Thursday, July 9, 2009

VetSim - Day 3

Today at VetSim was all Animal Sessions.

Another 9am start but this time with Parrots and Macaws. They were all rescue parrots and the man did a talk about them, about how to care for them and followed by a quiz to see what information we'd retained. Some of the things were really interesting, like did you know there are over 300 breeds of parrot!

After Parrots we moved onto Skunks & Meerkats (from the same place as the parrots, again from Birmingham!).
There was a group of 4 Meerkats all in a run, plus a baby and a male with 3 legs in a different cage. They again were rescued animals and we were allowed to stroke the male but not hold him because he can be vicious with other people. Other people held the baby and she was ok with strangers, although she did nip one person.The skunks were passed around and didn't smell as bad as I was expecting, a bit like a wet rabbit. The adults had their scent glands removed, but a law was passed 2 years ago banning it, so the baby was still entire. After that we went over to Large Constrictors, there was a smaller one which was passed around and we tried to auscultate to hear to its heartbeat. Then the bigger one came out and we held it and put it over our shoulders for a photo. It was really muscly, much heavier and stronger than I expected. Next up were Eagles and Vultures which were awesome! They are all fed on cockerel chicks coming from the commercial hatching industry, but had their yolk sacs removed because they are high in calcium and I guess fat.

We went and had lunch then went to the Snapping Turtles. We were taught how to handle them, draw a triangle from the back legs to the middle of the back and that's the only place you can touch them as they have long necks and bite. You pick them up by the tail and support underneath.

Afterwards was Canine Blood Bank, which I didn't know existed; dogs donate blood which can be used afterwards by vets in patients needing blood transfusions.
I had to leave early and miss the next session (Elephant Conservation) because I had my Vet School Mock Interview. I think it went well and I could answer everything she asked me - she said it was good, I was confident and that I had well thought out answers.

I was back in time for Anatomy which was impressive. The lecturers described the differences in different animals as well as different breeds within them and problems we as humans have created for animals, for examples the breathing of Pugs and Boxer dogs and birth of Bulldogs.
It was awesome to see the Anatomy Labs at Nottingham Vet School. There are rails and pulley systems on the roof for hoisting large animals onto dissection tables, all the walls and floors were waterproof so they can be hosed down after dissections and it all drained away quickly.

Some people left at 5pm but the rest of us who were staying had dinner at the university then went and started the optional extra Marine Mammal Medic Course.
It was all lectures today with Biology Of Cetaceans and Seals, Cetacean Strandings and Seal Rescue - they were all given by staff and volunteers from the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue).

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