1 down, 3 to go...And a Cushing's update

Before I start blabbering about vet school, here's an update on Mika: 

The tests came back, and Mika tested positive for Cushing's disease. Her uncontrolled Cushing's is what most likely caused her to have a stroke, which she is still recovering from. She is, however, eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom on her own; she just is a bit wobbly and a bit confused. However, she's made a lot of improvement since last week, and we're hoping that that continues! With regard to the Cushing's, we are going to start her on a chemotherapeutic drug called Lysodren (Mitotane) to treat the tumor that causes Cushing's.  Things are looking up for Mika, and she's doing well! We couldn't be happier at her progress.

On another note, now Josh (our 6 yr old yellow Lab) has what the vet thinks is the flu! He has been having diarrhea and some vomiting. So that's a joy. He goes back to the vet next week for a re-check/suture removal on his aural hematoma, too. 

At this moment in time (no absolute guarantees), there is nothing wrong with Lucky, the 11 yr old Mini Poodle. Hopefully he doesn't catch this flu or wind up with some other mysterious malady. At this point, there will be no Christmas due to exorbitant vet bills. Oh, the joys of pet ownership.

Now, on to first year vet school, where the dogs are always dead and morale is always low....

We had our first final today in Small Animal Gross Anatomy. It covered the arteries and nerves of the hind limb, the cranial nerves and their branches, cranial arteries, the eye, bones of the skull, teeth, and various miscellany from old exams. Needless to say, I'm glad that's over! 

Here's the final exam schedule for next week:

Monday: Microanatomy (which I should be studying for now, but am instead snapping pics of my bunny and blogging)

Tuesday: Cell Phys (let's hope I pass...)

Wednesday: Principles of Surgery 

Here's the deal with Principles of Surgery. First they lock us in a room and make us identify surgical instruments, along with functions, and answer practical questions. Then we demonstrate proper surgical scrubbing (my arms are already killing me!), gowning, gloving, and draping, all while maintaining sterility. For a break from this stress-fest before demonstrating suture patterns, our instructor provides a room full of puppies. Well, not FULL, exactly. But there is a room, and there are puppies in there. After we do some yoga breathing and swallow back some nervous vomit, we enter the area where we demonstrate suture patterns and hand ties in front of veterinary surgeons. And then, guess what? If we screw up at any point, we have to re-do it the next day! HOORAY! I can't wait for that moment when my hand accidentally hits the water faucet, or when my Lembert turns out looking like a Cushing/Connell instead. 

But after Micro, Cell Phys, and Surgery, I'm DONE. Done with the first semester of veterinary school, and 1/8th of the way through with my veterinary training. So even if my damn gown does touch the table and break sterility, or I forget what Descemet's membrane looks like, I'll live. I'll live, I'll pass, and I'll be back next semester.

Putting it into Perspective

Yes, veterinary school is difficult. We have class, lab, electives, clubs, wet labs, quizzes, case studies, and exams. It's easy to get lost in the monotony that is school and forget about why we're here, and why we're training to be vets. But everything we're learning was put into perspective for me when my 12 year old Labrador Retriever, Mika, suffered what appeared to be a seizure less than a week ago. 


After the initial seizure episode, characterized by thrashing movement, disorientation, ataxia, and nystagmus (vocab word of the day: rapid eye movement up and down or side to side), Mika suffered a less severe episode. In this episode, only the top of her head convulsed, although nystagmus was still present. Mika was taken to the veterinarian at home (a WSU grad, in fact!), where they performed a physical exam and did blood work. Canine geriatric vestibular disease was ruled out, and, due to her high liver enzymes, Cushing's disease was suggested. The vet then performed a liver function test to determine how the liver is functioning and possible causes - we're still waiting on results, damn the lab to hell. 


In the meantime, Mika has been losing function in her limbs; she is now consistently ataxic, falls when she tries to shake herself, and can't roll on her back to itch as she normally does. She has diarrhea, although that could be from the food they feed during the liver function test, and has lost some interest in food. Mika is also demonstrating confused and dazed mentation, and a complete deviation from her normal behavior and personality. Due to these symptoms (excluding the diarrhea), as well as the fact that after her seizure episodes the right side of her face was drooping, the veterinarian has also postulated that Mika may have suffered a stroke.


So far the conditions considered are: problem with liver function, Cushing's disease, brain tumor, stroke.


We'll know more once the lab results are back; we have to wait to see the outcome of the liver function test before moving forward with testing for Cushing's. My parents may also bring Mika down to WSU for testing by a Neurologist, which I think is a great idea. The vet told us to keep her comfortable, and said that motion sickness medication (Meclizine) may help with her incoordination and ataxia for the time being. 


