Unfortunately, that "bang" was the sound of our assigned horse stepping on my foot. Ow. She's usually a doll. This is sort of how it went.
Me: *picks up her hind foot*
Horse: Nooo. I'm a mare, and I'm cranky because the dumb horse keeps making faces at me and kicking the wall. *pulls foot away*
Me: *holds on to it* Nope, mine, not done picking this out yet.
Horse: Nooo! *yank*
Me: *loses grip on the hoof*
Horse: *puts foot down toe first on to my foot*
Luckily, she spared my toes and got me higher up on the foot. Still hurt like a bugger though. I'm hypotensive though, and had a vasovagal (re: dizzy) spell and had to lean against a wall in the barn with my head between my knees for awhile. Thank you to my concerned classmates who asked if I was okay. It passed though, and back I went to finish what I started. Then I walked the Beagles again. Then I went home and I've been icing it on and off ever since, keeping it propped up on the bed. There's a mild purple tinge to the skin but nothing worth writing home about. Harrumph. If I'm going to get stepped on, I'd at least like something impressive! Maybe tomorrow my immune's system artistic side will have come out.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Beagle Day!
Yes, Mondays are a little better this semester for me. Even though it's a Monday and I have to be up earlier than any other day. Classes start at 8:30 as usual, but I run the student laundry office from 8-8:30, so I'm there a half hour earlier. But I do that on Tuesdays too. So what's special about Mondays?
Mondays are the day I walk my group's Beagles. Yes it's stupidly cold out and I get to school before the sun even comes up (lazy sun, loafing around...), but what can I say? I love to watch them play. They skid around on the ice and run along the fence line with each passing car and then I call them and they zoom back to me, usually ducking between my legs at the last second. I'm dog deprived these days. My girl was put to sleep November 2010, so she didn't make the trek to PEI with me. I have housemates now, so not really in a position to get another dog. I plan on getting my own place next year, but still don't think I'll be able to get a new dog. I'm just gone too much, it wouldn't be fair to the dog. I think it's one thing to do that to a dog you've had for years, but not one you've just gotten. I may become a cat person. There's lots of humane society cats that need adopting. I don't dislike cats. I just find them a little odd. But they can be loveable. And I'm loveable and a little odd, so maybe we'll go very well together.
Speaking of the future, it's summer job application time. Yes, already! The positions don't start until May, obviously, but they're starting to post ads now. AVC hires students in various positions every summer. I'm hoping to get something with them, and to be honest, I don't really care what it is. I have preferences, but there's not a lot that I'd really hate doing. Maybe basic small animal care would be a no-go, but even something like ICU would be cool. I put in one application already for a position that closes on Jan 26. We will see!
Mondays are the day I walk my group's Beagles. Yes it's stupidly cold out and I get to school before the sun even comes up (lazy sun, loafing around...), but what can I say? I love to watch them play. They skid around on the ice and run along the fence line with each passing car and then I call them and they zoom back to me, usually ducking between my legs at the last second. I'm dog deprived these days. My girl was put to sleep November 2010, so she didn't make the trek to PEI with me. I have housemates now, so not really in a position to get another dog. I plan on getting my own place next year, but still don't think I'll be able to get a new dog. I'm just gone too much, it wouldn't be fair to the dog. I think it's one thing to do that to a dog you've had for years, but not one you've just gotten. I may become a cat person. There's lots of humane society cats that need adopting. I don't dislike cats. I just find them a little odd. But they can be loveable. And I'm loveable and a little odd, so maybe we'll go very well together.
Speaking of the future, it's summer job application time. Yes, already! The positions don't start until May, obviously, but they're starting to post ads now. AVC hires students in various positions every summer. I'm hoping to get something with them, and to be honest, I don't really care what it is. I have preferences, but there's not a lot that I'd really hate doing. Maybe basic small animal care would be a no-go, but even something like ICU would be cool. I put in one application already for a position that closes on Jan 26. We will see!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Oh glorious Wednesday!
