The Game Fair with Clydach Farm Group

I've been working at The Game Fair at Ragley Hall this weekend with Clydach Farm Group who produce and sell a range of poultry and dog feeds.

The company is owned by Callum, an old friend, and has gone from strength to strength over the last few years; mainly due to the results they've been getting. It's all made with ethically sourced British meat which is something lots of people were interested in over the weekend.

The feed is all hypoallergenic and they have a grain free dog feed diet which is 50% meat and 50% sweet potato which is easy to digest.

It was great to speak to the public about what they're feeding at the moment any any concerns they've been having.

We saw some interesting intolerances and allergies as well as lots of cute puppies!

I decided I need to order one of these even though I don't have a dog.

Week 2 of Mixed Practice at Straiton Veterinary Hospital

My second week at the EC Straitons Veterinary Hospital has been even better than the first.

Now that I've got to know all the staff and learnt where things are kept, how procedures are done, I've felt a lot more useful and learnt more from it.

On the other hand, now that they know me, I've been able to do more too.

Whilst I didn't get to do any surgery I learnt loads of practical skills, especially placing catheters to take blood and giving intra venous injections. While we are taught these skills in vet school and able to learn in practicals, you don't really get a feel for it until you have a go and regularly practice; even little things like which size catheters to use in different patients.

I saw several TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) and TCT (Tibial Crest Translocation) surgeries which are often done as referrals, I got to understand the procedure and equipment used so was sterile during the surgeries to pass the surgeon kit and suture material. I was also able to position for x-rays before and after the surgery so I could really see the difference.
As they do orthopedics on a regular basis there were several post-op check consults which meant I saw a whole range of cases, from pre-surgery to 6 weeks post-surgery.

Being a Mixed practice I had hoped to get out on some farm visits but due to the time of year and staff holidays the farm work has been quiet, apart from routine TB testing which is done all year.

I saw a few horses that came in to the hospital for lameness evaluation and radiographs.

They have a great wireless digital radiography system which they use for equine work which is portable and means x-rays can be taken and viewed immediately (1.9 seconds) on a HD tablet for diagnosis and taking of further views as required.

They provided me with a glowing reference and invited me to go back next year so I'd like to return in January or Easter time when there will be more going on with the farm animal side, especially lambing!

Mixed Practice at E C Straiton

I've just finished a two week placement at EC Straiton & Partners Veterinary Hospital in Penkridge and had a great time. They are about 40 mins from home but my nearest mixed (small animal, farm and equine) practice and have a great reputation so I booked the placement 18 months ago.

The hospital has 13 vets so a very busy practice, from new grads to vets who have been with the practice 37 years!
Everyone was great and made me feel really welcome. The vets would ask my opinion on cases and medicine, so whilst I wouldn't always know the answer they tried to get me to think logically and then explain why they'd use certain treatment. Of course the next time a similar patient presented, I was able to explain possible treatments, using pattern recognition.

The hospital is built around what used to be an old farm yard so it took a few days to get my bearings but the layout is great and works really well for the team.

It's been sweltering this week, pushing 33oC on Tuesday so unfortunately we had a dog come in with heat stroke which died; just goes to show the importance of not leaving dogs in hot cars, even 'just for 5 minutes'.

So promise me one thing.

"Now I know it seems scary, but you have worked so hard to get here. What is the point in putting so much effort in to get to a place you are too stressed and worried about to enjoy?

So promise me one thing.

Once a week, on your way to work, just take 2 minutes and think how long you’ve wanted to be where you are right now.

No matter what is waiting for you at the surgery and no matter what happened last week… you’re a vet [student], and that is seriously cool."

This article from recruit4vets really struck a chord with me recently so thought I'd share the final paragraph.

You're a vet student, and that is seriously cool.

Source: @RoryTheVet