Class of 2021 . . . how ya doin?

[cheathac]

I feel this.

I don't have to deal with the aggressive breed stigma, but I do have the "multiple pets and landlords don't like that" issue. I've gotten very lucky with the rental I'm in now, but I really don't desire to repeat the painful process of seeking a rental that accepts my animals.

Definitely feel you on that. It's been the most stressful part of moving for me. A lot of places had no availability for moving in June and since I start work July 1 I really need to move in sometime in June lol. My fiancee and I are saving up for a house so hopefully after this year we will have something to own and won't have to jump through hoops in apartments anymore. I hope that being veterinarians would help us in the pet/apartment world. I realize not all veterinarians are good pet owners but I feel like going through 8 years of hell would make us a safer bet in having pets in an apartment.

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[kaydubs]

Dropping the vet tidbit to apartment complexes seems to have varying degrees of success. I’ve heard success with house rentals but hey, all depends on the person’s experience with the vet school world. Could be complete opposites of the spectrum 😅

 

[JaynaAli]

I put in an offer on a house this week and I will assure you that is very stressful as well, lol. Different stresses but still very stressful.

 

[finnickthedog]

I start work on Monday and I'm officially a nervous wreck.

 

[battie]

I start work on Monday and I'm officially a nervous wreck.

Good luck!! I started this last Monday and can say I need to make some drug and simple treatment cheat sheets in my notebook. But it has been way better than clinics!!!

 

[WildZoo]

Can't remember if I've said it here but I highly recommend the Getting Through the Day and Getting Through the Night courses on VIN. If you search for either it should take you to the archives for both. And the first GTTN course for this year is still open for registration, I think. Check the CE section.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I put in an offer on a house this week and I will assure you that is very stressful as well, lol. Different stresses but still very stressful.

Oh yeah... especially when that down payment drops out of your bank account. Oof. And despite all the inspections and stuff you have no idea how much of a money pit the house is going to end up being.

 

[Coopah]

Week 1 of internship down! They are very clearly babying us and I appreciate it lol. One cat comes in as a referral for chylous effusion and they look at it and go.... why don't you take the ear infection

Other than some scheduling issues it's been a good week. Hopefully, I continue to like this place as the year goes on but I am really enjoying it so far. For anyone who hasn't started work yet, I think most places, like here, don't expect you to know everything so it's ok. Also it is super weird introducing yourself as a doctor the first time to a client

 

[DVMdreamcometrue]

Week 1 of internship down! They are very clearly babying us and I appreciate it lol. One cat comes in as a referral for chylous effusion and they look at it and go.... why don't you take the ear infection

Other than some scheduling issues it's been a good week. Hopefully, I continue to like this place as the year goes on but I am really enjoying it so far. For anyone who hasn't started work yet, I think most places, like here, don't expect you to know everything so it's ok. Also it is super weird introducing yourself as a doctor the first time to a client

Congrats! Will start my internship in one week, the day after driving 9+ hours back from attending our last-minute-happening in-person graduation ceremony and having swing shifts starting on my third day

BTW, do you guys introduce yourself to clients as "Dr. FirstName" or "Dr. LastName" or "Dr. FirstName LastName"?

 

[kaydubs]

I almost always go with Dr. LastName

 

[WildZoo]

I almost always go with Dr. LastName

Same

 

[ResoluteMike]

Week 1 of internship down! They are very clearly babying us and I appreciate it lol. One cat comes in as a referral for chylous effusion and they look at it and go.... why don't you take the ear infection

Other than some scheduling issues it's been a good week. Hopefully, I continue to like this place as the year goes on but I am really enjoying it so far. For anyone who hasn't started work yet, I think most places, like here, don't expect you to know everything so it's ok. Also it is super weird introducing yourself as a doctor the first time to a client

My problem was going back to the same clinic I worked at. My mouth goes on autopilot and I say, "Hi! I'm Mike, the Doctor's assistant."

 

[Trilt]

Clients get Dr. Lastname, other doctors (like, if on the phone) get Dr. First+Lastname.

Exception being that if clients ask again to try and remember my name I usually drop Dr first+lastname. I have a really common name and fairly common last name so try to give people enough to remember, haha.

