Volunteering at VET SOS in San Francisco

The morning began early for the VET SOS crew. They loaded up their medical supplies and appeared at the Plaza behind the San Francisco City Hall wedged between the Bill Gram Civic center and the Asian Art Museum. I met them at 9AM and helped put the tents up to shelter the volunteers and animals that would be coming through the clinic that day. As soon as the tents were up and the medical supplies unloaded, we brought patients in to be seen by the veterinarian.

The organization, VET SOS is an organization offering veterinary services to pets of the homeless in San Francisco.  It was a great opportunity to see a similar program to the Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Homeless in Sacramento. I learned a lot about their clinic and how they run their show. They have several clinics each month in different areas of San Francisco and offer veterinary services to the homeless pet population.

http://markrogersphotography.com/pets/links/

I got paired up with Dr. Durfee who has been a long-standing volunteer at VET SOS. We made a great team tackling many different cases. We saw both cats and dogs and were even handed a SNAKE to examine! I enjoyed working with Dr. Durfee very much and he had a lot of knowledge to share having been in practice for over 50 years as a veterinarian. 

A Rainbow Boa Snake that came in for a health certificate

This particular VET SOS clinic was paired with Project Homeless Connect, offering a variety of other free services to the homeless of San Francisco (Eye, Dental, Medical care, food, etc.).

For more information or if you would like to donate: VET SOS Website

Advice for High School Students pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine

"I am 17 and a junior in high school in Knoxville, TN. I have always had a love for animals and I've dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since I was in elementary school! I have shadowed at my local veterinary hospital and volunteered with animal rescue groups. What advice do you have for a high school student wanting to pursue a career in this field? I know that I still have another year before starting my undergrad in pre-vet, but what can I be doing now to ensure I have the best chance possible to get accepted into veterinary school? Also, any idea what jobs are typically offered at animal hospitals for my age group? Any advice would be much appreciated! This is my dream and I am so motivated to do anything possible to make it happen." 

First off, way to go on getting started early! That is the first thing you can do right! The second is figuring out what part of vet med you like the most, do you like working with dogs and cats or horses or farm animals, or even lab animals. And keep in mind those are not your only options, just the most common. There are many other choices out there.  Keep your options open, try a little bit of everything!

I think you should focus on looking at colleges to go to. Keep in mind, junior colleges are much less expensive to go to than state schools and harbor a much more "personal" learning environment. Visiting colleges both undergraduate and veterinary is a great idea right now. Consider that veterinary school is very expensive, so if you can save any money on your road there, I would take that opportunity! 


As far as a job in a veterinary hospital right now, I would suggest applying to clean kennels and walk dogs. I know it doesn't sound that pretty, but we all have to start somewhere. I started mucking stalls (that horses lived in) when I was 11 years old in exchange for board for my horse and riding lessons. Eventually your experience pays off and you can move on to more advanced things, like maybe learning some technician skills. 


Also, think about volunteering with local Shelters and rescue groups, they have a wealth of animal experience that you can gain. In addition, you are also helping animals!

UC Davis Vet Aid Club Blog! A place for prevets to get information!

Before applying to veterinary school, I was part of the vet aides club at UC Davis. It was a club designed to get pre-vets experience and information about veterinary school. I heard they recently started a blog and wanted to share the link with any pre-vets that might read my blog and be interested. 

Blog:

http://vetaideclub.weebly.com/blog.html

Their website: 

http://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/aes/vetaides/index.htm

You Look Like an Equine Vet

 

Since I started riding and first met the ranch equine veterinarian, I've wanted to be one. I can remember begging my parents to let me stay out at the barn if a horse had any medical issue such as colic, injury, giving birth, etc. 

During our doctoring course, we did a practice client-veterinarian interaction. I of course picked the horse scenario. I had a client actor pretend that she was presenting her horse to me for a persistent lameness. I handled the interaction very well and my course/session leader was flabbergasted by my performance. She said, "You look like you're an equine vet." It just felt so natural to me, the terminology just flowed and you could really see my compassion. 

I know these are just client simulations, but her statement really impacted me. I honestly believe her, I feel destined to become an equine vet because of my experience and passion for horses. 

 With the economy the way it is right now, I worry about my future entering into veterinary medicine as a starting equine veterinarian.  It is difficult to find work. My possibilities are much more limited. Most people can't afford to keep horses as they have turned into more of a luxury item rather than a necessity. 

The charts below show a dismal future for equine veterinary medicine. As a starting veterinarian, my salary is likely to be about $40,000. This isn't much when you factor in a $200,000+ education that cost me four years. 

I'm not regretting going to veterinary school at all, I know it's my destiny, but I am considering majoring in Small Animal/Equine to prepare myself adequately for my future in Vet Med. We will see where my path takes me. I love small animal medicine as well and quite honestly would be willing to help any animal on this planet I have the ability to help. I think the following data is just something to think about. 


