Idiopathic Issues

“I just want my dog to be happy” These were the words I uttered during my behavior selective in vet school.  I meant it, like most pet parents, I too really wanted my dog to have an enjoyable life.  She suffered from separation anxiety and I was getting noise complaints from my neighbors and my apartment complex was threatening to kick me out.  I didn’t know what to do.  Why was she so unhappy?  How could I help?

I was very lucky to an excellent behaviorist at my vet school.  Dr. Sherman was the first veterinary behaviorist I had ever met.  Even though I worked in several animal hospitals prior to and during vet school this was the first time I had ever seen behavior presented in a clinical way. I found it to be fascinating.  Perhaps this subject isn't the most exciting topic for your NAVLE prep.  I think a lot of my classmates thought it was silly, obvious and boring, but when she gave the statistic that one of the leading causes of of death for companion animals is euthanasia due to behavior issues, I think we all perked up a little bit and realized the importance of this issue.

Toxicology was one of my favorite classes in veterinary school.  I know it sounds crazy, because toxicities are awful and it is really sad when your patients ingest substances that they shouldn’t.  So many of the cases are incredibly tragic like the lily ingestion that waited 3 days to come in.  While others, like the dog who ate 3 pans of brownies, end happily with an evening of chocolate scented vomit.

It’s National Veterinary Technician Week!! I know this is a blog for veterinary students, but seriously where would we be without our technicians? I keep in touch with the vast majority of technicians from my past. The techs I worked with at my weekend job, from vet school, from my internship and my clinic are still my friends and teachers.  

Veterinary technicians play such a critical role in our community. They are highly skilled professionals with multiple hats to wear on a daily basis. Phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, anesthesiologist, patient holder, client communication specialist, dental  hygienist, custodian, dog walker, morale booster, neonate reviver, surgery pack origami artist, inventory manager, receptionist, undertaker, veterinarian security guard, lab specialist, CPR technician, and animal snuggling expert. The list goes on and on.

Our October Spotlight Veterinarian is Dr. Patti Dressel.  Dr. Dressel is a 2005 graduate of Colorado State University. She is an extremely popular small animal clinician in New Hampshire.  You might say that she is the quintessential general practitioner.  She will see almost any species, is competent in all aspects of medicine and her clients adore her as she truly possesses the gift of effective client communication.  

Rabies is a scary disease.  With Wyoming just having it's first confirmed rabies death I feel that it is timely to discuss this almost 100% fatal disease.  It's easy in the United States to forget how deadly and devastating this disease can be.  We have prevention programs in place with our pets and very few people die from this virus each year.