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An Exciting Case, With a Difficult Ending
During my first ER shift, an elderly German shepherd presented for increased difficulty breathing for the past 2 weeks. He had been referred by his primary veterinarian after x-rays of his chest...
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The Pig Picture
I recently participated in a farm call with my friend Calvin. We joined one of the ambulatory vets and drove out to find a one-year-old gilt who was in a bad way. Though her sister had successfully...
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Ping Pong Displacement
Ping pong diplomacy eased American and Chinese relations in the early 1970s. While this has absolutely nothing to with veterinary medicine, I often think of it when I auscultate a cow, especially if I...
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3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Clinics
I’m a few months into my veterinary clinical rotations, and there’s a few things I wish I’d known before starting clinics—a mixture of common sense, tricks of the trade, and setting appropriate...
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Planning for the Yukon Quest
I recently confirmed some amazing and exciting clinic rotation plans for February of 2019. I know that is quite a ways away, but it is never too early to plan for important things in life. I will be...
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Finding the Humer(us)
During our positioning week on Radiology, my rotation partner and I had taken radiographs (x-rays) of everything from Pomerians in heart failure to Labradors that had eaten rocks to cats with pelvic...
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An Act of Mercy
It was my first day at the low-cost community clinic, and I was feeling so overwhelmed I had to keep blinking back prickling tears of frustration. An unfamiliar clinic, unfamiliar computer system, and...
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My First Favorite Patient
Meatball was the kind of cat that no matter how sick he was, he would headbutt your hands for pets and begin thunderously purring. When I lifted him out of his cage he snuggled up under my ear,...
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Good Luck Duck
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, comes with its fair share of traditions and observances. There is a practice held by many people who celebrate the holiday that involves visiting a natural body of...
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Ultrasounding Bunny Tummies
During my week spent observing in the ultrasound department, I spent most of my time either cuddling patients to help keep them calm during their exam or staring fixedly at the ultrasound screen. It...
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Always At My Side
He spoke about the patients he loved helping over the decades. He carried a bear figurine that he was given by a patient, which served as a reminder of the good work he did for an underprivileged...
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Studying Away the Stress
With the NAVLE approaching quickly, my classmates and I are all in frantic study mode. Well, we are trying to be anyway… With all of the craziness of rotations, it can be hard to find time to sit down...
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Dog Parks
What does everyone think of when they think of exercising their dogs? Dog parks, of course! While this can be great exercise for social pups with a little bit of emotional intelligence, dog parks are...
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Meeting Mama
Mama was the epitome of a sweet pit bull, her slow walk and grey muzzle attesting to her elderly age. Her pendulous mammary glands were evidence of multiple litters, and her short-cropped, cauliflower...
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The Big Day
It’s finally the day. After three years of class, studying, and hard work, it has all led up to this. Today is the day that I take my NAVLE examination. I’m nervous, I’m nauseous and I’ve barely had...
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Studying for the NAVLE
Tips about studying for the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) abound, but I figured I would share some advice about my own studying experience. It’s possible to study for and pass NAVLE...
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Arturo, The One-Eyed Pup
When I first met Arturo, he was a small growling lump hiding under a thick purple blanket. He had come for a second opinion on an infected corneal ulcer of his right eye. Arturo had already seen 2...
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The Little Big Things
On the large animal surgery rotation, my colleagues and I got to help treat a mare in her late thirties who was suffering from an episode of choke. Choke, a colloquialism used to refer to an...
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NAVLE Results
Recently, I received the glorious news that I passed my NAVLE (National American Veterinary Licensing Exam). It was such a relief to know that I don’t have to take the test twice. I know some others...
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“Difficult” Patients
Many pets that we meet as veterinarians are happy to see us, but there are also plenty that have a hard time at the veterinarian. Understandably, it can be a stressful time for animals who are not...
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