October 6, 2012

Week 1 (almost) Complete

Things I got to do this week:

  • Blood draws
  • Bloodwork
  • Lots of radiographs
  • IV set up and maintenance
  • Using the computer system
  • Stocking
  • Fecal, Urine and Ear cytology analysis
  • Ultrasound
  • Euthanasia set up
  • Syringe Pumps
  • Doppler (blood pressure)
  • Drug calculation and administrations
  • Maintenance of oxygen chambers
  • Adding medications to a fluid bag
  • Gave medication to a dog to induce vomitting in a doberman that ate some socks
  • Scrub in for surgery


Things I got to witness:

  • An ultrasound specialist draw fluid out and away from the heart of a kitty
  • The euthanasia of three orphaned kittens who were only weeks old and covered in maggots
  • Big worms from a stray Beagle :/
  • The removal of a femoral head and a seroma (puss filled pocket)
  • How quickly vomitting medication can work
  • How quickly sedatives can work
  • Cystocentesis (removal of urine from the bladder using a needle and syringe) using a ultrasound to guide it



And most importantly, I've learned how I finally got it right, I'm in the right field, and I've picked a phenomenal hospital to learn at!!  I'll update later!

October 1, 2012

First Day at the Clinic (Internship)

Wellllllllll!  Today was my first day interning at the clinic.  I was so nervous on the way up I literally thought I was going to puke.  I had dreams last night of missing my alarm, showing up two hours EARLY (weird, right?), a dream i forgot how to get on the interstate.. and a dream my scrubs didn't fit...even though I had tried them on in the store before I bought them.  Nerves can do a lot to a person!



The best part is, I had NOTHING to worry about.  Everyone at the clinic is super helpful, and you can tell they are constantly training (interns and each other).  Everyone is very good about explaining what they're doing, and I got to see a lot of cool stuff.

I got to see a nasogastric tube, helped with digital x-rays, meds, the computer system, "rounding" (which is just meeting with the people from the previous shift to get the low down on each of the animals), TPR's and using a "doppler" (basically a ultrasonic method of monitoring blood pressure), and little things like how to detach an IV so we can take the dog outside.

Everyone works together really well and I can't wait to head back up tomorrow.

Best part is I get to wear my own scrubs!