Shadowing a Vet

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I had a lot of fun today, as I shadowed at an mixed animal clinic (Iain Butt Veterinary Practice), in the Edinburgh suburb of Loanhead. They have a unique way of seeing clients, as compared to back home. They have three consulting times, where anyone can come in to the see the veterinarian: 9-11am, 1-2pm, 5-6:30pm, no appointments required. During the times between the consultations, the surgeons (as they are called in the UK) perform surgeries, travel out to farms, and take breaks. The practice has three-four vets on staff, with numerous nurses (aka very well educated technicians), receptionists, and office staff.

In the morning, I saw pretty routine stuff: a dog coming in the check out its skin following a round of antibiotics for a severe skin infection, a dog coming in to check its incision following surgery, a dog with blocked anal glands,and a lady from a cat rescue bringing in four cats for exams (2 of which were very very evil). After the first consulation, surgery began. The first was a drainage of the a dog's anal glands. It was interesting as I had never seen it before, but it's very smelly. The next surgery was a routine castration.

Following a short break, I went with the doctor to two farms. The first was an examination of a show pony that was having bumps on its neck. Turns out it was a result of the rugs/blankets they were over-using to keep the horse warm during the chilly weather. The next farm was to see a horse that also had a bump, but this was on its chin. Turns out the horse had bitten through its gum, and the area had become infected. After injecting the horse with some antibiotics, we returned to the clinic.

Next, I went out with another veterinarian to watch a sheep c-section being performed. It was very interesting and difficult to watch. Normally, when a lamb is born normally, the amniotic fluid is squeezed out of the lungs as it comes out. However, without a section, the farmers have to be very rough on the lamb to get all the fluid out so that the animal can breathe. Luckily, the lamb made it after a few worried minutes. We returned to the clinic ( I saw the Roslin chapel & roslin castle on the way back, but didn't stop to see them) and waited for a few more consultations. I saw two more checking of the incisions, and then I left to catch the buses back to home.

Overall it was a very exciting and interesting day!!

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Photos

On the way to the clinic
A farm nearby the clinic

On the way to the clinic (a)
A farm nearby the clinic

On the way to the clinic (b)
A farm nearby the clinic

Loanhead
The suburb where the clinic is located

the clinic
Iain Butt Veterinary Practice