To Paradise from Paradise

DVM - RUSVM

[vetandready]

Anonymous Vet.

I just wanted to write somewhere what I was thinking about. And it feels like a lot.

I hope it gives a little insight to what it is like on the other side of the exam table at the veterinary office.

Today was another hard day at work. It was very busy, and I found myself being thankful for the 2 cancellations in the afternoon. We had four walk-ins to take their place. Not to mention, a technician is on a well-deserved vacation (staycation), but we also have another technician out sick - so this makes us short-staffed. In the morning when we walk in, there are three technicians, one receptionist, and a doctor to accommodate what I call the 10AM rush (along with whatever the rest of the day holds); typically, two scheduled doctor's appointments, one technician appointment, and three drop-offs (along with about 3-5 walk-in appointments show up calling at the same time which ties up the phone lines). You may think we are just overbooking ourselves, but we are booked out three weeks solid, AND STILL have people walking in to wait for the doctor or technician to see their pet.

I still have yesterday's lab works to call back and make communication with pet parents of all the sick dogs and cats that I saw the prior day. And when the lab work results come back from last week, this morning, I still have to review the medical history of those patients before I call the owners (because I saw maybe a hundred or more other patients since I last saw them). When am I going to see those drop off appointments? In between scheduled day appointments. I also must call every person and talk to multiple people on the phone.

My staff is busy the entire day also, answering phones and taking requests to book an appointment and answering random questions for the pet owner that just wants to know if their pet needs to be seen urgently for a freckle they just found on its rear end, and safely transporting patients to and from cars, comforting pets while samples are collected in the clinic, calling in prescriptions to local pharmacies, giving cuddles to the drop off patients (yes, they make time for that) while they take them out for potty breaks and stretches, taking medical histories over the phone for appointments, checking in appointments that have just pulled in and getting that new clients information entered into the system, and getting other tasks done in between.

 How is it that I still have people yelling at my techs over the phone for their hold time? And people who get frustrated because they had to wait 30 minutes to 3 HOURS to have their pet seen as a walk-in? Or those who feel the need to berate the receptionist who did not have the owner's flea prevention ready right when they called, but would not go ahead and pay before they arrived? Why are there those that question, jokingly, to me as the doctor, "when are you gonna start giving away free samples of one hundred dollar bills?" as if our services aren't valuable enough to them, for them to pay their bill with gratitude? Why do some people get upset when they cannot get in during our lunch hour? Why, during what you would think would be the hardest time for a pet parent, they still find it in themselves to be rude enough to bring a technician to tears?

My plea is this.

Please be patient when you must hold on the line, use that time to take a few breaths and be okay with slowing down. Please understand that we are doing our best to accommodate the walk-in patients. Please say "thank you" more often. And please be gentle to our staff, during a time that perhaps you need serenity as well - we all grieve for the loss of every patient, and do not take it lightly. We also have a great weight to bear with all the other expectations we are met with throughout the day up until that very moment.

Please continue to be the person who does not mind waiting patiently for five minutes on the hold line. Please continue to be the person who thanks the technician profusely over the phone for answering a few non-urgent questions. Please continue to ask inquiring questions, and really reap the benefits of what you are paying for. Please continue to come in for your pet's recheck appointments, and give the full course of antibiotics, and pay attention so we can work together when something goes awry with your pet. Please continue to be patient as a walk-in, and then thank us after you waited for three hours, for getting you squeezed in. Please continue to send us little snacks and cards as a token of your appreciation. Please continue to be patient and kind with us. Kindness breeds kindness. It gives us energy to continue moving forward and helping. 

At the end of the day, my stomach growls and I remember the snack I ate earlier while I had continued to work through my lunch hour. I am emotionally, physically, and mentally drained from the day. The highs of seeing a new puppy and sharing in the happy news of a pregnancy with some pet parents, and the lows of learning a referred patient did end up having bone cancer as I had suspected, having to deliver bad news regarding lab results, and having to help a patient peacefully pass - are all taking up space in my heart and mind. Before I get in my car, I remind my staff how much I appreciate their hard work, and then encourage them to have a relaxing day off tomorrow.

 We will do it all again on Thursday.

[vetandready]

"In 7 years one female cat can be responsible for the birthday of up to 781,250 kittens." 😮

Introduction to Feline Behavior

[vetandready]

Epic Fail. (Old Things New)

I can’t believe it’s been three years since I wrote these words. Thank goodness I didn’t give up...

written May 23, 2014 just prior to finishing my preclinical training...

