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Category: Students

Remaining positive and proactive

I’m sure everyone feels as though life gets on top of them from time to time, and vet students – all students, in fact – are no exception.

I think it’s fair to say that I, among many of my friends on the vet course, have often wished for everything to just slow down… to hit pause on life for just a little while and for the world to simply stop.

Never, however, did I, or anyone else, think it could or would happen quite like this.

Place of positivity

I’m talking of course about what everyone else is talking about, COVID-19 – and I know that’s enough to turn a lot of readers away, considering the virus has already consumed so many areas of day-to-day life.

However, while I completely relate to this sentiment, I wanted to use this platform to speak from a place of positivity and proactivity and to remind anyone who does care to read on that we are all in this together.

We will be okay, the world will start spinning again – and, if you happen to be a vet student who has stumbled upon more spare time than you could shake a stick at, here are a few thoughts on how to spend it (ahem… alongside revision, of course).

Student support

While it’s utterly undeniable that everyone is being affected by the current crisis, I think it’s also important to speak from the student perspective.

Masters courses and non-graduating years of professional degrees aside, the class of 2020 is experiencing an end to university life that is entirely unique and, equally, heart breaking.

I think it’s important that those with a few more years until they reach the light at the end of the tunnel really appreciate this and support friends in their final year.

Planning graduation celebration events a few months after the fact gives everyone something to look forward to and remind everyone whose train is currently pulling into the station that, while they thought they still had several exciting and unforgettable stops left, it doesn’t make what they’ve already accomplished any less real or worthy of pride.

Hand(y) advice

This next idea may sound a little obvious, but every little thing goes a long way, and as a girl who found free revision in every public toilet and restaurant in the lead up to her exams I can tell you, you can never be told too often how to wash your hands.

Image by thisispatrice from Pixabay

If you are a vet student at any stage of your career, you already have more medical knowledge than the average person. I put it to you that it is your responsibility to sing it from the rooftops, tell it to anyone who will listen, and then some…

To the old, young or sceptical around you, remind them just why they have to wash their hands and show them how to. Remind them why social distancing is needed when all you want to do when you’re bored, lonely or scared is come together. Remind them how much good they are doing and how such tiny actions that seem completely insignificant can reach, affect, and save so, so, so many lives.

Capacity for kindness

Now for the good will part – and this doesn’t just apply to vet students, but I thought I’d stick it in here anyway for dedicated readers who have made it this far.

I may be paraphrasing politicians (while also being slightly cheesy, yet sincere) when I say, at the end of this, when it’s all said and done, it would be incredible not to look back at the COVID-19 pandemic not only as a crisis, but as a reminder of the capability of our society for demonstrating kindness and compassion.

Reach out

If you yourself are healthy and capable, why not reach out to your local community to see where you can make a difference and make someone’s journey through these uncertain times a little easier.

Volunteering to fetch food for elderly relatives or neighbours, or even just being a friendly voice at the end of the phone to combat the loneliness of isolation, are amazing personal efforts to be proud of – and keeping busy might just keep you sane as well.

April 22, 2020
Always learning
Following the recent plea to the UK Government by the British Veterinary Association, I’ve seen several articles over the past month all addressing the welfare and ethical issues concerning the sale of rabbits by themselves.

I’ll be honest, reading these articles has filled me with a mild sense of guilt as I myself had a single rabbit as my very first pet.

What we consider normal

I think rabbits are quite a common choice for first time pet owners as they give the impression of a very low-maintenance option when compared with a cat or a dog.

However, the general public are sometimes under a misapprehension about what is normal for our pets, especially the small ones. The smaller the animal and the more different from ourselves, the harder it becomes to judge its behaviour and whether its needs are being met.

That is why, for generations, people have been housing their goldfish in bowls and rabbits by themselves. In the same way all fish need a filter, a heat source and environmental stimulation, rabbits need companionship – just like us.

The norm

It makes perfect sense when you think about it: rabbits in the wild are social creatures that live in large colonies to help with rearing young and watching for predators. Primates are the same in that regard; our closest relatives enjoy the perks of group living. Both apes and humans have been seen to suffer from prolonged isolation – it makes us nervous, depressed and can have negative impacts on our health.