2009 Earnings for Veterinarians (before income tax): 

http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/usvets.asp

Mean First-Year Salary for Starting Veterinarians: 

AVMA

LINKS:

http://veterinarybusiness.dvm360.com/vetec/Veterinary+business/Can-discounts-work-for-your-equine-practice/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/600457

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=18992

Article in DVM 360

LINK TO ARTICLE


I was contacted by a DVM 360 writer in response to a blog post I wrote earlier this year about graduating veterinary students entering a tight job market. Here is part of the article below:

"Krissy, who will be starting her second year of veterinary school this year at UC-Davis, is already taking a hard look at the job market and trying to prepare herself the best she can. While her passion is equine medicine, Krissy says she is so worried about finding a job after graduation, she is also taking courses in small-animal medicine. 

"I have to make a living somehow. The debt we're supposed to have is roughly $200,000 and how are you possibly going to pay that back?"

"I think there's a big disconnect between the students and the schools. I wish the universities would do more to help us out," she says. "They're investing more in the future generation, but they're not here now. Why not help the people who are struggling now?"
Krissy says she suggested UC-Davis institute mentorship programs between recent graduates and current veterinary students at the school, but nothing has taken shape yet. There are few resources in terms of job placement and career guidance—or at least that students know about and regularly use, she says. 

Students who want to round out their education may have to look beyond university borders to professional groups and student organizations" 

I'm just now thinking I should try to implement a mentorship program with our graduating seniors this year. Maybe I could have them fill out a google doc anonymously reguarding if they are employed, perusing an internship/externship or don't know what they are doing. More to come later on this hot topic!

Alternate Majors and the Road to Veterinary School

I recently received an email from a blog reader who posed some really great questions about applying to veterinary school. Since my blog is aimed at helping pre-vets, I thought I would share her questions since I'm sure she is not the only one out there who wants answers. 


"I did not major in the sciences (I majored in Sociology and Psychology). In my last year of college, I met a vet student and she encouraged me to carry out my life's dream of being a veterinarian. It's always been something that I wanted to do, but I never actively did anything about it because I was too scared of failure. I remember speaking to an Animal Science adviser my freshman year and she said that I had to get straight A's. My senior year, I joined the Vet Aide Club and got internships at the VMTH. Through these internships, I realized that I really do want a career in veterinary medicine! The internships introduced me to a world that I absolutely loved--it was challenging but really exciting. It was nothing like the experiences I received in my other non-veterinary internships! After graduating last year, I moved back home and I have been going to a local community college, getting my lower division prerequisites for veterinary school. I feel like I have no help here..the counselors don't know anything about grad schools, let alone vet schools! I know it's nearly impossible to get in, but it's my dream and I really hope to get in one day.. I'm doing the best I can, but it's hard because I don't know if I'm doing enough." 

Concerns:

Many veterinary students did not major in Animal Science or a Biology related program, one of my classmates was an English major. You only have to complete the prerequisites for veterinary school. It is often appreciated by the application committee that you have a more unique background than other applicants, but the important thing is they want to know why you decided to pursue that. What inspired you about psychology and sociology in the first place and steered you that direction rather than Animal Science (and the reason can't be only because you feared the prerequisites for veterinary school). Then they want to know what steered you back towards veterinary medicine? You seem to have an excellent explanation for that! You realized your true passion and calling through internships. I went to Davis and still didn't feel like I had a lot of help from the advisers. I would recommend making your own game plan. Visit the UC Davis Veterinary School Website and really read through every part of it, use it as your encyclopedia!    

Questions:  

"How do I balance going to school and getting experience?"

This is a tough one, it can be difficult to work and go to school, but it is possible. I did it during my undergraduate career and from experience I know it takes persistence and a lot of your free time. I think in your situation, you need to focus first on your coursework, since you are heading back to school for additional courses (and I'm not sure what your GPA was when you graduated), but you should get at least A's and B's in the prerequisites for veterinary school since you are only taking those. I would pace yourself through those difficult courses, like don't take more than (3) a semester. Give yourself time to have a part time job or volunteer getting animal experience.

"What type of experience that I should be getting?" 

This website has an amazing breakdown of experience types that veterinary school admission committees typically look for: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/prospectivestudents/experience.aspx


"I have a lot of small animal experience, but not a lot of horse experience, how can I get that?"