I am a failure.

I took an extra year to complete my undergraduate degree. I didn't get in to veterinary school the first time I applied, despite being granted an interview with my first application. I didn't complete my undergraduate studies with a 4.0 GPA. I was accepted to an "off-shore" veterinary school. I was invited to start in the "Vet Prep" program. I was rejected the first time I applied for SAVMA Delegate. I had to repeat two classes due to unforeseen circumstances while in veterinary school...

Yes, I guess you could look at all those things out of context and assume that I am a failure by today's societal standards. 

I will never forget that moment I opened the long awaited letter from the veterinary school to which I had first applied, been granted an interview, and from which I was sent on my way with high expectations. "We are sorry to inform you that..." was as far as I read before my eyes filled with tears. No one could console me. I was a blubbering MESS. My dreams had been squashed before my eyes and I was sad, angry, confused, frustrated, and hopeless. I was a big, fat LOSER.

What an epic fail.

Yet, deep inside, that flame still flickered. And, soon, I found out how epic that fail truly was. It was so EPIC, that it led me to where I am today. So did all of the other "fails" in my life. In fact, I've failed so good, that I am now on my way to becoming successful! (Well, at least, that is one way of looking at it.) All in all, my lifelong goal is still being pursued. 

More importantly, I have learned to live by my own standards: "Strive to be happy. Keep trying. And, if trying doesn't make you happy, it is okay to stop trying, take a breather - or maybe cry a little - and then shake it off and start again." 

I'm not asking for a pity party here, or even a pat on the back, really. I guess this is just a reminder to myself, a little motivational push. I'm going to keep stumbling through life, tripping over my own feet, and running face first into obstacles. I am human, after all. And it's my dance. My life. 

[vetandready]

Super -Tucky Swagalistic Hella Sexy Vet-ness

me...with mods from a tee I saw keep.com

[vetandready]

I am HORRID at math, and quite possibly at many of the sciences, but I am incredibly passionate about helping the lives of animals. I volunteer and am constantly on the lookout of opportunities to help. I am a sophomore in Uni and want to be a vet, I am just terrified that I will fail :( Any advice?? Xx

You know, “The only thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve, is the fear of failure.” (Paulo Coelho).

Other advise that isn’t so cliché…Let me begin with a true story:

I remember taking final exams and being afraid of failing every time. Why was I afraid? I think I was most afraid of letting myself down. I had this dream of becoming a veterinarian since before I knew exactly what that meant. I was four years old and couldn’t even pronounce it correctly. “When I grow up, I want to be a VEGETARIAN!”, I would boast. I wrapped myself up in it like a burrito…yes, like a burrito. I was consumed with becoming a veterinarian. Everything I did was to ensure I could get into vet school. Once I was in vet school, I was still enamored with the idea that I was on the road to something BIG. I was going to be a VET! However, I still feared failure.

I think I just became so enveloped in the dream that I couldn’t bear the thought of having to come up with a backup plan if it fell through. The backup plan was like a black hole. I just couldn’t make myself face it. My advise to you is to HAVE A BACKUP PLAN and make yourself comfortable with it. This doesn’t mean lose hope in what you set out to achieve. I feel that if I had had a “plan B”, I would have saved myself a lot of worry, fear, tears and anxiety…the day I got my first rejection letter from a vet school, the night before exams, the day of my oral exam, the time I was taking my surgery skills test, the morning I awaited my final exam grades, and throughout my clinical rotations.

The fact of the matter is, you can do anything you truly put your mind and heart into, whether that be obtaining your doctorate in veterinary medicine, or getting your license as a certified veterinary technician. You have to make a decision. Any decision will come with sacrifice. And if Plan A doesn’t work out, there are 25 other letters. :)

[vetandready]

Stitch Fix | Try a Personal Stylist!

Your own personal stylist! Get hand-selected women’s fashion, shipped free straight to your door. Try on everything risk-free at home.

I had to try it. And...it was so much fun! A stylist actually wrote me a personalized note, “...and here is a dress for you to wear to the Keeneland horse races...”, I got some super awesome jeans and cute blouses, and last but not least, who doesn’t enjoy getting a mystery box delivered to your door?! It is worth the $20 to try at least once! Tell them Tia sent you ;)

[vetandready]

"We have to stop blurring the line between commitment and self endangerment..."

