Scottsdale: Day 1
It seems unbelievable that i've taken the first steps of the journey as a final year intern!
Took the 7am flight to Launceston from rainy Sydney, walked around the city area until the 4pm bus arrived and dropped me off at Scottsdale. It was slightly unnerving being the only Asian/city bum for miles around (not that there was racism, but anyhow). Dr Sonika was there to pick me up and brought me to do grocery shopping. I will be staying with her for the next 3 weeks!
Her 2 dogs Tara & Nyala + Madison the beautiful long-haired grey cat who follows you everywhere are lovely companions (albeit sticky at times haha). The roaring fireplace in the living room does make me toasty and warm but sleepy...(mind is tired so pardon the incoherent writing)
Anyway, the first day at Scottsdale Vets started off with Khyle cancelling his morning cases due to the rain (a gelding and some rams to dehorn i think) so I just followed Sonika to the clinic at 9.30. I didn't stay long at the clinic however as Peter (the young vet whom I just met) asked me to join him for a house call euthanasia. It really felt like something out of a James Herriot book as we drove down Ringarooma (can't remember the name exactly?) in the ute, with the clouds grazing the top of the mountains
When we got to the house, a Border Collie greeted us, stick in mouth, with fervor that only a dog could possess.
It was humbling to experience first-hand how much country folk treasured their pets, as Jane the old lady choked up with tears but managed to compose herself as Peter injected the lethabarb into Whisky, and watched the last remnants of life fade from his eyes.
After getting back to the clinic, Sweetie, an old patient (Lab cross) showed up. The presenting problems were horizontal nystagmus (fast phase to the right), ataxia, vomiting, mixed ear infection...so the differentials were otitis externa/interna + possibly a cranium lesion on the left side?
Later, I was really happy I got to scrub in with Sonika and attempt a spey and suture up (finally!). Also, Peter and Sonika guided me through putting IV catheters in (thank you for your patience!). Got scratched by crabby cat while attempting to, but I didn't really mind (or blame her - i would be crabby too if someone tried to stick a needle into my arm).
After lunch, helped Peter with induction of anaesthesia on crabby cat and watched a bit as he did the spey (turns out she was pregnant with 5 foetuses!) and followed Colleen to the Lee's (horse owners who wanted to breed their mares via embryo transfer). So we spent a fair bit of time doing rectal exams/ultrasounds.
It's been not a very long day, but somehow i'm still zonked out...lame cows await me tomorrow with Dr Khyle...exhausted but looking forward to the next few days!
Took the 7am flight to Launceston from rainy Sydney, walked around the city area until the 4pm bus arrived and dropped me off at Scottsdale. It was slightly unnerving being the only Asian/city bum for miles around (not that there was racism, but anyhow). Dr Sonika was there to pick me up and brought me to do grocery shopping. I will be staying with her for the next 3 weeks!
Her 2 dogs Tara & Nyala + Madison the beautiful long-haired grey cat who follows you everywhere are lovely companions (albeit sticky at times haha). The roaring fireplace in the living room does make me toasty and warm but sleepy...(mind is tired so pardon the incoherent writing)
Anyway, the first day at Scottsdale Vets started off with Khyle cancelling his morning cases due to the rain (a gelding and some rams to dehorn i think) so I just followed Sonika to the clinic at 9.30. I didn't stay long at the clinic however as Peter (the young vet whom I just met) asked me to join him for a house call euthanasia. It really felt like something out of a James Herriot book as we drove down Ringarooma (can't remember the name exactly?) in the ute, with the clouds grazing the top of the mountains
When we got to the house, a Border Collie greeted us, stick in mouth, with fervor that only a dog could possess.
It was humbling to experience first-hand how much country folk treasured their pets, as Jane the old lady choked up with tears but managed to compose herself as Peter injected the lethabarb into Whisky, and watched the last remnants of life fade from his eyes.
After getting back to the clinic, Sweetie, an old patient (Lab cross) showed up. The presenting problems were horizontal nystagmus (fast phase to the right), ataxia, vomiting, mixed ear infection...so the differentials were otitis externa/interna + possibly a cranium lesion on the left side?
Later, I was really happy I got to scrub in with Sonika and attempt a spey and suture up (finally!). Also, Peter and Sonika guided me through putting IV catheters in (thank you for your patience!). Got scratched by crabby cat while attempting to, but I didn't really mind (or blame her - i would be crabby too if someone tried to stick a needle into my arm).
After lunch, helped Peter with induction of anaesthesia on crabby cat and watched a bit as he did the spey (turns out she was pregnant with 5 foetuses!) and followed Colleen to the Lee's (horse owners who wanted to breed their mares via embryo transfer). So we spent a fair bit of time doing rectal exams/ultrasounds.
It's been not a very long day, but somehow i'm still zonked out...lame cows await me tomorrow with Dr Khyle...exhausted but looking forward to the next few days!