MONDAY JAN 10, 2010 - INTERESTING AND ROUTINE CASES
Nowadays, I don't accept Junior College students who have NOT been
accepted by Vet colleges for internship as a lot of time and resources
are spent on students coming for work attachments.
However, JC2 students with initiatives can still e-mail to me. Good
work attitude, excellent testimonials from teachers and chances of
getting into Vet colleges in Australia (must have at least 3 As in JC2
preliminary exam) may be accepted as is the author of the case study
report below.
Last month, I rejected a student who had top grades. She did not have
time to come for an interview as she had to study for her A levels. I
was OK with that. After her exams, she did not bring in copies
of her testimonials during the interview. She promised to do so
personally but a few days later, text me to ask if she "could fax
them." I told her not to come for the work attachment.
ADVICE TO THE YOUNG ADULTS
If you are NOT meticulous by forgetting to comply with requirements
and is accepted, you will need to know that you have been given a 2nd
chance. If you expect an organisation to suit your time management (by
faxing and saving your precious time), you may not realise that you
have a poor work attitude. Excellent academic results definitely opens
doors to what you want to do, but the commercial world does not owe
you a living. Therefore, be realistic and humble. It is not what the
organisation can do for you as a Junior College student or
undergraduate vet. It is your work attitude and what you can
contribute to the organisation.
For this first day, the report of this Junior College 2 student who
has not taken Biology during her A levels is good. The info is as
follows:
Case studies with Dr Sing
1) 1-year-old female hamster with right breast tumour
Diagnosis
Lump under the armpit was ~0.8 - 1.0 cm in size. It weighed about 38g.
It could either have an abscess or tumour. Without an operation, the
skin would eventually tear, revealing a large open wound.
Treatment
Surgery was performed to remove the tumour. It was required to stay in
the clinic for 7 days.
DR SING'S COMMENTS
Infection and death follows when the tumour enlarges and
gets ulcerated due to friction and self-induced trauma.
NOT REQUIRED TO STAY. HOWEVER THE OWNER WOULD BE GOING TO
JAPAN FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS AND THERE WAS NOBODY TO NURSE AND GIVE
MEDICATION POST-OP. SURGERY - Zoletil 100 given in 3 drops +
SALINE. Effective. Excise at base of tumour. Continuous 5/0
absorbable stitches. |
2) 1-year-old male guinea pig with paralysed hind legs
Diagnosis
Guinea pig’s hind legs were immobile and it was described to be
lethargic. It registered a low temperature of about 37°C. It weighed
about 777g and was eating and drinking normally. However, there was
pain between the shoulders, indicating possible nerve damage.
Treatment
An injection was administered to relieve the pain.
DR SING'S COMMENTS
Traumatic injury most likely due to a fall inside the crate.
Sudden onset.
I asked: "Any sudden loud noise?". The young lady said: "Yes, at
2 pm. I was sleeping. I saw my guinea pig running fast (pacing)
and hoping energetically."
She had consulted Vet 1 earlier. The vet clipped the front teeth
and probably could not find out what was wrong.
Sometimes, the 2nd vet gets the diagnosis due to the GP not
getting so excited and the medication of the first vet.
I suspected sudden onset traumatic injury. Palpation of the
spinal area is important in this case. The GP shivered when
C3-C5 was pressed and squealed when the area between the
shoulders was palpated. Paraparesis. No placing reflexes. GP
hops instead of walks.
Besides anti-inflammatory
injection SC to relieve the pain, the guinea pig was given
electrolytes. Vet 1 had prescribed Fibreplex and the GP was able
to move the bowels. Was eating and drinking normally but getting
weaker. |
3) 12-year-old crossbred male dog
Diagnosis
It weighed about 17.4kg. It was described to have been scratching its
face and legs, as well as shaking and having difficulty in walking
properly for the past few months. It also had skin and ear infections
and dental problems, thus experiencing toothache and earache. It had a
painful anal sac.
Treatment
Ear injection had to be administered for ear mites. A blood test was
to be taken to check for kidney and liver problems. Complete shaving
was needed before treating the skin infections.
DR SING'S COMMENTS
A 12-YEAR-OLD CROSS-BRED WITH PAINFUL MOUTH. Not groomed for
several months. Ears full of black wax, inguinal area black.
Mouth painful when touched (quite dramatic as the dog bites).
This was due to dental decay esp. the upper PM4 teeth. A risky
thing to do to open the mouth but this needs to be done as part
of diagnosis. Quite smelly. The Junior College student has to be
hands-on. But this dog is a gentle one and so I know he would
not bite when I lifted his side muzzle to show the grey receding
gum upper PM4 to the owners (father and young adult daughter).
The main point was missed by
the Junior College girl. Dental treatment needs to be done after
2 days of IV drips with antibiotics and painkiller first.
|
4) Sterilisation of male stray cat
Diagnosis
Ear mites and a 0.5 cm wound were observed.
Treatment
It had just eaten; hence it was unable to be sterilized on the same
day. It had to stay for at least 1 night and an injection was
administered.
DR SING'S COMMENTS
Stray cats. Infected bite wounds, ear mites and skin infections
need to be treated first before neuter. Economics is the big
problem in cat activists. Toa Payoh Vets do give discounted
rates. |
5) Vaccination lump in puppy
Diagnosis
Small abscess observed in the vaccination area.
Treatment
It was massaged to reduce the size of the lump and antibiotics were
administered.
DR SING'S COMMENTS
It would be some bleeding as the puppy moved a lot during
vaccination. So the pet shop owner had to bring it in for free
treatment. Antibiotics must be given. |
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TOA
PAYOH VETS
