Patient was then placed on a maintenance rate of 24 mL/hr, with TPR completed every 2 hours, and syringe feeding every 30 minutes. 

What did you enjoy in the week and why?

I enjoyed having the ability to do a dental at a smaller clinic where there are less patients! I was able to take my time, and get coaching where I could, helping me gain better footing and understanding to improve further in the future! 

What were your achievements and why?

My achievement this week was improving my time management to a point where animals are not only taken care of, but the space, and the equipment needed are clean and ready for an efficient procedure.

What were your challenges and why?

My challenge this week was my struggle with placing an ET tube in a cat. Due to the constant laryngospasms, it made it difficult for me to visualize the trachea, and find the timing to feed the tube.

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

I will be focusing on improving my skills on a diverse set of species in the future. I will do this by working at various clinics or organizations specializing in differing animals (wildlife, small animal, mixed, aquatic, etc.) to gain comfortability and knowledge within each field. 

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

To explore careers with open-mindedness and confidence to learn.  Be curious and explore what is available; interests will change, so develop a good backing of knowledge to set yourself up for success. Thank you Dr. Rohan! :) 

"All students are nervous about everything and anything, but that doesn't make you a bad fit, you just need to find an environment that works for you."