[vetandready]

I dropped my glove and then something beautiful happened... While hiking the Pinnacles with my husband, Brian, a glove fell from my pocket. I hunted for it when I realized it was gone, but I only backtracked so far. Once we decided to move forward, we passed a couple on the trail with whom we exchanged smiles and a quick greeting. Then Brian turned around and said, "Do you mind if I ask you a favor? If you see a black glove in the trail on your way back, do you mind putting it on the hood of the red jeep?" The guy agreed and we were all on our separate ways again. After another hour or so, we had hiked out to a peak and returned to the jeep. "I think I see your glove!" Brian said. I was so excited that our 'strangers' had been so kind to actually keep an eye to the ground in the first place, and that they had returned it under the wiper so it didn't blow away was even better. When I removed it from beneath the windshield wiper blade, I noticed there was something inside the glove: A five dollar bill, along with a note that read, "Happy New Year From Clyde and Amanda Chive on! Enjoy a drink on us!" It was such a nice surprise and a kind gesture. This is how life should be. We should be able to ask people for help when we need it. And if people are able and capable of helping, they should want to help, without hesitation. And why not throw a smile or a hug or a note or even some change in to top it off? If everyone helped everyone out lovingly throughout their life, I believe the world would be a better place. I'm inspired. I hope you are too. Pay it forward, pass it on, give back when you can without expectation, and it will come back around to you. If anyone sees Clyde and Amanda, tell them we appreciate this so much! CHIVE ON!

[vetandready]

Christmas Shopping Link!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLumberSexual?section_id=all

[vetandready]

Pancake & Sophie. My dogs are just smashing.

[vetandready]

A-Z Tagging Game for Vets/Vet Techs/Vet Students

Source: gram-stained-paws

A-Z tagging game for Vets/Vet Techs/Students

A: Are you a: vet/ vet student/ vet tech/ vet nurse/ volunteer? Vet

B: Are you interested in large/ small animals/ exotic animals/ birds/ zoo? Larrrrrge Animals

C: Where do you work/ study/ volunteer? Park Equine Hospital

D: Describe your role model/ person who inspires you the most: My grandmother always inspired me as a child. She was a hard worker but always took the time to hear people’s stories and genuinely care about them.

E: Favourite subject/ clinic + why: I really enjoyed diagnostic pathology, especially performing necropsies. Seeing the outcome of a disease process and seeing the case in hindsight really helped me understand the disease process and how to better follow a case through diagnostically. I also enjoy neonatal medicine and equine surgery.

F: Least favourite subject/ clinic + why: Emergency medicine and anesthesia have it tied. I understand both well but they both tend to make me anxious and anxious isn’t a feeling I enjoy.

G: If you had to treat one species for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Equine. They are the most challenging and the most rewarding at the same time.

H: Favourite scrubs colour/ pattern? Gray.

I: Favourite surgical instrument/ lab equipment (everyone has one, right?) I like the diamond burr (sp?). Using it to febrile an ocular ulcer provides much instant gratification. :)

J: Which was your most difficult exam ever/ so far? NAVLE takes the win!

K: Describe your studying style/ habits: I study cases now as I go. Anything that I question, I look up, whether it be reviewing anatomy or physiology. The basics always come around again and even though I may get the big picture, the details help me to cement thins in my brain.

L: All-time favourite vet-related book: I’m reading a book called “Chaser” right now about the dog who knows over a thousand words. It’s super interesting!

M: Greatest advice someone gave you: Never give up.

N: Favourite vet joke/ animal related pun: I find this humerus.

O: A word/ term that made you giggle when you first heard it: Sphygmomanometer

P: A word/ term that you found impossible to pronounce/ memorize: As simple as they are, I still have to stop and think when I hear “gluconeogenesis” and “glycogenolysis”.

Q: Describe the most problematic/ cringeworthy owner you came across: He had too much money. He kept every cat he came across. And he didn’t believe in euthanasia.

R: Describe the worst case you came across: A corrective shoe was put on a horse. The owner didn’t realize that it had to be reset every few weeks. The horse came back 9 months later and the foot had grown out enough to cause the musculature in the horses shoulder to morph. When the hoof was trimmed back to normal, the horse couldn’t walk so a thick shoe had to be placed so the horse could slowly adjust to the change.

