August 25, 2011

Have a Heart (A Cow Heart, That Is!)

Hey :)

I forgot to mention yesterday that we got to play with a cow heart in Anatomy!  We are studying the Circulatory System (heart, blood, arteries and veins), and Dr. Olsen brought one in so we could see the inside of an actual heart, and learn how it works.  I don't know if you've ever seen a cow heart in person, but they're pretty big (think the size of a REALLY thick steak!)  We took turns going through (as in sticking our fingers through!) the valves  and compartments explaining how the blood flows along the way.  It was pretty neat to actually see and feel a real heart to get a good grasp on how it works!



When we were done and cleaning up, I attempted to spray out the sink and accidently sprayed Dr. Olsen....twice!  The sprayer was in a really awkward position and I hit the nozzle while I was trying to manipulate it.  Luckily, Dr. O. has a good sense of humor and thought nothing of it.  It gave my classmates and I quite the laugh though!


Today, we took a Pharmacology exam and I got a 93% on it :)  We also took notes, and did a small lab.  We took out a couple dogs and practiced giving them "pills" (cat food pieces).  Basically, you just open their mouth (protecting yourself from their teeth), and put it right down their throat so their normal reflexes will swallow it the rest of the way.



I'd never pilled an animal before, so it was fun to try, and the dog swallowed it right away for me :)    We also practiced giving "liquid oral medications" (water).  Here, you just take your syringe (without the needle), pull their cheek open, and squirt it right in.  That was a lot easier than I thought it would be too!



Dr. O mentioned that next week we will be giving vaccinations!  I'm very excited and a little nervous.  We'll be doing injections in locations OTHER  than SubQ (under the skin between the shoulder blades), which is the easiest one to do.  It should be interesting!

On Deck for next week is our third and final Math Comp (which I don't have to worry about), and so far no exams!  (We'll see if that changes ;)

Have a good weekend!


P.s. This blogpost was a little longer, but I hope the pictures kept you interested ;)

August 24, 2011

Living the Dream :)

Hey guys!
This week has been a great one as well! :)

We had our second Math Comp (which I didn't have to worry about because I passed it the first time), and I was the only one who technically got 13/13 :D  Today, we took an exam on the Digestive System in Anatomy and I aced it!!  It was really tough and I felt like I guessed on some of the practical part (where he puts pins in a cat cadaver and we have to name what they are), but I did great!

After class today, I started my job as the Student Aid to the Vet Tech Department!  It is really exciting, even though I just did inventory!  I got to see the things I'll be working with (like stocking, the bulletin board, filing paperwork, etc).  I will have access to places most students won't, like the storage closets, the faculty room, etc.

It's been an awesome week! I need to get to studying though, because I have a Pharmacology Exam tomorrow.  I will let you know how it goes!


August 18, 2011

Exam after Exam after Exam...

Hello Friends -

It's been a long week, and an exciting one!  I had exams in all three classes, and I'm very excited to say I got A's on all of them!  I'm beginning to realize that we're halfway through the quarter and I'm still getting A's.  This isn't a fluke, this isn't "easy," I'm REALLY just doing really well!  It's a phenomenal feeling!

Today in Pharmacology we did another Lab.  We used the math we've been practicing in a clinical setting.  We used an animal's weight to calculate the correct dosage of a drug for them, and then calculated which size tablet we should use (50mg, 100mg, etc).  Then we practiced counting out the meds for the pill bottle to send home with the client, and also splitting pills.

Once again, it is so exciting to learn hands on!

I also talked with one of my instructors, and I will be beginning my position as a Student Aid to the VT Department on Wednesday!  I know that I will be starting off doing inventory and will also work on the VT bulletin board and other things.  I'm pretty stoked to start it, since it's been "in talks" since last quarter!

I will write more next week and let you all know how it's going!
Thanks for the support!
-Cherie'

August 12, 2011

Math Comp Two

Hey All -

Just wanted to write a quick note that I passed my Math Comp on the first try!!
I was one of the about 20% that passed it, so I am very proud!

Have a great weekend!


August 10, 2011

Fluids and Muscles

Yesterday in Pharmacology we had a fluids lab.  We spent the class time using math calculations that we've been working on to calculate fluids for various things.  Then, we got to physically prepare the things we calculated!

For example, we calculated the correct amount of fluids to give to a dehydrated animal, and then got to dilute and set up the IV bags, including the drip rate.  We also did calculations for making a cleaning solution (and actually mixed one up), reconstituted a powdered medication, and drew up medications into syringes.



It was a LOT of fun to finally take these calculations we'd been working on for three weeks and use them in a carefree environment!  Doing anything hands - on makes it that much easier to learn.

Today, we disected more muscles in our Cat Cadaver and we were verbally quizzed on them.  It is so much easier to learn about muscles when you've actually dissected them and felt them.

In Physiology we took and exam on muscles - I got a 87% :)



Tomorrow, we have our first Math Comp for Pharmacology.  This is an "all or nothing" exam, meaning we have to get it all right, or we fail the comp.  Fail it three times and you fail the class.

Math has always been a strong suit for me and I have received 100% on all of my practice worksheets, so I'm not too worried.

Will write later :)

August 4, 2011

Doin What I Love, Lovin What I Do...

Hello Friends -

This week in school I had three more exams.  The first two were Anatomy and Physiology, and I got A's on both of them :)  The third was a different story.  The exam was on Pharmacology and even our instructor warned us that it was the test that his students always scored lowest on.

I pulled off a 77% after hours of studying the night before.  I will take it because many people didn't do as well.  The exam included lots of classes of antibiotics, as well as their functions and both generic and trade names.  I didn't study for the way the test was given (mainly because it was the first one with actual medications on it), but now I know what to study and how to study it for the next exam.  I still have A's in all of my classes, and I plan on working my butt off to keep it that way :)

After class today, a friend of mine asked me to help vaccinate her nine (yes, NINE) seven week old Golden Retriever Puppies!  It was my first paying gig and I can't even begin to tell you how AWESOME it felt to do!
She got the vaccinations from Fleet Farm and I had to mix them and administer them subQ (under the skin at the nape of the neck).  A neighborhood girl stopped over and asked if I was a veterinarian! I was very happy to say, "no, but I am studying to become a veterinary technician." : D

Well, I have the weekend to relax and then back to studying next week.  Enjoy the weekend all!