Stand alone lesson: physical exam in dogs and cats (intro)

ICT and My Work: A typical day in my life as a Veterinarian

“Technology can improve the clinic practice’s efficiency and in some cases, even the quality of veterinary medicine and surgery. And without question, it’ll improve the client’s perception of value.” (Dr Mark Opperman 2013)

Technology in the workplace has indeed changed the way we communicate. It is much easier now to get in touch with our clients - to schedule appointments, to monitor a patient's progress, to update a client regarding their confined pet, to relay information or laboratory/medical results,  or to call them up to get their consent to do necessary interventions in cases of emergency.

It's ten in the morning, with a hot cup of coffee in my hand, I hurriedly made my way to the information desk to answer the telephone that have been persistently ringing. A client was calling to confirm his appointment at 10.30am, and to verify if "Bonnie's" attending vet has already arrived. I assured the client that yes, his slot is reserved and that the vet is already in.

11am, I picked up the phone to call Mrs. M, we kept her pet "Astro" overnight at the clinic for observation. Astro has been feeling poorly the past two days and was vomiting intermittently. When Mrs. M answered the phone, I gave her an update on Astro's status - the dog is feeling much better and has not vomited since last night. Also, the dog showed interest in his food and had consumed all the food given to him this morning. If things keep up that way, it might be possible to discharge Astro later in the afternoon. Mrs. M thanked me and happily agreed to come by later this day to check on her pet.

12 noon, just before we go on our lunch break, we hurriedly called and texted our clients to remind them of their pets' rabies/5in1/kennel cough vaccination, deworming, treatment and grooming schedules and follow-up consultations for the next day. 

Though it is not actually part of our job to remind our clients about their pet's schedules (because, of course, it's part of being a responsible owner to be aware of your pet's vaccination schedules), we don't really mind doing it because many appreciate the effort we put in to call or text them when Pinto's rabies vaccine or Panda's deworming schedule is due tomorrow. Taking time to remind our clients helps them to be aware and mindful of their pets' health status. Also, putting extra time and effort in fixing appointments increases the clinic sales and client turn-over. More clients coming in through the door means we are also busy!

At 2 pm, a referral from another clinic (from the next town) came in, after reading the referral note, I quickly contacted the attending vet to request additional information.  After a short chit-chat, the attending vet simply sent me the needed documents via fax. He also e-mailed me the patient's medical files and also the laboratory results that would aid me in the diagnosis and treatment. 

Communication and sharing of information between vets is now relatively easier. The internet provides many ways and medium on how to share and upload information, new techniques and such, thus allowing anyone to reach a wider audience. With the available information around, we easily learn about rare cases and how to approach delicate cases, how to perform special surgeries. With the all the many communication facets available, it is relatively easy to contact some one, ie. a specialist, from across the globe to ask for a secondary opinion.

  At four in the afternoon, a referral came from a nearby branch of the clinic for laboratory procedures: a complete blood count, x-ray and an ultrasound (the main branch has in-house blood exam machine, x-ray and ultrasound). Since the clinic now has a centralized client data-base, I can just easily access the files through the computer to review the patient's file, even if the owner is not a client of the main branch. After performing the requested laboratory procedures and relaying the results to the attending vet, I sent the animal back to the other branch with all the results. I also encoded all the results and readings on the animal's medical profile in the data-base for record purposes. For future references, we could just easily retrieve the necessary information on the data-base.

 Six pm,  patient came in for a routine check up, I noticed some lesions on the skin, after informing the owner of the problem, I decided to do a skin scraping to check what is causing the problem. After taking a sample, preparing the slide and checking it on the microscope, I noticed some parasite which I am not familiar with. Usually, I would go to the mini-library to browse on books, but now I just use my tablet to search on-line for the necessary data. I just type the necessary info and presto! That easy - and way faster. A few moments later I'm explaining to the owner regarding the dog's disease and what is the proper approach to treat it.

7pm, Mrs. M is quite late in picking up  Astro. Earlier, I asked my kennel assistants to groom Astro and remove the stains on his coat. I administered his medication for the evening and made sure he was already fed. I have already prepared his take-home medications and carefully written down the instructions how to administer them. When Mrs. M stepped in the clinic, Astro tugged on his leash and tried to get close to his owner. Mrs M brought Astro's "yaya" along and while Mrs M was busy hugging and petting Astro, I gave the yaya the detailed instructions on how to administer the necessary medications. After the lengthy conversation, Mrs M approached the counter to pay the bill. With heartful thank yous from Mrs M and me responding call us if there would be any problems, the trio exited the building, Astro in the lead heading for the waiting car.

8 pm, I'm busy finishing up the necessary things before I leave for the day. I checked on my patients for the next day, made sure everything is in order. I also checked on the confines, made sure that they had received their medications on time. After filing back the patient forms to their proper places, cleaning up the clutter at the counter top, making sure the consultation tables are clean, placing back the instruments in their proper places, turning off lights that are not needed, I took my time card and logged out. Thankfully, my reliever just stepped in the door. After endorsing all the cases and making note about other reminders, I left the clinic.

Tomorrow brings another day in a busy clinic life. :)

 

My views on being a Vet...

 Being a veterinarian is not as easy at it may seem...

but it can be as fun as well!  

 

Five years...I'm quite proud to say I have been in the practice for five years now, joining the veterinary profession way back in 2009...and it has been quite a journey.

       

 From the moment I received my license, my first clinic job, followed by two more clinics...the span of five years flew by in a blur as I went through my daily routine. Clinic duty...routine check ups, surgeries, diagnostics, laboratory examinations, emergency procedures...I loved every moment of it! I took every chance to learn from each case, to sharpen my skills and broaden my knowledge about animal diseases, disease diagnosis and proper treatment.

