Schowe

Name: Devan Schowe
Guiding Question:

//Would I want to pursue a career in veterinary science in the future?//
(optional) Use this space to list possible activities, tasks, experiences. Remember everything you do should help you answer your Guiding Question.

//Observing surgeries, emergency/general checkups, patient interactions, general care, research, shadowing vets/vet techs//

(Required) This plan is a “best guess” as to what you and your mentor think you will be doing. It is not meant to be a hard and fast schedule for your Exploration. The plan should illustrate how you intend to complete a minimum of 80 hours.

//Location: Windcrest Animal Hospital // //Mentor: Karen Gustafson; Treatment Room Supervisor //

Plan of Action Revisions: Instead of 20 hours for Major Surgeries: 25 hours Instead of 20 hours for Minor Surgeries: 25 hours Eliminate both Walking dogs/Misc. animals and Cleaning cages/general areas activities
 * = Date ||= Location/Activity ||= Number of Hours ||
 * = 5/13/11 ||= ICU surgeries ||= 20 ||
 * =  ||= Major surgeries ||= 20 ||
 * =  ||= Minor surgeries ||= 20 ||
 * = 6/3/11 ||= Patient/checkup observing ||= 10 ||
 * =  ||= Walking dogs/misc. animals ||= 5 ||
 * =  ||= Cleaning cages/general areas ||= 5 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= 80 ||

Journal: 1. So far, observing shifts at Windcrest has been amazing. I have gotten to actively observe everything I had originally wanted to see, including surgeries, general practice procedures, doctor/owner interactions in a check-up setting, and the methods/devices used to keep everything in the hospital's database organized. Both my mentor and the surrounding techinicians and doctors have been ridiculously helpful in informing me as to what is going on and why. Although the shifts become very chaotic sometimes, I have always been able to ask questions; and the technicians, surgeons, and doctors have been more than willing to answer them in great detail. As far as my guiding question goes, being able to observe the behind-the-scenes action in the hospital has given me great insight into all aspects of my question. I have discovered that although I may not prefer to practice in the future in the small animal realm (as much as I do enjoy it), I would definitely like to practice veterinary science in the equine realm. Even if I do not become a veterinarian, a veterinarian technician would also be a very enjoyable profession. More specifically, I would love to be a surgery technician, who monitors the animal during surgery in addition to supervising the surgery procedure as well. Overall, it has been an incredibly satisfying experience so far!

As far as my plan of action goes, I have been fully able to participate in activities that satisfy both the projected time requirement in addition to the projected activity itself in most of the activities listed in my original plan of action, including observing major surgeries, minor surgeries, ICU surgeries, and check-ups. I have not, however, been able to participate in the more physical/active activities such as cleaning cages or walking dogs. I have found that both the doctors and technicians would prefer me to have a more observant role rather than an active role due to my experience level compared to the other technicians and interns currently working at Windcrest. I fully understand that the employees are constantly on a very time-dependent schedule, so tasks must be done with the highest efficiency possible. Despite the slight change in my plan of action with the elimination of two of the activities I had originally planned to complete with my mentor in the beginning stages of the exploration, I am very satisfied with the outcome. I think it was more effective for me to have an observant/student role at Windcrest, because that way I could fully commit to absorbing as much information as possible to understand as many aspects of the veterinary world as possible, instead of concentrating on less significant tasks.

2. Although experiencing a portion of these events before at my New Bolton Center volunteering, some intense situations at Windcrest that can result in a life or death outcome continue to surprise and expose me to the gravity some decisions can have. For example, observing both euthanasias and failed attempts to save animals in need has shed an entirely new light on the realities that veterinarians must constantly confront. Executing such important decisions that impact not only the patient's life but also the owner's life and the veterinarian's life carries a tremendous amount of responsibility that I am not sure I could ever be prepared to endure. These tragic experiences have led me to question whether or not I would be able to accept and maintain these responsibilities that come with this type of profession. Similarly, I find myself having difficulty grasping the concept of playing God in a future profession, and I wonder if I would realistically be able to handle making these life or death decisions that can impact so much.