Sadly, rabbit research has been a little thin on the ground until recent years, and nobody realised their loved and cherished fluffy friend was lonely or in any way deprived.

Domesticated rabbits have been commonplace in the UK for a long while, although they were originally kept more for food than companionship. While this trend has changed dramatically, the way in which we house our rabbits has not.

The blame game

I loved the rabbit I had as a six-year-old – coming home to Flopsy (do forgive me for my lack of originality) was one of the favourite parts of my day. Neither I nor my parents knew any better than to keep him by himself, or indeed to feed him carrots like they were going out of fashion.

Much like my six-year-old self, an alarming amount of the general public have no idea that carrots for rabbits are like chocolate for us. For such a small animal they are surprisingly high in sugars and since rabbits wouldn’t naturally eat root vegetables as part of their diet and like any good thing, eating too many can impact their health in the long run.

With all of this in mind:
- Who is to blame for all these common misunderstandings? Is it, in fact, the cartoon rabbit franchise with their carrot munching propaganda?
- Is it the owner’s responsibility to research their animal before they bring it home, or is the role of the seller to ensure the buyer is making an informed purchase?
- Does the vet have a duty to triple check the animal management of every pet they see – and is this truly feasible in an average 15-minute consult alongside the routine check-up and actual reason for the appointment?
Collective responsibility

When it comes to understanding our pets, I believe we’ve still got a long way to go – and I don’t think its fair to blame any one person or authority for misconceptions, myths or a general lack of education regarding animal husbandry.

It’s probably best to say it’s down to everyone to do their bit towards making sure every animal is as content and cared for as legitimately as possible. Owners should certainly do their own research when it comes to pet ownership, but it is also the responsibility of every veterinary practitioner to be a willing source for this research.

The pool of information we have on pet care is ever changing and expanding which can hopefully only mean good things for our furry friends.
March 22, 2020
What’s the worst that could happen?

A few years ago, I noticed my family cat had a lump on her neck that seemed to be getting larger. We had it removed by the local vet who told us it was almost certainly benign, and that sending it off for testing would be overly expensive and potentially unhelpful, depending on the results.

These were my pre-vet school years, but I could still appreciate the ethical minefield of chemotherapy in companion animals, as well as the “financial to practicality ratio” of diagnostic medicine.

Although it’s always frustrating not to have a firm answer, we took her home in the hope that all was well.

Worst case

Upon returning home for a weekend recently, I happened upon another lump – much smaller, but in a similar place.

To be honest, it was so long ago I couldn’t remember if the lump was even on the same side, let alone in the exact same location, but my mind immediately leapt to the worst-case scenarios – a myriad of potential diagnoses flashed through my head, along with the treatment plans, prognoses, clinical signs, etc.

It took me a few seconds to slow my train of thought down long enough to remind myself of all the less severe – and also far more likely – causes.

Knowing

I’ve talked about the curse of knowledge before when it comes to working in any medical field – that once you embark on your veterinary training, you lose your ability to appreciate an animal in its own right. Every dog, for example, is no longer just an adorable bundle of fluff, but a walking, barking list of potential things that can go wrong.

They say doctors and nurses make the worst patients – and from experience with friends and family on these courses, I wouldn’t argue otherwise. It probably doesn’t help that, to know how to make the body better, you must also learn everything that can possibly go wrong: a sneeze is no longer just a sneeze…

On reflection I think it’s important to fight this instinct and to recognise that just because something can go wrong, doesn’t mean it will. It sounds nigh on impossible – and perhaps counterproductive, seeing as “planning for the worst-case scenario” and “expecting the unexpected” are all part and parcel of life in clinic.

Sit back and relax?

Nobody wants a vet that’s 100% laid back – it’s the capacity to plan and expect that causes such stress outside of practice, but is so valuable within it.

Switching off is never easy. It’s been said that being a vet is more a lifestyle than a job, and, though I’m still years from graduating, I can already relate.

That being said, I think it’s worth the try. It’s only through switching off that we are able to rest, recuperate and come back stronger. I believe we owe it to ourselves and our clients to try leaving the white coat at the office when we go home at the end of the day.

March 7, 2020
Interview questions

Whenever I meet veterinary students, I am often asked: “What questions should I ask in my job interview?”

For the past eight years, I have sat on the interviewer side of the table and have been asked some great questions.