We have some scheduling issues this semester. Mostly the issue is asking ourselves "Who came up with this??" Case in point - Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Wednesdays are wonderful (if you'll pardon the alliteration).We start at 9:30, an hour later than usual. We have an hour of Physiology, and then an hour of Structure and Function and since it's a discussion based class, it's a nice break from the usual lecturing. Then we have a two hour (!) lunch. Finally, we have an hour of Epidemiology* and then we may or may not have an Epidemiology lab.
*And today was a bonus because one of my favourite professors was guest lecturing.
Then there's through-the-wringer Thursdays (okay, that alliteration was just bad, and I apologize). Four straight hours of lecture in the morning. Four different subjects, none of them particularly easy. After lunch, it's three hours of Anatomy lab. Not to mention that it's Thursday, so you're just generally tired all ready anyway.
We had our first Parasitology lab on Monday. Fecal samples! Huzzah! We were eagerly awaiting our samples to come out of the centrifuge the way that other people might await cookies from the oven (well, okay, not quite THAT eager). I was largely unsuccessful in finding anything in my chosen sample of foal poo. I had to get one of the faculty over to locate something for me. Just not used to looking for the eggs yet. I know what they should look like, I just don't know what they should look like in relation to everything else on a microscope slide.
They also had some preserved specimens in jars of formalin. People always compare intestinal worms to spaghetti or rice. Poppycock, I say! They look like bean sprouts. At least Ascaris suum does.
Wednesdays are wonderful (if you'll pardon the alliteration).We start at 9:30, an hour later than usual. We have an hour of Physiology, and then an hour of Structure and Function and since it's a discussion based class, it's a nice break from the usual lecturing. Then we have a two hour (!) lunch. Finally, we have an hour of Epidemiology* and then we may or may not have an Epidemiology lab.
*And today was a bonus because one of my favourite professors was guest lecturing.
Then there's through-the-wringer Thursdays (okay, that alliteration was just bad, and I apologize). Four straight hours of lecture in the morning. Four different subjects, none of them particularly easy. After lunch, it's three hours of Anatomy lab. Not to mention that it's Thursday, so you're just generally tired all ready anyway.
We had our first Parasitology lab on Monday. Fecal samples! Huzzah! We were eagerly awaiting our samples to come out of the centrifuge the way that other people might await cookies from the oven (well, okay, not quite THAT eager). I was largely unsuccessful in finding anything in my chosen sample of foal poo. I had to get one of the faculty over to locate something for me. Just not used to looking for the eggs yet. I know what they should look like, I just don't know what they should look like in relation to everything else on a microscope slide.
They also had some preserved specimens in jars of formalin. People always compare intestinal worms to spaghetti or rice. Poppycock, I say! They look like bean sprouts. At least Ascaris suum does.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Two weeks already?
Once again, we're moving right along. Most of our classes are pretty good. Clinical Orientation is presenting some challenges for some people though. Not all the horses are good to work with, especially for those in our class who have no prior horse experience. And even though I have experience, I don't know what to do with them, because I don't know how the college wants us to discipline their horses. On the bright side, my friends and I got a little giddy when one of the professors informed us we'd be learning blood draws later this semester. Our first really procedure! We may still have training wheels, but we are pedalling on our own!
I signed up for the Large Animal Intensive Care team today. It used to be mostly just sleeping in the barn and assisting with foalings, but they're expanding it this year to all large animal cases. They're going to organize it so no one is in the barn overnight before they have a test. We'll be in teams, checking on the animals, helping where we can, and probably mostly being "gophers" for the residents/interns/doctors. But it's a great way to get experience, build relationships with clinicians and build up my resume! Plus maybe make a difference to some fretting owner and their beloved ponies. (And I can relate to that. Even in cases that don't end well, people are usually just glad to know that someone cared.)
Histology is a bit "meh". I don't worry about it too much (I do worry about it's horrific cousin Embryology though...). I do better with histological tissue sections of organs, which is mostly what we're doing this semester.