I would recommend volunteering at a therapeutic riding center near you. It's difficult to start getting horse experience if you don't know anything about horses, but you can volunteer at an animal sanctuary or any kind of farm really, but I feel if you get a diverse range of small animal experiences, you don't need the horse experience, although it would be nice. Putting only several weekends of experience with horses won't really make much of a difference especially if you want to enter into small animal practice anyway. http://vetschoolinfo.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-get-veterinary-expierence-and.html
  

Two weeks Back

As the second week of my second year in veterinary school comes to an end, I look back on all I have learned in my first year and have yet to learn in subsequent years. I have accomplished 1/4 of becoming a veterinarian. I remember when I was only excited to complete 1/12. I must realize that I still 75% of my education left to go, but the first year went by so very quickly! 

First year laid down the basics for what is to come in my veterinary career. Second year material is more clinically oriented, while third year is more hands-on clinical. 

I think one of the coolest things about this year is getting a "little sib", a first year veterinary student that can come to me with any questions/concerns and whom I get to pass my gigantic test file down too. (Trust me, I was more than ready to get rid of that thing). I met my little sib years ago in an undergraduate course when we were both still dreaming of going to veterinary school one day. She is really sweet, smart and will make an awesome veterinarian. When I was notified that she requested me, I was happy to see her again and find out she too had achieved her life-long dream of becoming a veterinarian.

I recently moved closer to school, very close in fact and am getting settled into my new place. Rent is not cheap for a one bedroom apartment so I have planned to off-set the costs by offering housing to externs that come to rotate through clinics at the VMTH. It's great, cause I live so close and they can easily walk or bike to the clinic or the grocery store. Also I am very excited to meet people from other veterinary schools inside and out of the US. 

I like how second year is starting off with the equine nursing courses (at least for me). I already got to put a catheter in a horse's jugular vein! 



Many of my friends, colleges, and family wonder how I balance my busy schedule...full time student, part time job at the horsie hospital, out of town boyfriend, MERCER coordinator, feral cat spay clinic coordinator, equestrian, equine medicine club secretary, etc, etc...and the list goes on. 

Truly, I don't know how it all seems to fit for me, but I do know that I really enjoy all of it. Somehow, my wheels just keep on turning round and I get through it all. 

I try to make the best use of my time when I do have it. For example, this summer, I took a lot of "me" time to relax. And school hasn't taken it's toll quite yet, I got to go wine tasting in Napa this weekend with my boyfriend and friends. I feel studying looming over my shoulders, but it hasn't quite become the reality yet. 


I look forward to making some awesome blog posts this year, so stay tuned and let me know what you would like to hear or have answered.

Neurology/Neurosurgery Service Summer Clinic Experience

http://www.ecvn.org/

This summer, I participated in ONE summer clinic. I was very selective on which summer clinic I wanted to do mostly because I really wanted to focus on working at my job as a technician in the Equine ICU and also get in some R&R over my well needed summer break.

I selected the Neurology/Neurosurgery rotation for my summer clinic. My experience in this service went above and beyond my expectations before I started. I learned so much and got to work next to some really amazing residents, faculty, colleagues and technicians. 

Summer clinics are offered at UCD every summer to give veterinary students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the teaching hospital.  It's really a glimpse into what you will experience during your entire fourth year of veterinary school.

This “summer clinic” experience really throws you into survival mode simulation of your fourth year of veterinary school. Students are given patient responsibilities such as nursing care, and maintaining medical records. There is never a time when students are unsupervised, as they are guided by knowledgeable residents, faculty, and extraordinary veterinarians. The goal of the clinic is to follow patients all the way through a diagnostic work-up and immerse yourself in helping that animal return home to be more comfortable and live a better quality of life. 

When you hear hoof beats....think horses...

http://www.rdsvs-horsesociety.co.uk/4.html

What to Expect: Volunteering at a High Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic

A wonderful question from a blog reader: 

There will be a spay/neuter clinic at the MSPCA next week that myself and some members of the pre-vet club I'm in will be attending. I've never volunteered at one of these before, but I'm excited to get involved! I know you participate in these clinics a lot, so I was wondering if you had any advice on how to prepare, what to bring, how to really get involved, etc?

And you are right, it is kinda tough your first time when you don't know what to expect! I'm sure you know, but wear scrubs, you'll probably get dirty! Things I would bring: pens (2-3), watch with a second hand for monitoring respiratory/heart rates, a stethoscope (only if you have it) if not I'm sure they will have plenty there. Bring a snack/plenty of water, these things usually provide volunteers with something, but I never rely on that just in case I bring something like a granola bar.  

As far as what to do at the clinic, first I would remember to take initiative, people will be busy and can't always give you a job, for example if you see something that could be cleaned, go ahead and do it, they will REALLY appreciate it. Try to avoid standing around if you can, get your hands dirty and ask questions. Ask if there is anything they need help with. There are many different positions they might put you guys in. Like sugery prep, monitoring during anestesia during surgery, monitoring recovery, etc. The thing to remember is that they will teach you everything you need to know to help them, they do this a lot with new volunteers. Another big thing is if you have a question, don't be afraid to ask, there are NO stupid questions especially when it comes to your and the animal's safety. 

