Anaesthesia

Wow those 2 weeks went quickly! We covered so much in a short space of time that my brain had problem processing it.

Equine anaesthesia was so quiet with only 2 horses the entire week, so we spent our time enjoying tutorials! Two a day for the entire week covering a range of topics such as blood gas analysis, farm animal anaesthesia, drugs, emergencies and breathing systems. The days weren't too long, but very intense. On the Friday I placed my first IV cannula in a horse though! Very excited. Got it in first time without too much hassle - the are much easier than in a sick calf.

This past week has been small animal anaesthesia, and it was hectic. Often non-stop days from 9 until 5, and later, where we put the theoretical skills from the previous week to good use. It's a busy service, and at times can be slightly dull, but there are moments of total chaos that make up for it. All of my patients survived too, so can't have been doing things too badly.

Next week is the start of equine, and I'm dreading it. It's not something I enjoy, and the idea of covering the intensive care ward at the same time as being on medicine rotation doesn't fill me with joy.

Nursing

A new challenge this week - professional studies. We get assigned a section of the hospital and follow people around. Either nursing, pharmacy, reception or finance, and I got nursing.

For the most part I really like nurses, and have several really great friends that I've either worked with or know from various places who are vet nurses. They do an amazing job and are highly skilled.

Unfortunately this week has been very quiet in the hospital meaning we haven't actually done much! Most of my days have been spent studying for next week or chasing up radiologists for the scans I need. It's been fun though. Made some new friends, learned some new things, taught some things too. Must get on with creating cake for them for Friday.

Next week is equine anaesthesia. Watching an unsteady half-ton animal wake up from a general anaesthetic is just scary.

5 Months

There are only 5 months until graduation. Things are seeming rather more scary now and real. I've started looking for jobs, and should probably start revising all the rotations from last year fairly soon.

We had to teach the 4th years this week on radiology. They knew quite a lot, but we were all amazed about how much we knew. My knowledge seems to be coming together with everything linking - history, radiographs, blood tests all come together to form some kind of diagnosis which has various treatment options with it, plus all the side effects of those treatments. It's really quite scary at times!