3. Tomorrow, June 3rd, is my last day observing at Windcrest. As I reflect on the experience as a whole, I am amazed at how much I have learned. Having never had pets in my house growing up (mom's allergies), I learned a tremendous amount about not only the medical aspect of the veterinary profession, but also the caretaking aspect as well. To highlight some of the knowledge gained throughout this exploration, I have learned about symptoms, diagnoses, medications, testing procedures/analyses, cost estimates, routine check-up procedures, doctor/technicians' daily schedules, animal-handling techniques, exotic animal care, and general care procedures. I have learned that a work schedule in the veterinary world is always long and chaotic with very little time off your feet, but simultaneously very exciting and fulfilling.

Day 1: 5/13/11 -Observed neuter surgery on male dog -Observed ultrasound on dog (hound dog mix) with heart worms -Observed a second ultrasound on dog (Chinese Crest) with heart disease and possible tumors -Observed urine gland examination and expression on dog -Restrained dogs during x-ray prep -Comforted/distracted animals having minor procedures done (catheter applications/withdrawals, anal gland expressions, vaccinations) -Observed catheter removal/applications, vaccinations, blood chemistry tests/analysis of test results -Observed electronical computer system/database of patients- colorcoded -Goose and dog euthanasias -Observed post-surgery recovery procedures: check vitals including heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature (every 15 minutes) -Observed surgery tool clean-up procedure

Day 2: 5/19/11 -Observed anal gland expressions -Doberman emergency patient- observed emergency examination procedures, including checking the capillary refill time in the gums, check for vitals (including learning how to check the pulse at the thigh), full-body examination, possible diagnoses of liver complications due to jaundice-like symtoms -Learned how to analyze the lyme disease snap test; many dots indicate a positive diagnosis, one dot indicates a negative diagnosis -Saw heart with heart worms, bladder stones, testicles, eyes, ring/round worms, and tapeworm samples extracted from previous patients -Catheter appication/removal -Observed check-up visit with a golden retriever puppy and his owner; patient interaction -Observed nail filing on a black lab -Observed weight recording -Observed ear cleaning on cocker spaniel -Observed routine vaccinations, including rabies vaccine -Learned about the cost estimates of surgeries, procedures, check-ups, and vaccinations -Observed grooming on a hostile Shih Tzu -Observed temperature being taken -Observed tick test on poodle -Observed the non-routine surgery of removal of anal glands on a Chihuaua -Observed emergency visit of a westie that injested marijuana; gave the dog a pill through the eye (more mucus membranes in that location as opposed to oral administration), pills induced vomit, analyzed vomit, ran blood tests to ensure no abnormalities

Day 3: 5/24/11 -Observed blood pressure and pulse being found/taken with doppler radar -Observed x-ray prep/positioning: measure shoulders, set machine to correspond to measurements, assemble plates that indicate where the x-rays are illustrating -Observed vaccination administration (rabies) -Observed laser therapy treatment on 11 year old cat: performed to increase metabolic rate of cells in cartilage to accelerate healing process in damaged cells -Observed patient check-up with bird: nail clipping, feather clipping, possible diagnosis of respiratory infection/disease due to panting during exam/medium-long recovery time after panting began; Dr. explained reasons for why this diagnosis could occur to the patient: air polllutants/toxins that cause respiratory infections in birds, including Teflon, pot pourris, scented candles/cleansers, poor air quality, bacteria (allergens and molds in elevated levels) -Observed vets' analysis of respiratory infection in bird with microscope -Emergency visit: pitbull hit by car: body checked over, possible shoulder dislocation, respiratory/heart rates taken, gums/eyes examined, administered pain medications/fluids, x-rays taken to diagnose complications -Observed x-ray analysis of pitbull, no dislocations/fractures, but questionable air sacs in lungs. Possible fractures on face -Urine test: tests for amount of glucose in blood, liver function, and concentration/diluteness of the urine (if levels are elevated, could mean animal has diabetes) -Observed toe clipping of dog -Observed urine test on cat: extracted directy from bladder through the cat's abdomen (a standing urine test cannot be performed on cats) -Learned more about computer database/system for hospital: S.O.A.P. is performed for each patient when they come in, meaning Subjective (what owner observes), Objective (what vet observes), Assessment (tests done to confirm/deny what owner/vet observes), and Plan (actions performed to address final diagnoses) -Observed patient call in/check-in on animal- Karen reviewed the dosage of medicine, improvements/regressions, if additional side effects are occurring, plan for next check-up, nexy check-up date is confirmed with owner -Learned more about mentor's job: Karen supervises the treatment book and prescription refill book, cross references owner's directions and treatment book's directions to ensure accuracy of situation -Learned more about standard procedure/jargon to assess each patient's status; W.N.L. means within normal limits, B.A.R. means bright and alert -Observed ringworm test: pluck hairs from infected area, place in dish, if color change occurs, test is positive for ringworm -Observed cat ear cleaning -Learned more about standard daily procedure: 8am and 8pm checkout/signoff list; took out trash, cleaned misc. areas, charged technological equipment for next day -~10,000 total animals in Windcrest's database -Standard procedure: send out sympathy cards to all euthanasia patients, all Doctors and technicians sign -Wrote pet names on blood samples -Observed euthanasia-discussing phone call (Karen explained the procedure, an overdose of an anesthetic, then options of cremation or cedar box with name plate when procedure has been completed) -Observed paw prick for diabetic cat- checked blood-glucose level, same procedure as a human diabetic