The experience is what you make out of it! Take initiative to help/ask questions and you will learn a LOT! That's all I can think of right now, also document the volunteer hours as Veterinary hours for your vet school application! If you get a chance, introduce yourself to the vets who are volunteering at the event (obviously when they aren't busy) and thank them for their time, then tell them you are a pre-vet and see what they say, a lot of them love to talk about their pathway to veterinary school which is very helpful information first hand from someone who did it! 

http://www.innocentenglish.com/funny-amazing-pictures-videos/cute-kitten-puppy-animal-pics/caption-cute-kitten/caption-this-cute-kitten-pic-1.html

Finishing my First Year!!! And summer plans...

So I had my last freshman veterinary school class yesterday. I can't believe it's already been a year! I feel so honored to be here, so proud of myself and my classmates for getting through the first year! We can now call ourselves 1/4 doctors. The fourth years graduated today, I bet it's one of the best days of their life! 

This summer, I plan to take it easy, make some blog posts to help more prevets, and just enjoy my summer. That doesn't necessarily mean that vetmed is out of the question. I will still be working at the equine ICU this summer, I have a couple trips/camping trips planned, and I got a summer clinic (2 weeks) in neurology at UC Davis. I also have my friend's wedding in Capitola, I am so happy for her and so fortunate to be in her wedding.

I have a lot to look forward to this summer, like seeing more of my family and spending more time with them. Also hanging out with my wonderful and supportive friends. I hope the summer doesn't go by as fast as first year did, I want to relish it! 

Is there a veterinarian shortage in rural animal practice?

The US economy is suffering, this is leading to problems and saturation of the job market for recent graduates (from all types of educational background). With the rise in tuition, and decrease in available jobs, it is a scary place for anyone pursuing a college education these days, let alone financing one! 

According to the American Association of Bovine Practitioners' (AABP) Ad Hoc Committee, there is no shortage of veterinarians in rural food-supply veterinary practice! I was shocked to hear of this report, because for years, the AVMA and other veterinary organizations have stated the growing need for food animal veterinarians.

In an email from one of my colleagues, they say, " I can tell you from personal experience that jobs are very tough to find.  The class of 2011 is all but graduated, yet I would estimate that only about 50% of those who are food animal track have secured employment-and its not for lack of trying."

Their opinion is reflected in the DVM360 news article (link below): 

"In fact, creating an 'over supply' of food supply veterinarians will lead to widespread unemployment or underemployment of food-supply private practitioners and will have a significant detrimental effect on salaries for all veterinarians. 

We do not want to flood the rural practice market," Navarre says. "It will have an impact on the entire veterinary job market. If graduates can't find jobs in those areas, they are going to be competing with other students. And, we need to ask ourselves, do we really need to increase the overall number of veterinarians in general -- not just rural practitioners?"  

This is an emerging issue and a hot topic among veterinary professionals. If veterinary schools increase veterinary school class sizes, will they flood the job market with new graduates? Another issue, is their thought of increasing the amount of out of state applicants accepted to veterinary schools, this is an even more absurd idea to solve their current budget crisis. Out of state tuition is very expensive and may bring the school more revenue, but may it lead those students to go bankrupt and on top of that also be "job-less"? We really need to consider our plan for this downfall in the economy and think of other ways to solve our economic issues.  

Links to More Information:

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Report-Rural-vet-shortage-exaggerated/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/724093?contextCategoryId=47831


http://www.aabp.org/

http://www.avma.org/fsvm/fsvmc/default.asp

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=18590 

http://www.free-online-veterinarian-advice.com/new-veterinarians-face-tough-job-market.html

Veterinary Students save German Shepherd!

We have enough money for Bogart's surgery now! They raised the $4,600!!! Thanks to all the donors/students that contributed! 

Davis, CA - The following story highlights the best of humanity. A dog named Bogart was taken from the Sacramento City shelter to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

The dog was to be neutered by a member of the class of 2012 - but while he was at the school, the students discovered that he was suffering from pain in his hips.

An exam and radiographs revealed the sad truth - Bogart was suffering from severe hip dypslasia....

Hip replacement surgery is very expensive - when the city shelter learned of Bogart's disease, he was put on the euthanasia list for the following week.

But the students at UC Davis weren't about to let that happen - the surgeon that performed his neutering surgery - a student from the class of 2012 - rushed to the shelter and adopted him.

Now, the UC Davis students are raising funds to pay for Bogart's surgery - which of course, will be performed at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Today, May 11, the students are throwing a luau to help raise funds for his surgery.