 

Being a veterinarian has indeed changed me, it has affected my views, my principles, my beliefs and outlook in life. Given the chance to be a steward to these adorable and sometimes helpless creatures, I took on the role as care-giver, playmate and friend to these furry pets. And since of course they are not able to express themselves in our terms, special care and understanding has to be given to fully comprehend their conditions...let me tell you, it was not that easy....

    But don't get me wrong...that wasn't  a downside at all, because we Vets   are considered "special" because of that ability: to be able to communicate to animals effectively is a rare talent, some are born with it, while others develop it as they go on. Horse whisperer, dog whisperer, cat whisperer, what ever you would like to call it...that ability is often a much-needed requirement in the veterinary practice. It may seem silly to others but in my opinion, having the ability to understand and to empathize with the animal distinguishes a good veterinarian. 

  Even though being a vet is a very decent and honorable profession...it does have its flaws...just like any other profession it seems.

Though I hate to admit it, the clinic setting is a tough one, a cut-throat set-up of survival of the fittest, or rather, survival of the strongest, both emotionally and physically. In a clinic setting, I found out that it is sometimes hard to separate your emotions and to remain unaffected by things and situations happening around you.

  A beloved pet suddenly becomes sick...a surgery that has to be performed to save a pet's life...the choice of putting down aka euthanasia... emotions and tension can run...and if not held in check, could veer off the wrong direction. And that truth was quite hard for me to take. Studies show that veterinarians are high-risk individuals for depression - owing much to the perception and expectations that we have to meet. It is a stressful and draining job...sometimes reaching to the point where you give until "the well is dry" and despite that still continue to give more....

"Veterinary medicine is more than a career: It is a calling that attracts compassionate individuals who want to help animals stay healthy and to care for those that are ill and injured. The very nature of our profession calls for caring for our clients through their suffering and sorrow, often at our own emotional and physical cost—the “cost of caring,” or compassion fatigue.

 

Compassion fatigue is characterized by a deep physical and emotional exhaustion and a pronounced change in the ability to feel empathy for patients, loved ones, and team members. Marked by increased cynicism at work and a loss of professional enjoyment, it attacks our empathy and compassion for others—likely the very reasons we became veterinary professionals."  (for the full article, go to: http://www.veterinaryteambrief.com/article/compassion-fatigue-cost-caring )

 

"Compassion fatigue"
At first I was utterly clueless what it meant...until I fully understood it and realize that I have been suffering from it for several months before I finally decided to give up and quit my job in a busy city clinic and transferred to a small rural one. It was a hard and painful decision, but it had to be done. I reached the tipping point where I cared so little, it took so much effort to come to work everyday and be a team-player, I was prone to make errors and was not able to finish assigned tasks on time. Eventually, I let the negative feelings and events get the best of me. 

I know it was partly my fault, I know it is cowardly of me that instead of facing the problem head-on, I decided to run away. Looking back, I think what really made a difference is the fact that other veterinarians tend to brush off these concerns as mere over-reactions, they refuse to acknowledge that we are individuals that have different reactions to a similar situation and that we cope in different ways. some believe that we should always be tough and act indifferent to any situation...but that is simply not the case for each and every one of us. 

On the bright side, anyone can recover from compassion fatigue...and companionship and support from others would really help very much.

Our empathic reaction can be tempered by staying detached—keeping an adequate “distance” from those we are helping through their trying experiences by taking breaks during the day, stepping outside the workplace, minding the number of hours we work, or being assertive of how we schedule appointments. Mixing appointments that are likely to be “happier,” such as new puppy/kitten exams or rechecks where we anticipate some therapeutic success, with those that might be more emotionally demanding can give you a “break.” Also, it is important that you figure out what is “yours” to take on in the first place.

Also, simply getting into the habit of pausing to experience the satisfaction of our work can be a tremendous benefit.

As veterinarians, in our quest to help our patients, to heal and to take good care of them, we should never forget to take a step back and remember that there is an ethical mandate to take care of ourselves as well. 

traveling and exploring

Traveling and Exploring

By Nozomiblues

 

"Why bother setting goals? Why bother with journeys?"

The reason behind this is actually not about attaining them...not about finishing them...it about what we become in the process of obtaining these goals and going through these journeys...that's why we bother. 

I love traveling and exploring, going to tourists spots around the Philippines...both famous and unheard of...but I often prefer the less known areas, since the crowd there is smaller.

I was exposed to traveling and exploring at a very young age... 

In my family, out-of-town trips were a normal occurrence while we were kids... 

and still continued even when we are now adults.

Though unintentionally, my parents have nurtured 

and encouraged the adventurous spirit in me...

Most of the time I go on solo trips...throwing my cares in the wind and just simply go! Sometimes my friends or my sisters accompany me...which is better because you have someone to talk to...and bond over the experience...

Traveling has taught me a lot of lessons... some lessons that have been useful as I go through my life. Through my several journeys I have met different people from all walks of life... And even if the encounter was brief, each one making their impact in my life, some even gave advices that I badly needed at that time...

 I go on short trips to calm my mind, to soothe my tired spirit and to energize my body...to do a little bit of soul-searching and  of course, the main agenda: to meditate and to relax... :)

Most of the time we find excuses not to go, 

we find reasons to postpone and to delay 

because we are too busy with daily life chores, 

or it is simply not the right time... 

But really, there is never a "perfect time" for things... 

Why? The truth is, you have to make your perfect time.

My advise: go!Once in a while put down you baggage and go on a journey.

At the end of every journey, you'll arrive a different person from the one you started out, and that is basically the goal in traveling. The experiences you gain and the lessons you learned along the way will  forever remain with you. 

So, just go...and discover more...