Rhymes that Rock for a Class Called Tox

Entry, Foot in Mouth Disease

Natalie Quader, Tuskegee

Toxicology is a class that needs a poem
I wrote one about the plants that could hurt pets at home
I could not cover it all 
But the one’s I did, I hope for this test I can recall!

Making one crazy and giving a valium need
Include Water Hemlock, Yellow Jessamine and Milkweed
Less severe CNS effects, but yet not anymore wise
Are the plants locoweed and all the parts of the Buckeyes

White Snakeroot and Black Nightshade will put a dog in a coma
While Diffenbachia will burn one’s stoma
Jimsonweed, Black Nightshade, and Poison hemlock’s toxins end in –ine
Treatment of Larkspur and Jimson Weed use Neostigimine

Poison Hemlock you may dry
But do this for water hemlock and you will die!
Locoweed produces birth defects
Secondary photosensitization equals bad liver effects

Castor and Rosary Pea are not like Sunflower Seeds
Alkaloids can effect cows and horses in their grassy feeds
During Easter, cats may need a new kidney from the bunny
Holidays are bad for cats, the poinsettia can be harsh on their tummy

Wild Pea, Coffee Senna, and Sickle Pods are not good for the muscle
Supportive treatment will be needed, and you’ll have to hustle
Mustard can make poop quite bloody
Cassia occidentalis will make urine quite muddy

Bitterweed will make a sheep spew
But test a pasture for senecio, give it to a ewe!
Algae, Amanita, and Cocklebur are harsh on the liver
Convulsions from Cyanide poisoning will make one shiver

There are still many plants I forgot 
I forgot to mention Sweet Clover Poisoning keeps you from a clot
Cyanide Poisoning makes a dog’s gums bright red
But if I don’t finish this, I’ll never get to bed

Be careful what you put in a pot or in your hay
Hopefully my advice will save a life, or at least give me an A!

Will You be My Friend?

Honorable Mention, Creative Corner
Jessica Dreyfuss, North Carolina

Ink Sketch

 

Boiga cyanea feeding

Honorable Mention, Creative Corner
Jessica Dreyfuss, North Carolina

Ink sketch

 

Farewell from San Diego

It's been another great AVMA Convention. Looking forward to seeing everyone for SAVMA Symposium on March 21-23, 2013 at Louisiana State University! Check out www.savmasymposium2013.com for more information.

Internships

Internships: are you planning on pursuing one or have you already been accepted?  Internships have been viewed as a way to gain more clinical experience as well as hone in on a specialty area.  But with the low salary figures and rising student debt, is it worth it? It might be the only path for those wishing to become board certified, but what about those who aren’t? Some say students may pursue an internship because they are still exploring career options, while others state that some grads lack the confidence to jump directly into practicing high quality medicine without the guidance of an internship program.  Are we getting all of the knowledge we need in veterinary school to dive in after graduation? Weigh in on the pros and cons of the internship experience and tell us how you decided whether or not to participate in one.

Honorable Mention, Life as a Vet Student Category
Sharon Ostermann, UC Davis

I’m a few weeks from beginning 4th year clinical rotations at this point and despite moments of serious consideration and contemplation over the past three years, I decided that I will not be pursuing a veterinary internship. Clearly, at this point, I cannot predict whether, as a new graduate, I will feel competent enough to go out on my own and practice good quality medicine (but, then again, we will only be partially through our clinical year when we have to make the decision of whether to apply for an internship).
Do I believe that an internship can be valuable? Absolutely! However, I believe it is an individual decision to be made on a case by case basis. For example, my decision to not pursue an internship after graduation is largely influenced by other life factors, including age.
Though I am not the oldest person in my class, I have taken a rather circuitous path to become a veterinarian that has been extremely rewarding in the lessons it has taught me, yet it’s also cost me something far more valuable– time. There was a point in veterinary school when I considered myself to have all the time in the world and I wanted to pursue an internship and a four year residency when I graduate. It wasn’t until I considered how old I would be when I finally started my career that I realized that I may need to re-evaluate.

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