Bogart is going to get what he needs to feel good once again - these students rallied together to literally save his life. These are the young adults that we need and want out in the professional work force - caring and compassionate individuals that rise up when needed.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Veterinary students rally to save German shepherd - National German Shepherd | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/german-shepherd-in-national/veterinary-students-rally-to-save-german-shepherd#ixzz1NWWh9PLR

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Charging for Student Facility Use

Since when did public universities start charging their students in excess of tuition for use of public educational facilities for educational professional events? 

Well the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has resulted to that in this economic time, faced with  a $500 million cut — or more — from state funding.

Here is the official letter that veterinary students received from the administration. 

Here is my response to administration:

As a veterinary student at UC Davis SVM, I have greatly benefited from the symposiums, seminars, and events held in the veterinary school facilities. I feel that charging a fee for future facility use will decrease the ability for students and doctors to gain future access to knowledge. As it is with the economy the way it is, clubs are already having difficulty funding club events, seminars, etc. If this new "fee" is implemented it will only further inhibit clubs and organizations to offer such valuable events for the veterinary community. I feel as though we pay for tuition, which includes facility use. Inhibiting us from utilizing our own facilities by charging a fee that some clubs may not be able to afford is ludicrous. I understand the need for clean-up after events and building repair, however with any amount of use, the buildings will inevitably need repair regardless of facility use by seminars, symposiums, etc. I feel if the concern is more about clean up after events, then why not charge a deposit and give detailed cleaning instructions and expectations and if those are met following an event, return the deposit to the club or organization hosting the event. The value gained through these educational experiences (club symposiums, events, etc) more than outweighs any amount the university would receive for charging these fees and I feel as though access to adequate facilities and higher educational opportunities should always be included in a graduate (professional) college experience. I know that many clubs thrive just by the events they are able to host at the veterinary school so that they can earn money to fund future club events and educational opportunities to club members. If a fee were imposed, especially a fee of $80/hour per room per HOUR, I think it would be unlikely clubs would be able to host events at the UC Davis Veterinary School campus. I chose to go to UC Davis because they offered such invaluable learning opportunities AT their very own veterinary school.

Also, the bit about the buildings being in use for 10-12 hours seven days a week is fallacious. This is not the case for ANY of the instructional classrooms. I have been in homeroom on weekends to print things or study or even to check my mailbox and the entire valley hall is almost vacant except for an occasional student who is also studying in the facilities they pay tuition to use.

I feel these "fees" for facility use are a detriment to my education and I am insulted that the university would jeopardize the career we are entering into  which thrives on collaboration, the pursuit of knowledge, and the heart of the true meaning of the veterinary community.

After my letter was received, I met with the administration on several occasions to discuss this issue and was told there was nothing I could do. So I wrote an article in the school paper addressing the similar arguments in my letter to the administration. Many students feel powerless under the eyes of the administration, or I believe they are too busy to really even fight for student facility use. I do believe they care, but feel that there is nothing we can do as students. Some students haven't even heard about it and are shocked when they learn about it.

This is OUR veterinary school, we sure pay a hefty amount of tuition to go to this school, we should be able to fully appreciate the benefits of our professional education, which undoubtedly includes facility use.  
 

In the UC Davis Guide for Prospective Students I found this statement, "Since 2004 the school has completed six new buildings, including a teaching laboratory, a two-story classroom complex and a five-story multipurpose facility as part of a $354 million long-range facilities plan to modernize infrastructure and provide the best learning environment for students. School officials continue to develop public and private support for programs and facilities that will help to meet California’s growing need for veterinarians." 


I believe these facilities should provide the best learning environment for students and students should have unlimited access to use of those facilities.

I hope that veterinary students understand that WE do have the ability to stand up against our administration on such prevalent issues. If you have any comments/suggestions/ideas please feel free to comment. I am wondering if other veterinary schools in US have similar costs associated with hosting symposiums and CE events. 


Thank You for reading

LINK: http://campus-care.ucdavis.edu/facilities-management/who-pays-for-maintenance.shtml

Live Your Passion as an Equine Veterinarian

Video about the profession from the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practioners)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl8hxCLPGqM

Class of 2015 Admission Statistics

 

 

Equine Herpes in California

Warning to Horse Owners:

There have been at least 2 confirmed cases of equine herpes-1 (EHV-1) infection in horses that competed at the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championships in Utah. Some horses were transported to another show in Bakersfield immediately following and became symptomatic for EHV-1. Because of the presence of EHV-1 in the community, we are taking every precaution to prevent EHV-1 entry into the general hospital.  Every horse admitted to the hospital is being tested for EHV-1 and full biosecurity precautions are in force during the next few weeks as necessary. 


