Six(ish) weeks into school and a ton has happened already! My 24th birthday, a few too many late nights in Aggieville, bowling with half of my classmates, super bowl party, learning how to do a electrocardiogram on dogs, dissecting a pigeon, goat, and sting ray in addition to the pony we're dissecting in anatomy, spent some time in the cardiology department (watched an echocardiogram on a German Shepherd with sub-aortic stenosis)...so much more has been learned and experienced and I love every minute of it!
Speaking of cardiology, my parent's dog Hershey was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy/left sided heart failure. My mom told me that he was acting strangely and coughing, and then suddenly collapsed. They rushed him to the doctor and took radiographs and found his heart to be irregularly shaped, and found fluid in his lungs. Later in the day my parents had an ultrasound/echocardiogram done to confirm exactly what was going on. He is now on a combination of three medications and they say he should have another 1-2 years. My heart basically sank when my mom initially told me what happened, because when I left my parent's house in Florida I was so worried about Rhyley (she doesn't do too well on planes) that I forgot to hug and kiss the dogs goodbye. I hope I can see him at least one more time.
On a lighter note, yesterday I spent some time with my 4th year mentor who is on his dentistry rotation. I watched him sweat over canine and carnassial extractions (those roots are huge!) and then got to do a tooth extraction myself. I also sutured up an incision. I might be obsessed with suturing now. Two main things contributed to my obsession with good suture technique. When Rhyley had her abscessed microchip removed, they completely jacked up her incision and left a scar. So I've promised myself I will do everything I can in the future to make incisions look nice for my clients. Also, the doctors I worked for in Orlando showed me how rewarding a good suture can be. There is just something about seeing that incision basically disappear in front of your very eyes when you develop patience and excellent techniques. I love it!
But there is something that lies ahead that I am even a little more obsessed about - I get to dissect a SEA LION on Monday!!! Wanting to go into aquatic animal medicine, there are not a whole lot of opportunities for me here in Kansas. So getting to do something like this is so exciting! On the same subject, I've found some pretty amazing internship opportunities with marine mammals this summer. I'm in the process of completing my applications, so fingers crossed that I am accepted to one! I want this so badly and I am ready to work my butt off for it!
Before I go: if you have yet to see these awesome underwater dog photographs, I highly recommend you click the link!! My personal favorite:
