This past week I have thoroughly enjoyed being on placement at a mixed vet practice where I got to see for myself the variety of different cases that can walk through the door and how the vets deal with such diversity. Prior to this placement I had already completed a further week a specialised small animal only practice during my summer, therefore it was nice to be able to experience a different approach to not only the running of the practice but the type of patients that the vets had to work with, as well as different types of anesthetics used.
First of all I spent most of my time in the consult rooms with the vets and observed their use of body language and voice whilst dealing with clients. I noticed in particular the way that the vets kept mainly open body and soft voices when addressing the animal patients, whilst using their computer records to ensure that they were up to date with the animals full history, name and why they were being brought in. Whilst listening to the owner, the vet would occasionally nod to show their understanding, smile at appropriate moments for example when a puppy shows some affection to its owner or them and offered reassurance to the owner in terms of health checks, vaccinations and any operational procedures as well as informing them of any potential risks or side effects.
Throughout the week I saw a wide variety of cases: from a cat with a swollen neck abscess that fluid needed to be extracted from, to a hamster with an eye infection, a boa constrictor with a respiratory tract inflammation, rabbits with overgrown teeth, a cat that had unpredictably attacked its owner untriggered,
a chicken who unfortunately had developed flystrike and a cat with a condition known as Feline Resorptive Leisions. In addition there were also the usual puppy and kitten vaccinations, a dog issued with a passport and multiple health checks. The mixed practice also dealt with a case of horses with ear mites, whilst one vet talked about his time performing a cesarean on a cow and the difficulties that ensued.
One vet I shadowed even gave me basic anatomy lessons whilst carrying out operations in the afternoons, pointing out key parts of the reproductive systems and filling me in on some very long terminology (such as the gubernaculum)! I was also allowed to prepare a vaccine under the supervision of the vet. I was additionally talked through by the nursing staff how the anesthetic and machine they used worked...In cats an injection of ketamine is given which keeps them unconscious whilst any operational work is done and only pure oxygen is supplied by the machine. Dogs are pre-medded and then kept unconcious by administering isoflurane and pure oxygen. The ET tubes connecting the animals to the machine should only be removed in dogs before they swallow and in cats after they swallow to avoid damage to the airways.
Overall I really loved working at the mixed practice and really appreciate the attention, depth of information and support the staff there provided me with. I would absolutely love to go back and do further work experience with them when I get a chance! So far I feel this summer has been rather successful in the work experience department with me learning so many new things each week and my motivation to be a vet only strengthening with time! Next week I'm at a wildlife hospital on work experience so I shall let you all know what I learn there, in fact I'm rather excited just to work with some animals I've probably never seen up close before!
Image: http://equinelaw.alisonrowe.com/2009/07/articles/liens/lien-for-texas-large-animal-vets-to-take-effect-september-1-2009/
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