S: Describe the most successful/ satisfying case or rescue: When I was a technician, I saw a dummy goal carried into a hyperbaric chamber…and he walked out after the session.

T: Describe the smelliest case you will never be able to erase from your mind: A dog was brought in for necropsy…after lying in the hot Louisiana sun for three days after it had died.

U: Describe a weird/ awkward/ surprising case or owner you encountered: A client came in with his cat. The presenting complaint was that “his cat was getting butt-raped”. The feline mating behavior had to be explained to him.

V: How do you “treat yo self” after a long day at work/ school? A shower and a good nights sleep as an intern is always a special treat!

W: How did your parents/ family react when you told them you wanted to become a vet/ vet tech? I was three years old when I said I wanted to be a “vegetarian” and no one in my family ever questioned my decision. :)

X: Have you experienced oppression/ racism/ sexism/ homophobia, etc. at the workplace? No.

Y: What vet stereotypes/ misconceptions/ offensive jokes have you encountered first hand? None this far. Maybe In lucky. I’m sure it will happen sooner or later.

Z: Have you ever regretted choosing this path? No. Okay, well maybe I questioned whether I could get through vet school. But I never questioned my calling.

[vetplease]

Cushing’s Syndrome

I have particularly fond memories of Cushing’s syndrome, as weird as that sounds. I remember being 15 and on work experience at a vet practice. I was so keen to learn as much as I could and on my way out grabbed a leaflet from their information rack. I sat at home eagerly soaking in all the details about Cushing’s, having to google half the words used! It’s amazing looking back on that memory, 6 years down the line, as I am sitting here, surrounded by notes and folders in my flat in Camden, tired after a day of studying for my second year vet school exams. Give me another few years and I’ll be treating Cushing’s!

Anyway, enough nostalgia! Cushing’s syndrome is the most common endocrine-related disorder in dogs. It occurs when the adrenal gland (the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland’s cortex to be precise) produces an excessive amount of steroid hormones known as glucocorticoids, the main one being cortisol. It is also known as hyperadrenocorticism. Here’s a diagram to show how the synthesis of cortisol is controlled in a healthy animal. The green arrows depict the mechanisms leading to the release of cortisol and the red arrows show how this cortisol can then prevent further release.

In Cushing’s syndrome, it can either be the pituitary or the adrenal gland itself causing the problem. The most common cause is a dysfunction of the pituitary gland which is, confusingly, referred to as Cushing’s disease. It can also be referred to as pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. In this case the adrenal cortex is overstimulated by increased levels of ACTH in the blood, leading to a marked increase in cortical cells. A way to detect whether it is an increase in ACTH that is causing the disease is to administer the animal with synthetic ACTH. If their levels of cortisol rise by an unusually large amount, it suggests there is an increase in the cortisol-producing cells of the adrenal cortex caused by overstimulation from ACTH, pointing to a dysfunction of the pituitary. This growth of the adrenal cortex can lead to the gland having an irregular surface with protruding nodules.

The disease can also be adrenal-dependent, caused by tumours of the adrenal gland and therefore an overproduction of cortisol. This is a lot less common.

Interestingly, the disease can also be caused by us vets! If we prescribe the animal glucocorticoids for another reason, for instance their anti-inflammatory effects, we can cause the adrenal glands to undergo atrophy (in other words shrink!), as they are no longer being used. This is because the steroids we have administered are feeding back negatively on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland telling the body we don’t need to produce any more. This reduces the production of ACTH and means the adrenal glands are no longer needed for this function. This is why you have to be careful when weaning an animal (or human) off their steroid treatments. Doing it slowly means the adrenal glands have time to build up their function again, whereas suddenly stopping the treatment can have detrimental effects.

Symptoms of the disease include, in dogs, thin skin, hair loss, increased urination and thirst (as cortisol interferes with ADH action on the kidney),  pot belly (due to an enlarged liver and abdomen and redistribution of fat reserves), panting, lethargy, muscle weakness and a reduced number of certain white blood cells in the blood. These symptoms all relate to the complex number of roles cortisol plays within the body, including immobilising fat reserves, storing glycogen in the liver and breaking down proteins.