I keep falling a little more in love with Pathology. (Except the rotting chickens today...) It's just so COOL. The faculty that teach it are so great. They do a fantastic job of encouraging us to guess at what something is.
Anatomy is like learning to walk again. You think you know the movements, but your feet don't know what to do. My group got smart this time though. We're making videos at the end of each sessions, rather than waiting to make them at the end before the midterm/exam. But like learning to walk again, it IS coming back. Slowly but surely we're getting more in the hang of it.
I know all you AVC 2016 hopefuls are (im)patiently waiting for invites now. I wish you the best of luck and I hope to see you on campus for interviews in a few months!
Finally, a quick shout out to all the AVCers (and everyone else, really) at the SCVMA Symposium at OVC this year. I hope you're having a ball and wishing I could have scrounged the cash to join you! The wetlabs looked really cool, especially the ones on equine joint injections and forensic pathology. Oh, and alpacas too! Oh well, next year AVC is playing host to the Symposium, and I'm sure we'll blow it out of the water.
I signed up for the Large Animal Intensive Care team today. It used to be mostly just sleeping in the barn and assisting with foalings, but they're expanding it this year to all large animal cases. They're going to organize it so no one is in the barn overnight before they have a test. We'll be in teams, checking on the animals, helping where we can, and probably mostly being "gophers" for the residents/interns/doctors. But it's a great way to get experience, build relationships with clinicians and build up my resume! Plus maybe make a difference to some fretting owner and their beloved ponies. (And I can relate to that. Even in cases that don't end well, people are usually just glad to know that someone cared.)
Histology is a bit "meh". I don't worry about it too much (I do worry about it's horrific cousin Embryology though...). I do better with histological tissue sections of organs, which is mostly what we're doing this semester.
I keep falling a little more in love with Pathology. (Except the rotting chickens today...) It's just so COOL. The faculty that teach it are so great. They do a fantastic job of encouraging us to guess at what something is.
Anatomy is like learning to walk again. You think you know the movements, but your feet don't know what to do. My group got smart this time though. We're making videos at the end of each sessions, rather than waiting to make them at the end before the midterm/exam. But like learning to walk again, it IS coming back. Slowly but surely we're getting more in the hang of it.
I know all you AVC 2016 hopefuls are (im)patiently waiting for invites now. I wish you the best of luck and I hope to see you on campus for interviews in a few months!
Finally, a quick shout out to all the AVCers (and everyone else, really) at the SCVMA Symposium at OVC this year. I hope you're having a ball and wishing I could have scrounged the cash to join you! The wetlabs looked really cool, especially the ones on equine joint injections and forensic pathology. Oh, and alpacas too! Oh well, next year AVC is playing host to the Symposium, and I'm sure we'll blow it out of the water.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
"I hate funny robots"
Well, sort of. Replace "robots" with "anatomy dissection guides". I picked up the guide for this semester and I'm reading through it in preparation for tomorrow's lab (one of my New Year's resolutions was to be more on top of things...).
The author's a comedian, in his own special vet anatomy way.
Example: "In fact, prior to the publication of the second edition of the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV) in 1973, this muscle in the horse was referred to as the cleidotranservarius." A footnote below that reads: "NAV - This is the little book that veterinary anatomists use to look up the correct names of things (in those rare instances when they don't remember."
On the next page, it continues: "Accidential injection of certain drugs such as tranquilizers into the common carotid artery (direct route to brain) rather than the external jugular vein could be fatal to the patient." Again, a footnote reads: "Such accidents in no way foster positive client relations and could well result in an increase in your malpractice insurance premiums."
At the least, it makes reading it more interesting!
As an aside, 10 points* to whoever can name the show and episode the title of this post is from.
*Points are totally useless and only metaphorical in nature and cannot be redeemed for anything, except maybe bragging rights.
The author's a comedian, in his own special vet anatomy way.
Example: "In fact, prior to the publication of the second edition of the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV) in 1973, this muscle in the horse was referred to as the cleidotranservarius." A footnote below that reads: "NAV - This is the little book that veterinary anatomists use to look up the correct names of things (in those rare instances when they don't remember."
