Work Experience: Vet Practice

Friday was, yet again, very busy at the vets. 

The first consult was a Springer Spaniel that had been in season about a month previously. The owner said that she was normally a bit of a busybody, but in the past 2 to 3 days had been very quiet and inactive. She was eating normally but she was drinking less than usual. Suzanne, after having a feel about, told the owner that the dog had swollen nipples and a tight and slightly swollen abdomen. This made her think of a possible ghost pregnancy. However, the owner then told her about a small volume of clear discharge that she had spotted. Often a discharge is a definite way of confirming whether a bitch has Pyometra. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus which then gradually fills with pus. Suzanne wasn't sure whether this was the case, however she didn't want to rule it out. 

Example of Pyometra from Google images

Due to the day being Friday and labs being closed, she didn't particularly want to take tests as the results wouldn't be available until the following Tuesday. Therefore she arranged another appointment for the Monday with the owner, informing her that if she was worried at any point she was to contact the emergency vet services. She also prescribed Tramadol, which is a human drug, to relieve pain. Tramadol can cause drowsiness and in worse cases sickness. (In cases of sickness Tramadol is stopped being given to the animal).

Me and Peanut after getting home from the vets

Another animal that I saw was my guinea pig, Peanut. I had noticed, at the beginning of the week, that her eye was quite red and swollen. This made me think of a possible eye infection. So I made an appointment for Friday, while I was volunteering. I was allowed to take my guinea pig with me and put her in one of the cages while I sat in on the consults. When Suzanne was free, at the end of the consults, she took a look at Peanut's eye. She said that Peanut had conjunctivitis but that she wasn't too happy with how red her eyes were, so there may have been something more sinister. She prescribed antibiotics to her, which would last a week, but if her eyes didn't improve by Monday I would have to go back. Suzanne taught me how to give Peanut her medicine. (I have to sit with Peanut on my lap, tilt her head towards the sky and, using a syringe, put 1ml of the antibiotics into her mouth, a little at a time.) Thankfully my guinea pig is known to sit still and snuggle in when I'm holding her so this is relatively easy. However, if this was my sister's guinea pig it would be an entirely different ball game. 

It is now Sunday and Peanut's eyes do seem to be getting better. I have my fingers crossed that she doesn't need to go back to the vets before Friday!