I have already mentioned the ACTH stimulation test, however another way of diagnosing Cushing’s is to give the animal synthetic glucocorticoid. This, in a healthy animal, should cause negative feedback on the pituitary and hypothalamus, leading to reduced cortisol levels in the blood. If the animal’s hyperadrenocorticism is caused by an adrenal tumour, this negative feedback will have no effect on cortisol levels, as the tumour is producing cortisol independently of ACTH stimulation. If the disease is caused by a pituitary defect, there will be a drop in cortisol as expected, followed by a rise again as the overproduction of ACTH continues.

A common treatment in dogs is a drug called Mitotaine. It selectively destroys the zone of the adrenal cortex responsible for cortisol production, though the mechanisms as to how are still unclear.  Careful dosing can mean that enough of the cortex is left to produce a normal level of cortisol. Maintenance doses may need to be given. The problem with this treatment is that it supresses the body’s ability to mount a sufficient immune response in stress or trauma, meaning other drugs have to be prescribed alongside it.

Pituitary tumours can be treated with radiography or surgery.

[vetandready]

Very informative! Great summary of a commonly seen disease in dogs. Well done!

[gettingvetted]

10 Things that Make Me Happy

Tagged by @caitlinflavurd :)

list 10 things that make you happy, then tag 10 people to do the same

1. Kittens. I love cats so cats make me happy too I guess, but a kitten walks through the door of the clinic and I about die every time.

2. Having people ask me questions because they want my advice/knowledge. Most people ask me about sheep, plants, or fish because I am obsessed with them but more and more are asking me for vet advice because they know I want to be one/work in a clinic and I can normally point them in the right direction.

3. Pumpkin spice things done right. I.e., Oreos, poptarts, legitimate pumpkin pie. Starbucks PSL’s do NOT count. They’re gross. I liked pumpkin spice before it was cool, starting when I was 2 years old and I tasted my great grandmother’s pumpkin pie for the first time. :)

4. Wins in Hokie football/sports in general!

5. Lambs playing. LITERALLY THE CUTEST.

6. Puns. I love puns. Always. There is never a bad time for a pun. Bonus points if I snort instead of laugh.

7. When my manfriend does something really nice for me. Like make me dinner when I’ve had all the difficult clients at work and didn’t get out until 2 hours late and I have a pounding headache and I am 1000% done with all people on the planet and I want nothing more than to eat Cheezits and go to bed. He reminds me that good people do exist :)

8. When Pinterest crafting/decorating/food ideas turn out right!

9. When my plants that have flowers decide to grace me with a new set of blooms, and when my foliage plants decide to grow new sprigs of leaves. Like literally, I never change anything about my care for them, but sometimes they smile upon me and sometimes they’re like. No -_- … for months at at time.

10. When I finally “get” a new skill. Like crochet, or eating with chopsticks, or expressing anal glands. Literally anything that I have to work to pick up, once I get it right it makes me so happy :)

I tag @vetmedirl, @sideorderofbeef, @fortheloveofcows, @wineingvetstudent, @thegrumpyvetstudent, @hoodiesandjeans, @oopsiwanttobeavet, @thepreprevet, @ashleydoesablog, and @astressedvetstudent

[vetmedirl]

10 Things that Make Me Happy

1. baby animals - any cute little mammal will do

2. my best friends laughing

3. my spouse being loving and gentle and kind despite me being in a terrible mood

4. my perfect dog. 

5. farm dogs that adore you and can’t get enough love

6. seeing nature wake up in the morning

7. warm days with a cool breeze

8. the ocean. beaches. 

9. my family laughing at one another like old friends.

10. getting a sincere gift from someone unexpectedly

i tage @vettechadventures @equinevetadventures @allthingsveterinary @polyamberly @fur-scales-feathers-andtails @nico-forgot @sideorderofbeef @babygoatsandfriends @lady-feral @drferox

[drferox]

10 Things that make me happy.

1. Cats on Methadone. Healthy cats (eg for spey, castrate) sometimes enjoy themselves a lot. 

2. Newborn baby goats. That first day on the planet, they’re perfect. 

3. Licking the bowl after making brownies. 

4. Cat feet. I like to touch their toes while they’re sleeping. I’m not weird. 

5. That moment of realisation in a wild bird when you realise it, and it suddenly understands it’s free. 

6. Strawberry fillings in chocolate. 

7. Being able to surprise someone with genuine delight. 

8. Cloudy sunsets.

9. Waking up to find the boyfriend washed the dishes last night. 

10. When life works out the same way I would have written it if it was my story. 

Lets see if these tags work. 

