VLA

I undertook work experience on the 26th and 27th May at the VLA lab in Bury St Edmund's.
The work experience I undertook here was very different to what I was used to and was successful in showing me a completely different side to the veterinary profession but obviously hugely important part of it.

I watched diagnostic tests done in the lab and was lucky enough to undertake some of these myself. I was able to use Agar plates and broth solutions to grow bacteria from a supplied sample and to see if any problems were present; E-Coli, Respiratory Issues and Mastitis were all found.

I was also able to watch a Ewe and Lamb post mortem from a very close proximity - enough to smell everything anyway! I watched the way that the ewe was dissected and how each piece of information provided the investigator with a way of finding out how the ewe died. The initial conclusion was asphyxiation. The lamb was suspected of dieing from lack of colostrum which it was explained to me is essential as it contains energy, protein, antibodies, minerals, vitamins and water. I was able to make slides from the ewes organs that would be used in further tests to confirm the cause of death of the ewe.

I spent a little time in the administration part of the VLA and was able to see how vital effective communication is between clients and the lab aswell as between labs. This is mirrored in how good communication is a vital part of being a vet.

I really enjoyed my time at the VLA and this has opened up a part of the proffesion I didn't know much about and spured me on into learning and finding out all about the different things I saw while at the VLA.

Week at an Equine Clinic

April 6th-9th 2009
I spent a week working with 2 vets within a successful equine practice in Norfolk.
I spent minimal time actually at the practice and most of my time out meeting the clients and their equines and watching the vets work with them.
Some of the cases I witnessed were:

• Routine vaccinations and their importance. The vets explained that much of their time was spent on these vaccinations and other preventitative measures such as checking teeth. The vaccines admistered were: Tetanus and Influenza.
• Several equine castrations done at the clients own premises and the vets explained the desisions they must make and how they make them such as when to castrate, whether the horse should be brought into the clinic, if there are likely to be post-surgery issues (i.e- a very hairy horse --> more chance of infection), the age to castrate, any problems with the surgery etc
• A horse who had a consistent cough even when not in work and watery discharge from the nostrils. The vet showed me how you could see the horse in trouble while breathing as you could see an increase in movement of the ribcage. She also let me listen to the horses breathing where I could distinctively hear a wheeze during inspiration and see the nostrils flaring. The horse was diagnosed as having COPD, and the treatment was to come of hay and go onto haylage and also to have the horse living out to see if that helped.
• A horse owner who had decided that euthanasia was the option for her horse and I saw how the vet dealed with the lady in an empathic yet proffesional way.
• A horse where a twitch had been left on for too long causing the horse to fall severely in its stable and damage nerves. I saw the horse 3 weeks after the accident when the owners where still contemplating euthansia.
• I went to a suspect colic of a pony who was restless, not eating their food and kept laying down. The vet showed me how the gums often change colour for colic from pink to grey/purple.
• A horse with a puncture wound to the hoof (sole of hoof - foot). A nail had penetrating through but had missed the frog. The vet removed the shoe as this was caused pain to the horse and poulticed the foot.
• A horse with lice
• A mare 6 hours after giving birth. The vet layed out the placenta out and talked to me about the importance of ensuring its all completely out otherwise a serious infection can follow quickly. She said how the placenta looks like a Y shape
• Horses that had been tied up on land without any water. Water was provided and the horses were checked over to ensure they were well. This showed me the importance of working together as for this case vets, an equine sanctuary, ILPH and the RSPCA were all involved. Communication was key
• Sedating a large group of RSPCA horses for the farrier.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience with the 2 vets aswell as talking to me about each case they gave me a real insight into the job with the goodpoints and the bad. They also said they would welcome me back if I wanted to do more (I am calling nearer christmas to get some more W.E)

A week at a small animal practice...

Small Animal Practice:
After a short introduction and health and safety briefing I assisted the ward nurse. I carried out observations with the veterinary nurse and noted things such as temperature, pulse, respiration, capillary refill time, demeanour and water intake. This allowed me to see behind the scenes of the job of the veterinary nurse and how important co-operation is between the veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons. This was shown in greater depth when I sat in on a vet meeting and ward round where the information on each patient was shared.
Today a dog was admitted with suspected canine parvovirus. It had severe diarrhea that was dark, vomiting, dehydration, lack of energy and a fever. As parvo is a highly contagious disease, the dog was put in isolation on a separate ward and contact was only made when necessary to minimise the risk of parvo to the other dogs on the wards.
I witnessed routine spays in theatre where I learnt all about sterilisation and surgical kits. As well as the use of drapes (different colours) and anaesthetic gases. I learnt that an induction agent is needed for every procedure as well and an anaesthetic circuit and surgical kit. I packed surgical kits of different sizes and learnt about the use of bowie dick tape. The pulse oximeter was explained to me and as well as the use of a capnography in surgery. I was taught about the use of a premed injection that contains a sedative, a drug to dry up saliva and a drug to keep them sleepy. This practise normally uses ACP, Atropine and Pethaline and Vorocane. The premed injection prevents stress and the need for excess anaesthetic.
On the wards there was a fitting dog who was admitted. The ward was made dark so that the dog felt safe and secure. After being left for a few hours like this with observations the dog recovered well.
Throughout the week, I observed more theatre operations including spays and a hip arthroplasty. The need for this operation was caused by arthritis in the bone of a older Westie male who had become slightly lame on one leg. I was also able to sit in on some vet consultations where I witnessed routine vaccinations of dogs, cats and rabbits as well as different problems seen in dogs and cats such as an abscess, a wound on the pad of a cat where the skin had been completely torn off. I saw how the cat had been when it was 1st brought in to how it was after 6 weeks of treatment. There are a remarkable difference.
I was lucky enough to be able to witness work in the lab at the practise and see how blood tests where carried out as well as view and identify different parasites under the microscope. Throughout the week I saw more operations in theatre- more dog castration, abscess removal and also the insertion of a feeding tube for an anorexic cat. I helped out in the office of the practise and this allowed me to see how a practise operates and communicates with their clients as well as being able to see the general running of the practice and administration side of it. I was able to witness a cat being scanned after blood tests showed no reason for her lethargy.
My time at this practice was extremely useful and interesting and I have been told I will be able to return next year for more work experience.

Searching For Work Experience...

Work Experience

I have applied for work experience at various vets in norfolk, dairy Farms, poultry and other livestock farms, zoos, physiotherapists, behaviourists, RSPCA, DEFRA, VLA and others.

I have had a few offers turned down. The RSPCA at the wildlife centre in West Winch won't take me due to insurance laws. I have applied for work experience at the RDA and have an interview early january. I also have an interview for work experience at Mill House Vet in Kings Lynn january 3rd. I have completed and returned application forms for Hillside Animal Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare. I have an offer of experience the Cats Protection and also at Banham Zoo.

I have emailed various zoos including Hunstaton Sealife Sanctuary and Twycross.