I feel as if I have reached a milestone in my veterinary
training. Last week, I successfully completed my first dog
spay. There were many classes and much training leading up to
this point, including an introduction to anesthesia and surgery
course last year and our current junior surgery course. In
addition to watching countless numbers of spays and neuters while
previously working at an animal shelter, I had assumed this would
be no big deal. I had a team of two other classmates, one
working anesthesia, and one as a surgery assistant. I also had
several professors and technicians as guides during the entire
procedure.
I entered the surgery suite feeling totally prepared, but there
is still the nervousness that comes from the life of another
creature being in your hands. This was not just any patient
for me, but one I had gotten to know pretty well over the previous
week. The dogs and cats we spayed last wee...
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