Here are some I think – as long as it is relevant to your career goals – you could ask:

How many new graduates have you taken on in this hospital?

This is important if you are looking for a supportive practice that is accustomed to taking on inexperienced vets. You can extend this to ask: “How long do they generally stay for?”

Do you have a support system in place?

If the practice doesn’t, don’t go in there expecting it. If it does, it makes the practice accountable to what it says if the support structure is not in place.

What concerns do you have about me?

This is a great question I have used, but I have never been asked by someone I was interviewing.

This opens the forum for the interviewer to voice his or her concerns (if he or she wants to) and allows you address them right then and there.

Sometimes, it may just be a misunderstanding that stops someone from hiring you.

What expectations do you have of me?

The practice may have unrealistic expectations of you. It may expect you to take on too much with inadequate training, knowledge and resources.

It is better to have a conversation and develop an understanding or solutions around those expectations before you start.

What can I do that would make you feel that hiring me was a successful hire?

It is important for you to know your employer‘s markers of success from the start. You want to know if you can achieve them and if you are engaged by them.

What are the major roadblocks that you think I will come up against?

The practice may have experience taking on new grads, and seen what works and what doesn’t. Therefore, it helps to know what interviewer thinks you can do to overcome them.

Asking an interesting question – especially one that challenges the interviewer – is a really great way of being remembered.

March 2, 2020
No strings on me

No one likes change – it’s a scary thing. And there’s perhaps nothing scarier than spending five long years on the course of your childhood dreams, graduating and emerging into general practice, only to find that this might not be for you after all.

Obviously, I’m not speaking from personal experience, but, according to a two-hour seminar my year received from people who really have experienced this, it’s a lot more common than people might think.

But it doesn’t have to be scary at all…

No fear

I think it’s fair to say no one really knows what to expect from vet school until they’re there, and I imagine it’s much the same in the transition from degree to profession.

So far, I have loved every bit of my journey towards becoming a vet, and I’m still really looking forward to everything that’s yet to come. I hope, when I find myself in the real world, I’ll love it every bit as much as I think I will – but if that’s not the case, it’s nice to know so many other options are out there.

After hearing from speakers from large veterinary conglomerates, pharmaceutical representatives and civil service workers, it became apparent that our degree can steer us in so many different directions.

Different strokes

Just because you don’t go in that same direction as most of your cohort, it doesn’t mean those five years of hard work were in vain; veterinarians make very strong candidates in a variety of job markets, and your experience will immediately help you stand out from the sea of other applicants.

No one was lying to you when they said the vet course would teach you transferable skills. Vets are trained to work under pressure, both independently and as a unit, to problem solve and go the extra mile, as well as having a firm knowledge of biology, pharmacology, cytology… the list is nearly endless. Not to mention the extensive interpersonal communication skills that are drilled into us from day one.

The take-home message from the seminar was this: do what makes you happy. Don’t let yourself be bullied by the majority or be swayed by the views of family, friends or cohorts.

(im)Perfect fit

Only you know if something is a perfect fit or if it’s just not working, and the latter is not a failure; it takes a lot of courage to go against the flow and make such a big life-changing decision, but it turns out the rewards can certainly be worth the risks.

There are obviously benefits of having what some of our guest speakers referred to as a “real job”: regular hours, a more predictable work day and a more manageable work-life balance – although they all admitted they did miss working so closely with animals.

I’m still not sure exactly which line of work I’ll settle into in the end. When I was first applying to vet school, I always saw myself as a farm vet, but over the past few years I’ve developed a large interest in exotic species and wildlife. But as long as I find myself in a job I can come home from at the end of the day feeling both happy and fulfilled, there’s nothing else I could really ask for.

February 22, 2020
The third year slump

I never really worried about signing up for a five-year course; friends would gasp at the prospect, but I’d always laugh it off for a multitude of reasons.

If I’m being honest, the part of me worried about leaving the security of secondary school was quite happy to have a set plan for the next half a decade, with most of the major decisions already made for me. It also helps that I’m a bit of a nerd and I’ve always enjoyed learning – not tests, though sadly they seem to come hand in hand – and anyway is it really “work” if you’re doing what you love?