On the next page, it continues: "Accidential injection of certain drugs such as tranquilizers into the common carotid artery (direct route to brain) rather than the external jugular vein could be fatal to the patient." Again, a footnote reads: "Such accidents in no way foster positive client relations and could well result in an increase in your malpractice insurance premiums."
At the least, it makes reading it more interesting!
As an aside, 10 points* to whoever can name the show and episode the title of this post is from.
*Points are totally useless and only metaphorical in nature and cannot be redeemed for anything, except maybe bragging rights.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Once more unto the breach!
Yes, if you saw a steady stream of packed up cars heading across the Confederation Bridge today, that would be my classmates and me. We start back at class bright at early at 8:30 AM tomorrow morning. And they've decided to ease us in... not. General Pathology, followed by 3 hours of Anatomy.
I'm kind of excited about our classes this semester. My old friend Anatomy is back for another go, this time with ponies and goats in lab, and chickens and fish in lecture too. We're back to Physiology again, and one of my resolutions is to stay on top of it daily. That goes for Parasitology too! I have an irrational fear of Parasitology. So many names and life cycles...
Histology is still with us, and invited its terrifying friend Embyology. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. I have yet to meet anyone that liked Embryology. Most of them are just really glad it's over.
Then there's General Pathology. I like Pathology. Hell, I'm in the Pathology club. So I have high hopes for this class. I don't know how well I'll do, but I am kind of excited about it.
Another newbie is Veterinary Epidemiology. I don't know how I feel about it. I've considered epidemiology as a career path, because in theory it sounds cool, but honestly, I have very limited experience with it. So it's very possible that I'll totally hate it. Hopefully not, but it's possible.
Structure and Function is staying. I like S&F. Fingers are crossed that I'll like my new assigned group. My last group gelled really well (enough so that we more or less begged the professors to let us stay together, but no dice). They haven't posted groups for that yet, so I won't find out until Friday.
Last (but not least) is Clinical Orientation. Also know as the first official time we get to deal with living breathing animals. Namely, Beagles, cows, horses and goats. We have assigned animals to walk and groom, plus we learn things like restraint and handling. And knot-tying. I like knot-tying. Maybe I'll finally figure out how to tie a damn quick release knot...
So once again, in the words of the Doctor: "Allons-y!"
(Sorry. I spent a lot of break watching Doctor Who. In fact, I just got done rewatching Voyage of the Damned...)
I'm kind of excited about our classes this semester. My old friend Anatomy is back for another go, this time with ponies and goats in lab, and chickens and fish in lecture too. We're back to Physiology again, and one of my resolutions is to stay on top of it daily. That goes for Parasitology too! I have an irrational fear of Parasitology. So many names and life cycles...
Histology is still with us, and invited its terrifying friend Embyology. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. I have yet to meet anyone that liked Embryology. Most of them are just really glad it's over.
Then there's General Pathology. I like Pathology. Hell, I'm in the Pathology club. So I have high hopes for this class. I don't know how well I'll do, but I am kind of excited about it.
Another newbie is Veterinary Epidemiology. I don't know how I feel about it. I've considered epidemiology as a career path, because in theory it sounds cool, but honestly, I have very limited experience with it. So it's very possible that I'll totally hate it. Hopefully not, but it's possible.
Structure and Function is staying. I like S&F. Fingers are crossed that I'll like my new assigned group. My last group gelled really well (enough so that we more or less begged the professors to let us stay together, but no dice). They haven't posted groups for that yet, so I won't find out until Friday.
Last (but not least) is Clinical Orientation. Also know as the first official time we get to deal with living breathing animals. Namely, Beagles, cows, horses and goats. We have assigned animals to walk and groom, plus we learn things like restraint and handling. And knot-tying. I like knot-tying. Maybe I'll finally figure out how to tie a damn quick release knot...
So once again, in the words of the Doctor: "Allons-y!"
(Sorry. I spent a lot of break watching Doctor Who. In fact, I just got done rewatching Voyage of the Damned...)
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