Equine Herpes Virus is a common virus of horses world wide, and can cause respiratory disease, abortions, and less commonly neurological signs. It is transmitted by aerosol and close contact between horses, including fomites such as shared tack, equipment, and human hands. There are vaccines currently available for the prevention of respiratory disease and abortion caused by EHV, there are currently none available for vaccination against the neurological form of the disease. 


Precautions: Please contact your veterinarian if your horse may have been exposed to EHV-1 at either of these shows or through contact with a horse that has returned from these shows. Exposed horses should be isolated and have their rectal temperature taken twice daily. If fever develops, they should be tested for EHV-1.  
Written by: Gary Magdesian

For additional information, please refer to the following sites:

Resources:

California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory:

http://www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu/

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu/> 

UC Davis Center for Equine Health:

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/ehv1_general.cfm

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.vetmed.uc davis.edu/ceh/ehv1_general.cfm> 

Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Brochure

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs...herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf> 

CDFA Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Fact Sheet

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS...pdfs/EHV-1FactSheetSept2010.pdf

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/pdfs/EHV-1FactSheetSept2010.pdf> 

USDA Resources

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/> 

American Association of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/con...s/Equine%20Herpes%20Virus.pdf

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Equine%2520Herpes%2520Virus.pdf> 

Learning new things

Everyday I am learning new things (go figure a veterinary student learning new things!). But this week at work, I got the opportunity to learn how to drive the fork lift! I know, sounds kinda crazy and strange, since I know how to drive a car, but the fork lift is nothing like a car. And to make things more complicated, when driving the fork lift, there is usually a big muck cart attached to the back. 

I learned some very important lessons in my 3-4 hours of learning how to operate the fork lift. My co-worker that trained me has been working at the VMTH for many years and has a large breadth of  knowledge to offer me. Sometimes I wish I could just tap her brain and know everything she does, but I have to learn it a little bit at a time from her. 

The most important lesson I learned was that I am my own worst enemy. As I was learning how to back up the cart into a parking space with the fork lift, I would make drastic movements with the steering wheel when I was trying to avoid jack-knifing or going over the parking space lines (which were supposed to represent a barn)...lets just say if it had been a barn, it might not have remained standing after I was done with it. Anyways, until I learned to train my mind to communicate to my hands that I only needed to compensate for the movement of the trailer a little bit, I struggled and became very frustrated. My co-worker sat on her stool with her arms crossed shaking her head. She was like the wise woman that was trying to teach me a great lesson. Finally after seeing me fail to accomplish the task three times in a row because I was making the same mistake, she came over and turned off the fork lift. I told her maybe I'd had enough for the day and we should do fork lift training another day. She smiled at me and said, "well maybe, but do you realize what you are doing?" I shook my head and said, "I'm over-correcting, I'm not that great at this!" She said, "you know what, you are your own worst enemy, I hope you'll be a better vet than you are at learning how to drive a fork lift." That stung a little bit cause I felt like I was REALLY trying. I was so frustrated, but I took a deep breath and said to myself, "I can do this!" My co-worker fired up the fork lift and said, "give it another try, watch your wheels!" she said over her shoulder as she walked back to her perch on the stool. 

Something in my mind clicked, I had been over-doing it entirely...by just looking at where my cart was going, when I finally took a second to look at the wheels on the fork lift, I saw a pattern...I was finally able to park the muck cart without taking down the imaginary barn. I couldn't believe it, why had I sat there beating myself up when I hadn't researched every option?  I think this is a very common occurrence among veterinary students. We get our minds going down one path of diagnosis, but then when that is proven incorrect, we back-pedal as fast as we can to go down another road of diagnosis. However, if we had just considered a broader range of diagnosis in the first place, we might not hit so many dead ends and we will be able to think through each potential diagnosis carefully. 

I never would have thought that learning how to drive a fork lift would teach me such an important lesson. I'm sure it won't be the first time I experience it, since I am so strong minded I will probably forget this very important lesson. But I hope I think about it every once in a while...

 

Sometimes in life, you get a RE-DO

I will be the first to admit to my blog readers that I'm NOT perfect. I struggled through my first Renal Physiology Exam on body fluids. I actually didn't pass it, I got 67%. The examination policy for the course states that any part of the exam with a score of less than 70% must be re-examined. 

I think this is a wonderful grading policy for many reasons. I was not at my best that day I took my exam, I actually had a large bout of "test anxiety." I had studied the material, but found it difficult to piece together. On the exam, I froze at some of the questions, I knew the material, but something inside me made me feel like I didn't. To top it off, I actually ran out of time on the exam, which has never happened to me in any veterinary exam. I wasn't the only one though, there were several people turning in their test as our next professor was preparing for the following lecture. 