Food for thought

Almost three years on and nothing’s really changed. I still love my course and where I’m heading, and no number of exams could ever diminish the joy of learning something new. But at the same time, as I approach the halfway mark of my course, it’s hard to watch friends I’ve made along the way begin to plan life after their own courses.

When everyone around you is getting ready to begin their next chapter – discussing dissertations and job markets and other truly terrifying adult-sounding-topics – it can be easy to fall into a slump.

The traditional “half-way meal” organised by the third years does help to soften the blow somewhat (food being the ultimate comfort), and also serves as a reminder that getting this far really is an achievement, one we’ve all made together. It helps to think of the next half of the course as the vet student’s version of “the next chapter”, because the shift to clinical years really is a different world – or so I’ve been told.

“…even my avid-clubbing friends are starting to wind down now. The older you get, the more being surrounded by bouncing, wide-eyed freshers are going to take its toll” – says Eleanor Goad.

Mature student

It probably doesn’t help that I’m an old soul, but as you near your fourth year you can start to feel like you’re becoming the pensioners of the campus.

I’ve always been the kind of student who prefers an evening in with a takeaway than a night on the town, but even my avid-clubbing friends are starting to wind down now. The older you get, the more being surrounded by bouncing, wide-eyed freshers are going to take its toll.

I think the hardest part for me about still having so far to go is the constant desire to just get stuck in. When the Australian bush fires crisis began, veterinary professionals around the world migrated in to help and I would have jumped at the chance to have been one of them.

Preserve your virtue

Patience is key in any profession, but I think veterinarians acquire it the hard way. Nevertheless, there’s a lot we can do while we wait for graduation to arrive. Volunteering is the obvious example. However, if you can’t afford a flight to Australia, there are always issues to be tackled closer to home – working to preserve your local wildlife, perhaps at a rescue centre, is as good a cause as any.

Volunteering, work experience, blogging (ahem) or educating those around you on subjects of animal care and well-being are just a few ways you can spend your time in these pre-professional years.

It’s okay if you feel stuck, or in a slump, it’s a pretty common thing. Just don’t wish it all away too quickly, because I bet we’ll miss these years when they’re done.

February 7, 2020
Who runs the world?
Toward the end of my first year at university, a friend of mine stumbled upon a funny online student-made list of “things NOT to expect at vet school”. From memory, I think it included things we all related to such as Christmas holidays (curse you, exams), summer holidays (why, EMS, why?) and “a coolness status to rival the medics” (we are real doctors, I swear).

But what was probably the most relatable, and yet the one nobody really expects before vet school without already being in the know, is: “an abundance of men”.

Now, I’m not saying I signed up to the course for the sole purpose of a live action performance of It’s Raining Men, but, at the same time, you can’t help but be taken aback by the sheer volume of girls compared to guys the first time you walk into that lecture theatre.

While stereotypical – are women more likely to love all things cute and fluffy? – wonders Eleanor Goad.

Why, oh why?

Just to put it into perspective for you, my cohort for the year is roughly 150 students and 10% of those students are male.

According to gender statistics recorded by the Vet Futures project, it’s been like that for some time, in fact, the veterinary graduates’ ratio of female to male has only been increasing over the past few decades.

Nobody is really sure why. In human medicine the ratio is relatively even, so what is it about animals that strikes a chord with women more than men?
- A maternal nature?
- A love for all things fluffy?
Both these solutions seem a little stereotypical and, to be honest, we’re probably most unsure about the reason behind the numbers because nobody wants to touch this landmine of a topic with a 10-foot barge pole.

I really don’t have the answers myself, either – but it’s a curiosity I can’t not address.

Imbalance

I suppose I never noticed it growing up, or even doing work experience prior to vet school – which makes sense when you look again at the statistics as the gender gap seems to rein in after graduation. So, although around 70% of vet graduates are female, the number of practising female vets is more like 50%.

That difference doesn’t seem so odd once you’ve factored in maternity leave, but it’s not the only disparity. Despite the fact the veterinary population spewing out of universities across the country each year is overwhelmingly female, men make up the majority of those working as RCVS specialists, as farm/mixed practice vets and as RCVS fellows – the people committed to advancing the veterinary profession.

In essence, the vets who specialise outside of “general practice” are confusingly male. Positions of power in general practice, such as partner positions, are also held by men in a greater proportion than women.

How can this be?