Although this case really hits home because it's my own dog, it also made a lot of what we're learning in our 1st year clinically relevant. For example: 

• Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism) is caused by an overproduction of cortisol resulting from increased ACTH synthesis (CELL PHYS, ANYONE?!). There are 3 types of Cushing's - Pituitary Dependent, Adrenal-based, or Iatrogenic
• Pituitary Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism: Results from a tumor on the pituitary (adenoma or adenocarcinoma) that results in increased ACTH production, which sends a signal to the adrenal glands to produce high levels of cortisol. Non-surgical due to the location of the tumor, but responsive to radiation and chemotherapy; tumors usually benign.
• 10-20% of pituitary tumors are macroadenomas, which are large enough to cause not only Cushing's, but also induce neurological effects.
• Pituitary tumors are usually located on the adenohypophysis, with the pars distalis or pars intermedia capable of producing ACTH (HELLO, MICROANATOMY!)
• Adrenal-based Hyperadrenocorticism: A tumor is located on the adrenal glands (HEY THERE, ANATOMY!), causing them to produce high amounts of cortisol directly. Surgery (ALL THOSE SUTURE PATTERNS WILL COME IN HANDY!)is sometimes an option, as these tumors can be cancerous.
• Iatrogenic Hyperadrenocorticism: Results from long-term use of steroid drugs (ex. Prednisone). Can usually be resolved by eliminating steroid drugs.

So yes, what we're learning in the 1st year IS important. Incredibly important. And Mika's current struggle is a slap back to reality. So yes, I WILL be paying attention in class for these last few weeks. It's time to put away the crosswords, people. We have better things to practice. Like veterinary medicine.

Return to the Real World: Post-Thanksgiving Thoughts

It's the Monday after Thanksgiving Break, and school is already back in full swing. There was a Cell Phys quiz on a canine hemangiosarcoma case, we got our Embryology quizzes back (I did well, yay!), and Anatomy and Microanatomy lectures as usual. To top it all off, there was a VBMA lecture that lasted from 5-7 on interview basics by Dr. Talcott, the WSU CVM Director of Admissions. Needless to say, it was a very busy day for someone who, just yesterday, slept a total of 15 hours. 

So what's on the agenda for this week? Studying, studying, studying. Hopefully going to the gym and also cleaning up the house. Maybe a little horseback riding later in the week or this weekend, too. 

Speaking of studying...it's almost time for FINALS. We have our last Anatomy exam next Friday, then Microanatomy on Monday, Cell Phys on Tuesday, and Principles of Surgery on Wednesday. We're free by noon on December 16th! However, there is definitely a lot to do before then; I'm still not sure how I'm going to study for all of those exams at the same time, let alone take them one after the other. It should be interesting, to say the least (the VERY least). 

Wish me luck! I'll probably check in/complain later this week...

You think vet school sucks until...

This past week has been rough for me. Actually the past couple of weeks. First I didn't do too hot on my Anatomy exam, and barely passed. Then we got our Microanatomy exams back, and I didn't do as well as I thought I would, although I passed just fine. I feel like I've been in a constant state of disappointment for a few weeks now, and it's definitely wearing on me. I now have only to get my Cell Phys test back to finish off the feeling. Because I know that one definitely sucked. Needless to say, I'm ready for Thanksgiving Break. 


However, a visit from one of my classmates last night cheered me up, and also reminded me to suck it up. He's been having a hard time with school lately too, but is trying out a new approach: it's called NOT bitching. We are so lucky to be here; only 1/10 of the students that applied to be in the WSU Class of 2015 got in, and we are the privileged few. We don't have jobs that make us work for no money or in terrible conditions. We GET to learn and study what we're passionate about all day, every day. And we need to remember that when things are rough. 


That feeling was definitely on my mind tonight during an optional suture lab. Practicing all of my patterns on my suture block and on horse cadavers, I was reminded of what I'm REALLY doing here. Those suture patterns are what matter, not how many points I passed by on my exams. I passed. Move on. How amazing is it that I have the opportunity to learn how to practice medicine on animals? That's what I need to focus on and truly enjoy. Because I really am one of the lucky ones, to be here at this amazing vet school with incredible people all around me. So that's my new goal- be present.


Which I can start focusing on AFTER Thanksgiving Break. Because suture materials aren't allowed in a carry-on (TSA doesn't appreciate scalpel blades or needles very much, I hear), and I can't bring my cadaver dog with me.  

Horse Hearts, Herd Health, and a 3 day weekend!

The latter half of this week turned out to be interesting and, when topped off by a 3 day weekend, I would consider it pretty successful. 

On Wednesday I got to participate in an equine cardiology wet lab. The lab had 3 stations: learning to auscult the equine heart, taking an echocardiogram, and dissecting equine hearts. In the first station we listened to a healthy (but fat!) horse's heart, then heard a horse's heart that had many murmurs and atrial fibrillation. We each got to practice performing an echocardiogram on a horse, which was awesome. It was amazing to get to see the valves moving and the heart squeezing on the screen while feeling the live horse under the ultrasound wand.  Finally, a pathologist walked us through a dissection of the equine heart, including what pathologies of the heart might be present and identifiable during a necropsy. Here's a pic of me with my heart!