Day 4: 5/26/11 -Observed 4 surgeries: dog spay, feline liver lobectomy, german shepard ear hematoma (removal/drainage of blood from ear), and exploratory surgery on golden retriever: found rope-like object in intestines -Observed surgery tech's preparation before surgery: cleaning/disinfecting areas around and on patient -Observed Dr./technician's discussion before spay surgery: discussed decision-making/influencing details for surgery to be performed (dog was in heat, so it would be a higher-risk surgery due to excessive blood and bulging/inflamed organs) -Observed thyroid blood withdrawal on cat -Observed physical therapy and laser treatment/therapy on pitbull hit by car 2 days ago -Distracted pitbull during each treatment by playing with her, petting her, restraining her if necessary -Observed exam on beagle: some of potentially harmfull dermal mass was extracted, stained, and examined under a microscope to determine if the mass is dangerous -Observed vaccines on rottweiler

Day 5: 5/27/11 -Observed growth removal surgery on pitbull -Observed canine spay with laser on yellow lab (burns skin on contact point, more expensive than regular surgery, but drastically decreases bleeding/damage because it seals blood vessels after contact) -Observed feline dental examination/tooth extractions/cleaning (includes tartar removal and polishing) -Observed surgery recovery procedures/area with yellow lab and cat- check pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, maintain warmth, flip positions every 15 minutes to avoid collapsed lung(s), check reflexes in ears, eyes, nose, to decrease wake-up time, attempt to wake patients up by rubbing, patting, speaking, getting them to stand/walk -Observed a second spay on a Shih Tzu with a traditional scalpel (done through the Delaware spay/neuter program, which includes no fluids or catheters, so is a higher-risk procedure with a more difficult recovery time, but is decreased in cost) -Observed aftermath of DE spay surgery on Shih Tzu in recovery- due to lack of catheter, dog became restless and opened internal stitches, so had to undergo surgery/anesthesia for a second time for repair -Observed blood being drawn (under tail) and weight being taken from iguana named Iggy -Observed ureteral catheter application in a westie, who suffered complications after a neuter surgery gone wrong and was unable to urinate on his own