@spiderkiss, @kisforkarol, @madhattie3, @venomoushana @survivorn0tvictim @cranialcruciatus @cpnchookum @seeingpractice 

and anyone else feeling game :)

[cranialcruciatus-deactivated201]

Oh this should be fun! I need to focus on happy things after the NAVLE today. Thank you for the tag @drferox!

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Chocolate. As Lupin said, “Eat, you’ll feel better.” 

2. The feeling & smell of a blanket fresh out of the laundry. 

3. The numerous fandoms that have slowly wormed their way into my life: Sailor Moon, Harry Potter, Supernatural, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, etc. etc. etc.

4. Reading. Who doesn’t love getting lost in an entirely different world for hours on end?

5. The smell of puppies & kittens. Seriously, smell their feets. Instantly lowers your blood pressure. I’m convinced.

6. Music. Any, all kinds. I constantly have music playing. If it’s not playing, chances are I’m humming or singing. I can’t get enough.

7. Making my friends smile/laugh. I love that I’m often considered “the funny one” of my social circles. 

8. When someone trusts me with a responsibility I had never been entrusted with.

9. Rainy days. 

10. How angry my family gets when I lick my finger & poke it into food to claim it as my own. #NoRegrets

@cacajao @vetandready 

@black-cerberus @veterinaryhumor 

@petwrestling101 @vegankeeper

@quadrupedie @vetraves

@iheartvmt @zoodvminthemaking

[vetandready]

Thank you for the tag @cranialcruciatus!! I gladly, er HAPPILY, accept!

10 Things That Make Me HAPPY:

1. Lists. Obviously this post had me from hello. I don't know why, but making and reading lists has always appealed to me. I even have a book called "List Your Self." It is the ultimate journal of my life in meticulously drawn out lists and it makes me so happppy!

2. Drinking coconut water. Like, the real stuff straight from a jelly. You may remember me mentioning this in previous posts. It is deliciously refreshing and so so happy good!

3. Thrifting. Is that even a word? I love finding a good deal, especially when it is reused, repurposed, or reanythinged. I think I used another made up word. Oops.

4. Antiques. They have so much character and scream, "I have a story to tell!"  I love their eeriness and that they hold a mystery from years ago. Sometimes I feel like I should have been born in a different era so I could be surrounded by these gems.

5. My biggest fan. I haven't quite figured out who that is yet. But knowing there is someone out there rooting for me brings a smile to my face. I'm not popular or famous but every day I have a biggest fan and that makes me happy.

6. Clean sheets. The key to a good nights sleep. When the sheets are freshly clean, they don't wrap me up like a burrito. When I'm not a bed burrito, I sleep like a rock. When I sleep like a rock, I wake up happy.

7. Acts of kindness. I enjoy gifting these but I supercalifragalisticexpialidocious love seeing others show random acts of kindness. It rekindles my faith in humanity.

8. Receiving compliments. Who doesn't love getting a good compliment?! Whether it is that I smell nice, or that I'm smart, or that I can cook an awesome meatloaf, or all of the above, it just makes me happy. Especially when someone compliments my outfit and I can say, "I got it on a thrift haul!"

9. Instant gratification. I am a sucker for it sometimes. Passing an NG tube on a horse, changing the oil in my vehicle, or when the dog child's anal glands are expressed (gross, yes). Maybe my definition of instant gratification is a little wonky. Idk.

10. *Sappy alert* The husband. He is so good at making me smile, taking me thrifting, buying me antiques, and putting up with my terrible habit of leaving random drawers and cabinets open, among other things. He is my happy in human form.

My tags: @tesshollidayofficial @hourglassandclass @colorguardcrzy @vetplease @veritou412 @itsybitsyvetstudent @inklinedflowers @mazthespaz @magaloops @dearfabel

[cotton-corn-biscuits-blog]

This Is Me

Hello!  My name is Hailey Chambers and I am a Senior Anthropology major at Troy University.  I am starting this blog as a requirement for my Reporting class and hopefully it will become a medium I can utilize in any future career.  Not only will I be able to inform you on events occurring around the world, but I will also be gaining knowledge, which will help me gain a better understanding of cultures throughout the world.  

Since I am an Anthropology major my main focus for my blog will be news and topics related to my major.  Anthropology is defined as the study of cultures or the study of variation and evolution of cultures.  This can include world events that will possibly shape the progression of a new subculture or perhaps a focus on food orientation according to geographic location.  Anything you don’t understand will usually have a hyperlink to a definition, story, or other informative source. 

