Good News

The pathology report came back and their is no evidence of malignancy! That's great news. The pathologist believes that the growth consists of proliferative lymphocytes due to a spider bite, panniculitis or other form of immune stimulation.

Study Break

I thought that I would give everyone a quick update before getting back to studying Toxicology. The picture above is of me auscultating an Alpacas heart from my Alpaca clinical skills lab last Friday.
This Sunday I am volunteering at a free spay and neuter clinic. If you live in the southern California area and are interested in spaying or neutering your dog or a FERAL cat, check out the link for more information: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pet/282249698.html

On my rotation yesterday I palpated a small mass on the throat of my patient. At first I felt proud of myself for finding something so small that even my colleague and professor didn't notice it. However, I quickly felt the reality of the situation. This was the first time as a veterinary student that I had to deal with the reality of becoming a doctor. While I do get to help save animals lives, I also have to deal with the reality of sickness and death. My professor aspirated the growth (stuck a small needle in it to suck out cells) and looked at it on a slide. The sample turned out to be cellular so we sent it to a pathologist for further tests. I am hoping that it is benign.

Quick Update

Hi everyone. As usual school has been taking up all of my time. This block I have been learning a lot about metabolic disorders along with continuing with Neurology, Virology, Oncology, and Orthopedics. In addition I have had my first Lizard and Llama case which means that I've had to learn the anatomy and phsiology of both of those species. The picture above is of the Clinical Skills Lab where I learned to place hard casts on Lizards. As you can see my classmates and I practiced applying the casts on each other as well.
This weeks problem based learning case is a neurological Llama. The major differentials of the case include: Polioencephalomalacia, Rabies, Lead (or other heavy metal) toxicity, Vitamin A deficiency, Ethylene Glycol toxicity, Salt toxicity and an infection with a Meningeal Worm. So needless to say I am busy learning about all of these differentials along with studying the normal anatomy and physiology of Llamas. Neurology is one of my least favorite things to study, not because it isn't interesting but becauseI am having a hard time learning how to localize the lesion. If anyone has any tips please let me know! On Friday I will be doing my very first physical exam on a Llama, I can't wait.
I can't believe that I will be out on 3rd year rotations in 10 weeks! I only have 10 more problem based learning cases, 3 Banfield Rotations, 2 Hills Wellness Rotations and 1 VACS rotation to go! The 2nd year rotations that I just mentioned are getting a lot harder in order to prepare us for our 3rd year rotations in hospitals scattered throughout California. For example, one of my classmates was able to close up one of the surgery patients at our rotation the other day. As far as I know, most other veterinary schools don't have students do that until the 3rd or 4th year.
Well I have to get back to writing my Learning Issue on the Pathophysiology of Tremors. I will try to write again soon.