Day 6: 6/1/11 -Observed nail clipping/shaving on hamster -Observed anal gland expression on pitbull -Observed anal gland expression on rottweiler -Observed emergency patient- pitbull hit by car: was administered fluids, dr. listened to chest, performed a physical, tested reflexes on limbs, checked range of motion of limbs, wrapped torso in compression bandage, gave oxygen, determined multiple diagnoses including fractured femur, pelvic fracture, losing oxygen due to hole in chest cavity- after examination, dr. called resue services (owner was unreachable) to recommend euthanasia/get approval to euthanize dog. The pitbull was euthanized -Observed dr. examination on pitbull after euthanasia- determined the femur was broken in 5-6 different places -Observed grooming of aggressive himalayan cat, including muzzling, nail clipping, and shaving -Observed fluids given to snake -Observed catheter application on dog -Observed dr. discussion of symptoms/possible diagnoses for dog. Symptoms included limping, vomiting, dry gums, painful- will do ultrasound and x-rays to address symptoms, and determined possible diagnosis of pancreatitis -Observed blood sugar test done on ferret/ferret bath -Observed canine ultrasound due to a possible foreign body -Observed nail trimming on bulldog -Observed exploratory surgery on ferret/removal of 50% of pancreas, samples will be taken from other organs (stomach, duodenum, etc.) and will be subsequently biopsied -Emergency- dog ate chocolate brownies- came in as emergency patient the previous night, observed charcoal administration by syringe (orally) to detoxify the remainder of the chocolate in dog -Observed dog with cancer get fluids, ie. vitamin D, also observed reflex test on hips, hind end, and a sensation test/probing to determine where dog still has nerve sensation -Observed feline rabies vaccination/check-up -Observed beagle vaccination/check-up -Observed bandage removal on bulldog -Observed exam on greyhound: right hind leg could be a potential problem identified by owner, dr. examined rotation, flexibility, sensation, pain levels, and sensitivity in leg while observing dog's reaction to the exam -Observed nail clipping on greyhounds -Observed emergency patient- dwarf hamster got hook stuck in lip -Observed bath/grooming on dog with charcoal

Day 7: 6/2/11 -Restrained dog during bath/shaving -Observed blood pressure taken with doppler radar on dog -Observed dr.'s rounds in the morning around 8am: consists of overview of each patient including background, improvements, regressions, updates, changes, etc. (doctors and technicians) -Observed oral pill administration and catheter removal on scottie -Observed blood drawn from jugular on dog -Observed positive lyme disease test results/observed exam on dog with lyme disease, dr. discussion about possible healing methods -Observed blood drawn from ferret- back leg -Observed blood test procedure- tests for blood-gas levels, hydration, protein levels, number of cells, etc. -Observed cleaning of wound/shaving of wound area on emergency cat patient, comforted/distracted cat throughout procedure -Observed blood drawn from aggressive Shih Tzu -Observed dental cleaning/extractions on german shepherd -Observed ear hematoma repair on german shepherd -Participated in recovery procedure/comforted german shepherd after ear hematoma procedure -Restrained/comforted pitbull puppy during catheter application/taping, secured blood sample tops after blood was drawn -Observed nail clipping on cat -Observed dr. exam, lyme and rabies vaccinations on obese dachsund -Took dog's temperature -Observed cast removal on pitbull puppy under anesthesia -Observed ureteral catheter application on dog

Day 8: 6/3/11 -Learned how hematrue (CBC: complete blood count) machine works, tech checks to ensure that machine works by using a blood sample with perfect limits/range -Observed canine check-up: temperature, pulse, vaccinations -Observed 8am rounds with doctors and vet techs -Observed prescription medicine counting/sorting -Observed tech check-up call to patient's owner -Observed dr/tech conversation concerning what has been observed by the owner about patient and future plans to ensure wellness. Possible diagnoses also covered -Observed nail clipping on westie -Obsered vaccinations- Chihuahua -Observed sutcher removal on wounded paw- westie -Observed check-up for a chocolate lab; included blood sample drawn for CBC, lyme snap test, urine sample/test -Observed Chihuahua spay- high risk surgery due to small size and intracranial pressure due to plates in head that had not grown completely together, therefore increasing the total pressure in head. Anesthesia increases this already high pressure in brain

[What a thorough report! And clearly you are reflecting about very important matters. –Mr. E.]


 * POL Comments: Rizzi/Smith**
 * Devan braved a cold and a weak voice to deliver a very interesting presentation about her exploration into veterinary science. Her presentation was thorough, well organized, and clear, though it ran too long. Her journal and sponsor report are complete and her presentation met the time requirements.**