Thankfully, I met with the professor to discuss my poor results on the exam. I told him that grades are important to me, however, what is more important is that I understand the material so I can become a great veterinarian. I told him that I would like to meet with a tutor a couple times and become more confident with the material. Then he pointed out in the syllabus that any score below 70% required a re-test in any portion of the course. As you may assume, I was very upset with myself for my low exam score, but thankfully I had a chance to make it right and could only better understand the material. 


Within one week of the exam, I re-took the exam (not the same one, but strikingly similar) and I was much more confident in my knowledge about the material and sound in my choice of answers. 


I think it is often difficult to stick what we learn in our veterinary curriculum into a multiple choice format. It is also difficult for every professor to adapt to all their student's learning and test taking styles. 

All I know that someday when I am a practicing veterinarian, my patients will not come with choices A,B,C,D, or E, they will be puzzles that I must piece together through my physical exam findings, patient history (from owner), and presenting complaints.

I think what I have learned from this experience is that I just need to do my best and trust myself, have confidence in the knowledge I spend many hours studying and trying to comprehend. Don't get down on yourself because you struggle, that won't really help you overcome it.

Dream Big! But know your true self!

Spring Quarter is Winding Down

This quarter has gone by so fast, we're down to three weeks left of classes and one week with 4 finals. That's right, somehow we went from like 9 classes to only 4. We're left with immunology, parasitology, renal physiology, and hematology. Plus my two electives, small animal radiology discussion and the equine neonatal course. 

Overall it has been a great quarter, I have struggled in one of my classes (I'm not perfect), but have really excelled in others. I really enjoy immunology and parasitology. Hematology is very interesting as well, learning all about blood can be really fun. Plus, these three courses overlap with one another! They have a lot of material that overlaps, like blood smears, the immune response, immune cells, etc. 


I have experienced a lot of new things this quarter, I've been able to work and attend classes. I love my job in the equine ICU and work with a lot of wonderful, very knowledgeable people who have the patient's best interest in mind. I am learning a lot!

I have taken new opportunities to be a leader for the Mercer clinic (treating pets of the homeless in Sacramento) as well as becoming a coordinator for the Coalition for Community Cats feral cat clinics in Sacramento. 

I think the scariest thing so far this year has been in passing the second year students in the hall. Their spring quarter is really tough, they all are taking many classes and have so many tests! I heard they had five exams in three days. They all look very tired and it is just slightly scary that I will soon be in their shoes.  

If any of you pre-vets are looking for experience, try the UC Davis Summer enrichment program: http://sharonostermann.blog.com/2011/05/10/pre-vet-get-experience-at-uc-davis-with-the-summer-enrichment-program/

 I wish life was this easy!

Getting Experience Shadowing a Veterinarian

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I just got an email from a pre-veterinary student at UC Berkley, she asked me what to expect when shadowing a veterinarian and how to go about finding a veterinarian to shadow. She had some wonderful questions and I wanted to share the answers I sent her with my blog readers or any pre-vets out there. 

What is "shadowing?"

Shadowing is a great opportunity to learn what veterinary medicine is all about. You will have the chance to directly observe what a vet's daily life is like. You can see if veterinary medicine is something you would be happy doing as a career. You can learn a veterinarian's personal opinions on all types of things ranging from their experience in veterinary school to how they manage a healthy life/work balance. It definitely depends on the clinic (every single one is different) you will have to find one that works for you. I think it would be a great idea to shadow several different types of veterinary practices and see many types of medicine. 

What Should I bring when shadowing a vet? 

As far as what to bring, I always brought a very small (fit in my pocket) notepad and two pens (I often managed to loose one of them by the end of each shift). I jotted things down that I wanted to read about/google later. Or if the vet/technicians ever shared any words of wisdom, I wrote that down too. It also comes in handy if you need to write a list of things someone asks you to retrieve or asks you to do several different things. You can write them down to be sure not to forget anything. Other things I can recommend from personal experience: water bottle, granola bar or lunch if needed, but having a bit of something to eat on hand helps even if you think you'll only be there a couple hours, something interesting might come in the door and you DO NOT want to be stuck without food. Learned that one the hard way :) Power Bars can really make all the difference in that type of situation.
Bring a stethoscope if you have one, if not don't worry about it, the vet will have one. It really just makes you look cool if you have one, you will have to get one eventually if you are really interested in veterinary medicine. If you bring it, don't be afraid to use it! Tell your mentor you have never used it and want to learn how, they will show you and the more practice you get with assessing vitals, the better. Also bring a wrist watch with a second hand or seconds capabilities! They are useful for taking heart and respiratory rates as well as telling the vet what time it is (They usually appreciate someone having a watch if they forgot one that day). 

What do I expect to do at my shadowing experience besides following the vet like a lost puppy?

As far as what do you do besides follow them around like a lost puppy is an excellent question. How do you know what to do or expect? I think it's like anytime you start a new school or job, you have a bit of anxiety and excitement that can be scary at first. Shadowing is an important experience in deciding if you want to pursue a veterinary education. 

