Rigby Idaho

I am in Rigby Idaho for a three weeks at veterinary hospital for an externship and it has been a wonderful reminder of why I sit in the same seat for hours at a time in school. One of the doctors was a mentor and professor of mine while I attended BYU-I.  I realized I needed to write down the cool things I have done and learned before I forget!

• completed the skin closure step of surgery on multiple animals- hernia repair on a goat, C-section on a cow, bullet removal from a dog, clean up umbilical abscess, and a few others
• castrated a colt
• neutered a dog and a cat
• spayed a dog (she was in heat which made it more exciting) 
• learned how to place a catheter in a dog
• learned to run the fluid pumps 
• practice pregnancy diagnosis for about 35 cows 
• learned a nifty technique when placing skin sutures to not make them too tight
• learned how to complete a dental cleaning on a dog
• gave IV injections 
• gave physical exams 
• talking with clients 
• giving vaccinations 
• had some great ethical discussions with the doctors and technicians
• restraining animals for different procedures 
• learned a lot about tetanus
• put my parasitology knowledge to the test by reading some fecal slides
• learned that there are 4 types of hernias- incisional, traumatic, inguinal, and umbilical

This has been an awesome experience so far and I can't wait to see what the next 2 weeks have in store! Everyone has been kind to me and patiently taught me new skills and explained things to me. I appreciate the confidence the doctors have in me- allowing me to go into exams rooms to talk to clients and give vaccinations with a tech by myself. I really can do this! This is an incredibly busy practice and I so enjoy the variety of species and cases. We can go from neutering a dog, to looking at a lame cow, to a pre-purchase exam on a horse, to vaccinations on a cat within an hour! I love it!

An awesome bonus is Randy has been able to visit me on the weekends! He is so good, he jumps right in and willing to help where ever he can, weather its holding an adorable puppy or restraining a calf.