Dog (Cow and Horse) Days of Summer

Posted August 16, 2018

During this hot, dry summer in Midwestern Ontario, I’ve been thinking about how various animal species adapt to warmer temperatures. During the summer months, it seems fitting to consider how we can best care for our pets and livestock so they stay cool and comfortable.

Dogs are our faithful companions come rain, snow or sunny days. They are already pretty talented at adapting to various temperatures, but with a little awareness and planning we can do our part to help ensure our furry friends stay safe and happy during these “dog days of summer”. Dogs who get too hot are at risk of dehydration, heat...

Arthrodesis, ablations and amputations… oh my!

Posted August 15, 2018

These past couple of weeks at the clinic have been particularly busy since we have been completely booked with referral surgeries. In addition to the usual spays, neuters and mass removals there have been many orthopedic and more complicated surgeries scheduled. When non-routine surgeries need to be booked for patients, a freelance referral surgeon comes into the clinic to perform them. This offers clients...

Happy Long Weekend!

Posted August 7, 2018

Hey everyone! Week three was another busy week at Picton Animal Hospital! This week I got lots of practice with diagnostics, and did my first solo spay surgery!

A quick recap from the quiz in my previous blog (Itching, Scratching and Scooting)

Loving large animal medicine more day-by-day

Posted August 3, 2018

When I first thought about becoming a veterinarian, I have to admit that the thought of working with large animals hardly crossed my mind. Although I’ve always loved all animals, I had also always lived in the city and had only touched a horse or cow a handful of times growing up. Getting to work with horses and cows throughout vet school definitely improved my confidence with these animals...

Eastman: Externship Vlog #1

Posted August 1, 2018

OVC Externship student, Eastman, shares what he has learned about the Dairy Industry in New Zealand while on externship this summer at Levin and Horowhenua Veterinary Services in Levin, New Zealand

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Itching, Scratching, and Scooting!

Posted July 26, 2018

Hey team, hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

Happy Long Weekend!

Posted July 26, 2018

Hey everyone! Week three was another busy week at Picton Animal Hospital! This week I got lots of practice with diagnostics, and did my first solo spay surgery!

A quick recap from the quiz in my previous blog (Itching, Scratching and Scooting). In the photo on the right, this is a tapeworm segment! The rest of the worm is still living in the small intestine of this cat, and the infection can be treated with one dose of...

Cuddling puppies all day is only part of the job!

Posted July 26, 2018

Puppy appointments are always my favourite part of the day! At the clinic we are very grateful when breeders and pet owners bring their puppies in to be assessed for any health problems and started on a preventative medicine plan. Veterinary care should begin right at the beginning of puppyhood with regular deworming and implementation of vaccines. Due to their age and immature immune systems, puppies have a higher risk than adults for...

This is where it begins

Posted July 26, 2018

I remember when veterinarians told me that four years of veterinary school would fly by before I even noticed, I didn’t believe them - not when I was in the same classroom all day every day, and most definitely not during the exam marathons. Yet here I am, getting ready for my eight-week externship. I am never a light packer. And usually the more I think about what I need, the more I throw into my bags. Better to be prepared than sorry, right? So, a couple pairs of scrubs, coveralls, steel-toed boots, change of clothes, snacks, insect repellent, notebooks, etc. etc., in they go, and everything is packed into...

Transitioning from the Classroom to the Clinic

Posted July 19, 2018

It's bizarre how the past three years of vet school have flown by in the blink of an eye. I can still remember being that wide-eyed first year who was keen to learn everything under the sun. Each year was markedly different than the one before, and while the days and weeks seemed to last forever, the months passed by and the next year had arrived before I even knew it.

Phase 3, the final didactic year, was a whirlwind of emotions. While being...