I would try to ask a LOT of questions (when appropriate, i.e. not when they are busy or in front of a client, etc., use your judgment) but vets love good questions and NO question is a stupid question. Act interested even if you aren't entirely interested, your interest and concern for all aspects of the clinic really please the veterinarian and make it look like you are so lucky to be there.

I would also recommend to really learn to appreciate the veterinary technicians that work in the clinic. You can learn a TON from them and if they like you, they will be more willing to let you do things/teach you. If there is any down time, I.E. you are not seeing patients, it is quiet, etc, offer to clean or if anyone needs help with anything. I've done filling to mopping and let me tell you, the clinic really appreciates it, especially if you take the initiative to find things that need to be done. 

"How should I go about finding a vet to shadow, should I "cold-call" all the vets in the area and how should I present myself since I don't have any experience?"

Instead of cold-calling, I might print some resumes and a quick cover letter and pick several (maybe 5-6 veterinary clinics that really interest you in your area). You can read about prospective veterinary clinics by seeing if they have a website online or by reading YELP, but take YELP with a grain of salt since ANYONE can post on there and often the true story is not always portrayed. 

I would highly suggest you actually visit the clinic instead of "cold-calling" because this has many benefits:

1) you get an idea of what the clinic atmosphere is like (i.e. is the lobby clean, do waiting clients look happy, what is the customer service like, is it somewhere you could see yourself learning/working etc.). What kind of area is the clinic in? 

2) Talking to them in person is much more personal than just calling and shows you really do want a job/shadowing experience there. 

3) you will get practice presenting yourself and your resume

A cute story about wanting to become a veterinarian...

 

Paradise?

Although graduation is still three years and 4.5 weeks away for me, I have been procrastinating studying by finding possible externships and exploring veterinary career choices.

I just can't help but think ahead, it keeps me going to classes and enjoying life, frankly in the midst of my non-clinical years of veterinary school. Lectures can become really dry with limited clinical application and I am always seeking more information after lecture on how I will somehow assimilate all this information on anatomy, physiology, and pathology, etc. and apply it to an actual patient or clinical case. 

I often find myself discouraged when I don't do as well as I had hoped on an exam. Somehow, the veterinary school curriculum makes you feel that if you don't achieve straight A's, you won't be a good veterinarian. I think that is VERY wrong, but I can't help but think I have failed or let myself down by missing questions on exams. I need to remember that part of that learning is making mistakes and trying again. I think it is much better to do this on paper than on a real clinical case. But in real life, clinical cases will not be an exam, I will be able to collaborate with colleges and have the ability to utilize resources in all my cases.

I recently was exploring the American Fondouk website and found a blog of past visitors of the Fondouk. I felt I should share it on my blog because it is inspiring and thought provoking all at the same time.

 Epilogue from Dr. Biros' 2009 Visit

"I have signed each correspondence on this trip “From paradise” but have in my own mind struggled to define exactly what paradise means. Is it having everything you want? Is it a place where there is no suffering and no one has a need for anything? At first I thought I was being a bit romantic; after all I was visiting an exotic place where there is a need for the services that I can offer, that is to help sick animals without asking for anything in return. I soon realized that Fez is a wild place filled with life, death, emotion and action everywhere you turn. The Fondouk is only a small part of that, but it is a part that cannot be taken away. To me, paradise is not the utter fulfillment of one’s desires and the absolute elimination of every bad thing; rather it is the act of giving and receiving, exchanging our gifts to one another no matter how great or small. Paradise is ensuring that we are an active participant, to the best of our ability, in this sometimes crazy world and consciously soaking it all in along the way. No matter how one defines paradise, I feel that part of the definition is the wish for paradise to endure."

http://www.mspca.org/americanfondouk/about-us/blog/day-7-april-27-2009.html

On The Fence

Some days in veterinary school can make you really want to do something else with your life. I don't know why, it is difficult to explain, especially since I grew up knowing I wanted to become a veterinarian. Why would I want to give up living my dream?

It is very difficult not to be hard on yourself when you do something wrong or don't do as well as you had hoped. You feel like the world is against you sometimes. 


Life largely involves studying, sleeping, studying more and attending classes and taking exams. 

There are hard and easy days in any life/profession. I'm still learning how to cope with those hard days and am so happy that I have so much love and support surrounding me. I know I can live my dream and become the veterinarian I've always wanted to be. I just have to be tough, and dive in head first. I think that is what part of vet school is, learning how to overcome difficulties and hurdles (which have been along my whole road to veterinary school). 

My new motto: work hard, work harder, and then work your hardest. Don't let anyone make you think you are not capable of achieving your dreams, especially yourself!