As a veterinary student with, as yet, only a teeny tiny foot in the clinical world, I can only really speculate.

The best-case scenario for these statistics would be simple chance, that more men happen to have been interested in specialised careers than women, but this seems unlikely. It could also be down to the fact that maternity leave and childcare can unfortunately, but ultimately, lead to a lack of “career propulsion” (for lack of a better term), and can make it a little harder to advance in your profession at the same rate as male peers. More woman might choose job stability over returning to education or pursuing a less predictable career for the same reason.

These outcomes are understandable, but at the same time, nobody should be – or feel as if they are being – held back.

It’s my hope that, in future years, the gap between the genders closes, for more guys to aspire to a veterinary career, and for more practising female veterinary surgeons to pursue whatever career they chose, general or specialised.
January 22, 2020
You got a friend in me

Over the past three years, I’ve found one of the hardest parts about revising at home over the holidays isn’t actually the fact you’re revising at home, but that you’re not revising back at university.

Now let me explain, because I know it sounds odd…

Why would anyone not want to go home for the holidays, or right before some hideous, stressful exams? I will admit the food, festivities, time with family and pets is a nice bolster during revision (and certainly doesn’t hurt), but, at the same time, unless you’re fortunate enough to come home to someone studying the same course as you, and also preparing for exams, there’s nobody around you in the same boat.

One for all…

One thing I really miss when I’m at home, nose deep in textbooks, is that sense of camaraderie that comes with tackling the vet course with a group of friends.

Nobody wants to climb Everest alone, and it can be hard when those around you are enjoying time off and eating mince pies while you sit alone in your room, like the Grinch, muttering to yourself about hygiene laws and ethical quandaries of actual mince.

However, it’s not only during exam season that friends are so vital – they keep you company during the best and worst of everything uni has to throw at you. But, around exams, it’s not untrue that misery loves company. That’s not to say you can’t help pick each other up when the going gets tough, but if you’re all in the tough together, the going might not be so bad after all.

…and all for one

Group revision sessions with lots of chocolate, crisps (and maybe a few tears) are a godsend to me after days of seeing nobody but the animals on my flash cards.

Group revision sessions with lots of chocolate, crisps (and maybe a few tears) are a godsend, says Eleanor. Image © Prostock-studio / Adobe Stock

Spreading the workload among your friends is also a great way to make revision more manageable – and it’s true when they say teaching is one of the best ways to learn.

I’m so lucky to have the supportive network I do, and to know I’m not in it alone. On such a challenging course, it can easy for things to get on top of you (both academically and mentally), but by working together and leaning on each other, you won’t just survive uni – you’ll nail it!

January 7, 2020
A Merry Christmas for all the family

Little things you don’t consider until you spend every waking moment looking at, thinking about, or learning about animals, is how one of our favourite times of year might impact the smaller members of our families.

Awareness is rising on just how traumatic Guy Fawkes night can be for our furry friends, but there is a tendency to bring even more chaos inside the house during the Christmas period.

Anxious pets, or those used to a small household, can find themselves overwhelmed when the whole extended family comes stampeding through the front door – it’s often exhausting for us, so just think how they must feel!

The little things

Take little measures like employing a commercial pheromone infuser in the house a few days before the festivities start to kick in, or give your pet a safe and quiet room in the house away from the main action where they can take refuge. Make sure, of course, that they have plenty of food and water and, perhaps, some comforting items like their favourite bedding and toys.

Now don’t get me wrong, in my eyes Christmas is just as much about stuffing our faces as anything else, but making sure our pets don’t eat anything they shouldn’t is just as, if not more important, at this time of year.

A few things to watch out for include mistletoe, holly and ivy, which are often in plentiful supply at Christmas. Take extra care with house rabbits or any other pets that would normally enjoy tucking into leafy greens. Small pieces of tinsel, plastic bristles from artificial Christmas trees, or wrapping paper can also cause stomach problems if ingested – and nobody wants a festive trip to the vets or dog sick in their stocking come Christmas morning.

If you like to leave mince pies out for Father Christmas, make sure they are out of pets’ reach. Image © Chris Leachman / Adobe Stock

Festive food

Our favourite Christmas foods aren’t a good idea for our pets either, no matter how hard they beg. I know a lot of people are aware just how toxic chocolate can be to dogs and cats, but ingredients such as garlic, onions and alcohol are all equally dangerous. Mince pies also contain a lot of dried fruits, so if you like to leave some out for Father Christmas, take care to put them somewhere they can’t be snaffled before he arrives.

