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!