Keep reading

[vetandready]

^^^ My seeeeester....of whom I am very proud! ^^^

[vetandready]

Happenings at Large Animal Receiving

I commented on the wilting flowers displayed in a vase on the counter, "They look so sad!"  One of my receptionist friends working up there replied, "It is a reflection of you leaving us. It's like Beauty and the Beast. When the last petal falls, you become an intern." Here's to my last day on clinics, and vet school. Ever. ‪#‎beautyandthebeast‬ ‪ #‎vetandready‬ ‪ #‎ilooklikeasurgeon ‬‪#‎ilooklikeaveterinarian‬

[vetandready]

"Now it doesn't matter why, but I am friends with some alligators."

[vetandready]

Baby Vet

Since moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to pursue my clinical training at Louisiana State University, I have had little extra time to write about my journey. After all, the clinical year is full of late nights, early mornings, and days that seem to never end. This trains us veterinary students for what is to come and what is expected of us.

I've read many articles touching on the overworked vets, the underappreciated vets, the vets who charge too much, and the vets that don't seem to care enough. It forces me to think about the veterinarian that I will become...that I choose to become. I think,

"Will I be good enough?"

I chose a career that puts me in servitude for the rest of my life. I will be a doctor. I will provide helpful, healing services to my clients' animals.

It also puts me at the mercy of others.

In five short weeks, I will no longer be a student of veterinary medicine. I will wake up the morning after my last day of clinics, and suddenly be a doctor of veterinary medicine. It blows my mind. Yes, I said "suddenly" because that is how it feels. Yes, I feel adequately trained, and yes, I am confident, but at the same time, I'm terrified. Why? Because people can be harsh when things don't go the way they anticipate. Because all of a sudden, I am a doctor and I am expected to have all the answers.

Well, the fact of the matter is that I will not have all the answers. 

I must remind you that I haven't spent four years in professional school learning how to treat one animal...your dog...your cat...your goldfish. Instead, I have learned how to develop a problem-oriented approach to medical problems on many different species, using the knowledge I've gained about their inner workings. Each pet is an individual.

Believe me, sometimes I wish they all were the same, responded the same to treatments, and all had a positive outcome. However, each one is unique and special...and can't tell me all about how they've had this itchy, annoying cough for about four weeks now, with an occasional dry heave on top of that. Or about how you accidentally left forty hair ties out and they decided to eat all of them and now they feel like they have an intestinal obstruction.

I humbly ask that while I am serving you, please:

1. Be kind. When it seems like you've spent a lot of money on diagnostics and I still don't know what is distressing your pet, please don't be angry with me. I am really trying my hardest to figure out what is going on so that I can fix the problem.

2. Be patient. Unlike people, your pet can't tell me what it is feeling. I will have to do a thorough physical examination and run a few tests to even get a small glimpse of a clue as to what is ailing your pet.

3. Be understanding. You may not realize that the forty hair ties that suddenly went missing are in your pet's stomach. You may think you have the answer to why they are feeling unwell and want me to do things your way, but you have to understand that this is sometimes a puzzle that we will have to work out together.

4. Be forgiving. When I make an incorrect diagnosis or I simply don't know what is wrong, please forgive me. It isn't because I'm stupid, lazy, or unqualified. It is called "practicing" medicine for a reason. And, the puzzle is sometimes difficult to piece together.

5. Be helpful. I may ask you a million questions that you don't think are relevant, but I promise I'm not doing it out of amusement. Your answers will help steer my approach and ultimately, help your pet. Also, show up on time so that I can use my time efficiently in order to best care for your pet.

6. Be open. When I make a suggestion, please try not to judge me against "Dr. Google." I promise to give you all of the educated options for you to make the ultimate decision about how your pet is treated. All I ask is that you are open to receive this information and trust that I am doing my best. Remember, you chose to come to me for my professional advice.

You may find out that I am a baby vet when I first start practicing and think that these are reasonable things to ask of you now. However, I must urge you to continue these six things throughout my career. As long as I am providing this service to you and your pet, I will only continue to thrive if you grant me your kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness, helpfulness, and openness. Give me these six things and I will always strive to be better than "good enough."

  Photo used with permission from the owner.