CAPTION CONTEST

Caption submitted by Amelia Collins, University of Georgia

Photo submitted by Taylor Bobst, Iowa State University

"When the clinic is short-staffed"

CUTEST PET

Submitted by Callie Ezell, Louisiana State University

"Model Lyfe"

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: GUATEMALA

Submitted by Nardine Nasr, Cornell University

"Over Spring Break of March 2023, I have had the opportunity to go on a FARVets experience with a group of students and a couple veterinarians. We went to Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala where we performed sterilization procedures on the local dogs and cats. This experience was eye opening, as I got to learn the local culture, the level of veterinary care in a poor community, and how to perform veterinary care with limited access to supplies.

            In Santiago Atitlan we performed spays and neuters on the cats and dogs owned by the local people. We assessed if the patient is healthy enough for surgery, premedicated the patient, intubated them, IV catheterized them, shaved, prepped, and sterilized the patient. We anesthetically monitored the patient through manual counting of the heart rate and respiratory rate, and monitored the palpebral response. Over time we learned when the patient was starting to wake up and we would immediately give more anesthetic drugs before they woke up. We also got to perform surgeries. Lastly, we monitored, recovered, and reversed patients. Personally, I performed one feline male castration, four spays (three canine and one feline), and closed on a different patient. I also got to perform all the anesthetic duties, preparation of the patient for surgery, and recovery. As I got more experienced with each surgery I got to do more and more. The last two spays I preformed I had even accomplished doing 90% of the surgery on my own which was rewarding! 

          This veterinary experience also allowed me to see situations that would otherwise be unique in the United States. I got to see several pregnant spays, females in heat spays, and more. I even got to perform a spay on a large uterus with a lot of bleeding and a tiny uterus that was hard to exteriorize. This allowed me to see the whole spectrum of spays that will occur and feel the variations on such spays. I even learned different methods that are used in such situations. For example, I learned how to make a transfixation knot on a huge uterus and I learned on how to exteriorize a tiny uterus.

            Not only did I get hands-on surgery experience, but I also got to learn about the local veterinary care. I learned that the local people cannot afford to go to the veterinarian and many go without medical care. However, since there are few doctors and lack of affordability, it is common to be able to buy drugs over the counter. Thus, I learned that a lot of people may ask for other people’s advice and buy their own drugs for their pet.

            This experience was a truly valuable one. I got to gain surgical experience, but also I got to learn about veterinary care in a completely different situation. There are many valuable lessons I learned on this trip such as not relying on machines for monitoring and variations of methods on the same surgery due to different patients’ size and age. I look forward to applying what I learned to my veterinary career and maybe even going on a FARVets trip as a veterinarian myself."

VIN Topic Rounds

Are you missing out on clinical rotations because of COVID-19? The VIN Student Team has you covered with Tuesday Topic Rounds.  During the month of February, join J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (LAIM) for 30 minute, case-based sessions on Zoonotic Disease every Tuesday at 12ET. Everyone and all levels of experience are welcome. There will be time for Q&A and discussion following. The next session is Small Animal Zoonotic Cases on February 2, 2021 at 12 ET.

In this rounds:

• Discuss common and uncommon small animal zoonoses.
• Explore diagnostic, treatment, and management approaches.
• Learn through case-based discussion.

TO JOIN THE SESSION, LOG INTO THE VIN STUDENT CENTER AND CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is here to help you as a vet student – especially during this worldwide pandemic. Membership is always free as a student!

Professional Development Funds Winner

Brooke Van Remortel, Ross University

When I choose to become a leader in the veterinary profession, I knew I wanted to become a companion animal practitioner. After four years as a veterinary technician, not only was my passion for the small animal hospital environment strengthened, but a new passion for dentistry developed. Upon completing an equivalent of two years of veterinary practicum, I set out to find an externship where I could explore this new passion deeper and determine if it was a path for me. I had two goals for completing an externship at Companion Animal Hospital. The first was to investigate my passion for dentistry in a clinic setting. Secondly, to learn important tools that I could use in my future practice to be a confident leader.

At the Companion Animal Hospital, I was fortunate enough to achieve these goals while following three successful veterinarians in both the exam rooms and in surgery procedures. I spent most of my time however, with Dr. Nick Juleen because he shared my passion for dentistry. I was able to be involved in anesthetic protocols, accessing dental radiographs, and observing dental extractions. Dr. Juleen went over the objectives for performing an oral exam and what considerations need to be made when extracting a tooth. When we weren’t in surgery, I watched continued education courses on dentistry techniques.  The courses were conducted by Dr. Brett Beckman, who is heavily involved in the dental community as a diplomate of both the American Veterinary Dental College and the American Academy of Pain Management. In the videos, I learned how to perform local blocks and tips on how to efficiently remove difficult teeth.  I found the information very valuable and know I will use it when I am learning the material in our class settings.  Dr. Beckman’s professional recommendations will be a great asset for me.

Not only was Dr. Juleen’s love for dentistry infectious, his teaching qualities were excellent. We discussed in length the reality of the veterinary industry and what he thought was the most important attribute of being a veterinarian. In his opinion, communication is the most important skill a veterinarian can have. He feels being an effective communicator is the bread and butter of the veterinary profession because while it is important to know the medicine, it is as equally important that the client understands. Good communication is important for gaining trust with not only the client but also with your coworkers. It was beneficial to follow two other veterinarians at the practice. I picked up that the clients appreciated that all three of the veterinarians were candid and helped them understand the health of their pet.  It pointed out to me that it is important to be in practice with other veterinarians that have the same core values and beliefs as I do.

Overall, this externship was an amazing experience and I’m so happy I chose to do it.  I will carry with me all that I learned at Companion Animal Hospital into both the rest of my schooling and into my career.  I would highly recommend to any veterinarian student to do an externship either at Companion Animal Hospital or another center that suits their needs.  The experience is invaluable because it’s important to remember the end objective which is being the veterinarian. From personal experience, it is easy to get lost in the constant studying and running around however this externship reminded me of my end goal and is going to keep motivated as I finish at Ross University.