It can feel nice to include our pets in the festivities by giving them an extra helping at dinner as well, but a lot of animals have very sensitive stomachs when it comes to diet changes, and a lot of dogs and many cats don’t have the ability to “self-regulate”, which means they will keep eating after they’re full – a bit like us. This can make them really unwell and have the opposite effect the owner desired.

So, instead, the occasional biscuit treat or a new toy will probably go down just as well.

Teachable moments

Finally, teaching your family and friends all these little things can go a long way to protecting our pets over the holidays.

Little things we take for granted like cracker bangs, festive fireworks, a busy house and lots of food are all parts of Christmas that we’ll never lose – and quite right! But that doesn’t mean our furry friends have to suffer during what’s meant to be one of the most joyful times of the year.

December 22, 2019
Balancing health with a busy schedule

When it comes to a course as busy and hectic as veterinary medicine, it can be easy to let certain things slide – especially around exam time.

There’s the occasional group event, the odd party and, of course, the big one – a healthy lifestyle.

I know from experience that when the grind really sets in, it’s all too easy to let these things go. However, I also know from experience that this can actually be counterproductive.

Hand in hand

When exams are always looming on the horizon, the choice between body or mind can seem like an all too easy one – since they aren’t going to be grading you on the number of vegetables you’ve consumed, or the hours of exercise you’ve done this week, it doesn’t always seem like a choice at all.

That’s why I wanted to give a little reminder that the two do, in fact, go hand in hand, and it is actually achievable to pass your exams and make it through your university years while subsisting on anything other than takeaway meals and four hours of sleep a night.

Working on your problem areas is the first step. If you struggle getting eight hours a night because you always know in the back of your mind there’s still work to be done, set yourself a schedule. During exam season, for example, I don’t let myself work past 8pm and the rest of the evening is for me.

Little and often

Staying on top of your workload on the lead-up to exams also does wonders, and doing “little and often” means you don’t find yourself with a mountain of work that keeps you up late into the night. If you absolutely have to get on top of the work and can’t find the time, try going to bed a little earlier and getting up a little earlier. You might just find you work better after a full night of sleep than blearily rubbing your eyes at gone midnight.

If you struggle to find time to socialise and exercise and when things get busy, one has to go – try joining a sports team or society and combining the two.

If you’re the person who finds it easier to skip meals to get a little extra studying in, just try to take note from what you’re actually studying. If you’re in a medical degree, whatever stage you’re at, you are blessed with the gift (or maybe the curse) of knowledge.

We’re all taught the dangers of under-eating or overeating, how blood sugar affects cognitive function and sleep quality… blah blah blah. These are things we all know like the back of our hand.

So, what’s the point of cramming our brains with all of this content if we don’t act on any of it or use it to our advantage?

“Try going to bed a little earlier and getting up a little earlier. You might just find you work better after a full night of sleep than blearily rubbing your eyes at gone midnight,” says Eleanor.

Consider the future

Now, if this article has struck a chord with you, and you need any more motivation, just think to the future.

I know right now stress is a key driver for skipping meals, exercise and getting a few hours’ sleep, and you might fully intend to break these habits once you’ve graduated and reached the greener grasses on the other side, but the thing to keep in mind is, even if you end up in the veterinary job of your dreams, it won’t be without stress or deadlines, or work always in the back of your mind. All the reasons to skip meals and sleep will still be there.

But if you can get a handle on it now and learn to look after yourself in these early days, it will follow you into the rest of your career.

And, quite frankly, even the most competent vet is going to struggle to command respect if they’re falling asleep at the consult table or giving advice to owners of how to take care of their pets when they’re still struggling to take care of themselves.

Not selfish

I think a lot of vets need to hear this – both students and fresh graduates especially. Your first patient, every day, has to be you.

Remember, you are important, your health is important, and it matters just as much as any of your patients. If you’re not healthy, how can you do what you do to the best of your ability?

By looking after yourself, you are looking after each of the animals you treat. It’s not selfish to look after your body just as much as your mind – it is essential.

December 11, 2019