Thursday was the first day that my group met our Herd Health horse, Holly. Herd Health is a program sponsored by the SCAAEP (Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners) where a group leader and a few other students are assigned a horse to care for the year. This is a great program for people who have limited horse experience to learn more about horse care and handling! I'm a group leader, and 2 other students are in the group as well (shout out to Rian and Kayla!). On Thursday we performed basic grooming techniques and a physical exam. Our horse is pretty unremarkable health-wise, besides her being old as dirt. I'll take a picture of her soon to put up, but she's a 27 year old black Quarter Horse mare.  Our group will be performing basic upkeep, including vaccines, deworming, etc., throughout the year, usually monthly. Plus she'll make a great palpator horse for large animal anatomy next semester!

We had the day off today since it's Veteran's Day, so I slept in, watched some tv shows, and went horseback riding. I'm riding a 16.3 hh Oldenburg-Thoroughbred mare, and we definitely have a lot to work on. Most of our ride today consisted of having fights and swearing in frustration. Needless to say, I wasn't pleased, and we need to keep working together on our communication. Or I need bigger spurs. 

No other plans for the long weekend; maybe I'll catch up on reading and studying. Thanksgiving Break is only a week away, and I already can't focus well. I'm going to California to spend my first holiday with my boyfriend's family. We're planning on going to Napa/Sonoma for wine tasting, and possibly San Francisco. I think it'll be my first warm Thanksgiving, which will be interesting. I'm sure I'll get another post or two in before then, so check back!

It's almost time for second semester?!

Yesterday I registered for next semester's classes. Wow. I can't believe that I have almost made it through the first semester of vet school. It seems like I just got here, and I still don't feel 100% comfortable. Some days I can't even remember what classes I have! Needless to say, I'm a little shocked that it's already time to move into a whole new set of classes. Here's the schedule for Spring 2012:

VM512: Large Animal Anatomy-M,Tue,W,Th, F

VM520: Physiology-M,Tue,W,Th

VM521: Neuroscience-M,Tue,W

VM534: Immunology-Tue,W, Th

VM545: Pathology-Tue,F

VM580: Basic Nutrition-F

Total: 19 credits, plus electives

I'm not sure how correct this schedule is; they're always changing days and times on us. I'll keep everyone posted, and will put up the official schedule once I get it after Thanksgiving Break. I'm sure I'll be taking 1 or 2 electives next semester as well, but we don't sign up for those until mid-November. I'll be sure to write about those as well.

I suppose it would be useful to post the classes I'm currently taking, too. Here's the lineup for the first semester of first year:

Monday

Principles of Surgery (9-10 am)
Anatomy (10-11 am)

Cell Phys (11-12 pm)

MicroAnatomy (1-2 pm)

MicroAnatomy Lab (3:30-5pm)

Tuesday

Surgery Lab (8-10 am)-every other week

Anatomy Lab (10/10:30-12pm)

Cell Phys (1-2pm)

MicroAnatomy (2-3pm)

Ag.Animal Seminar (3-5)

Wednesday

Ag. Animal Lab (8-10am)-done for the semester

Anatomy Lab (10/10:30-12pm)

Anatomy (1-2pm)

MicroAnatomy (2-3pm)

Radiology (3-5pm)-optional; used to be an Ethics class that's over

Thursday

Anatomy Lab (8-10/10:30am)

Cell Phys (1-2pm)

Microanatomy Lab (3:30-5pm)

Friday

Anatomy Lab (8-10/10:30am)

Colic Team (12-1pm)-elective

Cell Phys (1-2pm)

So that's the current run-down on the classes I'm taking at the moment. Usually daily there is an activity/lecture/rounds from 12-1 to attend (usually with free lunch!).  I also have club activities, wet labs, and lectures a few times a week after classes; usually they are 2-3 hours per activity. 

There you have it! The schedule of a first year veterinary student! It's definitely hectic, and sometimes I'm at school for 12 hours. Not an exaggeration. But as you can see, some days I have plenty of breaks or get out early, so it's not too bad. 

I guess I should go study Cell Phys now...Thursday keeps creeping closer, and this study guide won't finish itself. Until next time!

And so the blog begins...

I finally did it.  I started a blog about veterinary school. 
So welcome! 
This is going to be a short post (I have a Cell Phys quiz to study for. Boo.), but hopefully I'll be able to write a longer one this weekend. Here's an overview of some activities I have going this week:

• A lecture by (and lunch with...YAY!) Dr. Temple Grandin on Tuesday
• An equine cardiology wet lab on Wednesday night
• Cell Phys quiz Thursday
• And no school on Friday (which I'm so not used to, because my private undergrad didn't give us Veteran's Day off)!

Today I went to a lecture hosted by the VBMA (Veterinary Business Management Association) that hosted the founder of myveterinarycareer.com on resume-building for jobs and internships. It was really interesting and helpful, although it made becoming a vet seem even harder and more bleak than before (as if that was possible). The speaker talked about the veterinary job market (sucks), veterinary salaries (suckier), and internships (dismal torture). Oh the joys of becoming a veterinarian in an economic slump.  However, there's still hope, since graduation is still three and a half years away. Let's hope the US gets their you-know-what together by then. 


Ok, Cell Phys calls. Weakly, but still. I must.