Revisin

It goes badly. For some reason equine and exotics doesn't seem to be sticking too well. Probably because I never actually intend to go anywhere near a horse in my professional career, and definitely never plan to operate on one.

Ah well. Back to it.

Blood

Most people have problem finding sheep veins, especially in larger breeds such as Texels. My personal problem is finding calf veins. Still!

This time around I've found plenty of sheep blood (even in a small lamb), dog, cat and cow blood, but still no luck with the little calves. Perhaps it's because they are dehydrated or just wriggly. I need the practice, but it's difficult to justify catheterising a calf with decent veins.

I've been reliably informed we don't have to do anything like this in final year, or for our final exams. I just feel sorry for the first sick calf I have to look after on my own.

Another Week

Another week of EMS, more fun stories about the various "oh shit!" moments and stupid mistakes I've made. Thankfully not too many this week except for some pretty terrible bandaging and covering a vet in cold drip fluid. Ooops.

Despite washing every day (go me!) I seem to always smell of cow or sheep and miss a spot of blood/poo on my arm or my shirt. In fact I've scrubbed up so many times over the past few days my hands are starting to take offence and are in desperate need of moisturiser!

Moment of the week - getting an IV in a fat dog with crap veins first time. Doesn't matter that I missed in a cow with veins the size of a hosepipe, the dog was a good shot.

After on call tomorrow there are a few days off (!) which so far I haven't filled with climbing. There will be a puppy walk on the beach, buying of some climbing gear and maybe time sleep if I'm not too busy revising.

EMS Again

So I'm back in Wales once more seeing a variety of cases in both small and large animals - which is probably a good thing as we have a large animal practical exam after easter!

The trip down was fairly long, but not too much hassle. Then the real work started. So far I have:

Killed a sheep. She was toxic and going to die anyway, but still not optimal.
Made a HUGE hole in a dog's leg.
Examined various eyes, ears, noses and, of course, bums.
Only been covered in blood once.

Apart from the dodgy sheep start everything is OK at the moment. I need to write up my technique book before I forget everything! Not tonight though as I'm on call and may just go to bed whilst I can.