 

[JaynaAli]

This isn’t what is being asked, but As a specialist who takes phone calls/messages from other doctors, I find it extremely helpful if you introduce yourself as Dr Whatever in your voicemail or when I pick up. I don’t care what you call yourself after doctor, but knowing you’re the doctor is helpful to me. 90-95% of my calls are from vets and I assume callers are DVMs, but occasionally it’s a tech or the dreaded owner that got my number off a report and it’s hard to figure out who you’re talking to. So I really appreciate those people who say “hi I’m dr so-n-so from sick pet animal hospital calling about accession 4603827468” from the outset.

 

[finnickthedog]

Day one wasn't bad.

My license still hasn't been issued so I'm not really being a vet yet, but that's okay because I need to get oriented with everything anyways.

 

[twelvetigers]

I putting an offer on a house this week and I will assure you that is very stressful as well, lol. Different stresses but still very stressful.

Building a house from scratch also quite stressful, can confirm.

 

[battie]

BTW, do you guys introduce yourself to clients as "Dr. FirstName" or "Dr. LastName" or "Dr. FirstName LastName"?

My hospital has a culture of Dr. First Name. I'll introduce me as Dr. First Last Name. And, as an extension, I'm going by my maiden name for work stuff.

 

[JaynaAli]

Building a house from scratch also quite stressful, can confirm.

Ugh. I’m planning to do that in a few years too. The house in the country I wanted isn’t available where I want it right now so I settled for a house in town for a while. Not surprised it’s stressful building, but ugh.

 

[SkiOtter]

Ugh. I’m planning to do that in a few years too. The house in the country I wanted isn’t available where I want it right now so I settled for a house in town for a while. Not surprised it’s stressful building, but ugh.

Always put in more electrical outlets than you think you need. Also attend your electrical walk through and make sure **** is where it should be 🙃
My only two tips

 

[Minnerbelle]

I always introduce myself as Dr. Lastname, but then tell clients a lot of people call me Dr. Firstname, and that’s honky dory too.

 

[JaynaAli]

Always put in more electrical outlets than you think you need. Also attend your electrical walk through and make sure **** is where it should be 🙃
My only two tips

For real though, I hate it when bathrooms don’t have more than one outlet. I can never plug in both my hair dryer and straightener at the same time because there’s just one little outlet and the big rectangle plugs won’t stack on top of each other. Give me more bathroom outlets!

I’ve got a lot of re-saving to do before I can build...with no interest and payments on my student loans from COVID I’ve been able to save and buy this current house but there are sooooo many expenses. But even though it isn’t a forever home it’ll still be a better deal than renting for sure. And my dogs will have a yard!

 

[SkiOtter]

For real though, I hate it when bathrooms don’t have more than one outlet. I can never plug in both my hair dryer and straightener at the same time because there’s just one little outlet and the big rectangle plugs won’t stack on top of each other. Give me more bathroom outlets!

I’ve got a lot of re-saving to do before I can build...with no interest and payments on my student loans from COVID I’ve been able to save and buy this current house but there are sooooo many expenses. But even though it isn’t a forever home it’ll still be a better deal than renting for sure. And my dogs will have a yard!

Yay for a yard!!!!! I cannot wait to be able to give Goob a yard

 

[Rainheart]

Ugh. I’m planning to do that in a few years too. The house in the country I wanted isn’t available where I want it right now so I settled for a house in town for a while. Not surprised it’s stressful building, but ugh.

I really want to build a home but it won't be for a long while with the shortages right now

 

[Rainheart]

Apartment complex was iffy on my dog since she's an "aggressive" breed. Sent them a couple of pics with her used as a therapy dog with kids and they're like "she is gorgeous. We will discuss pet owner policies once you arrive." I'm hoping I'm in the clear now lol...... can't wait to own a home so I don't have to deal with this

There can still be a lot of restrictions when it comes to homeowners insurance with 'aggressive' breeds...

 

[finnickthedog]

I am now a licensed veterinarian

 

[Coopah]

I am now a licensed veterinarian

Me too! Just got my state license and I'm so EXCITED! Actually got to prescribe drugs yesterday

 

[vetmedhead]

I wish my state would quit ****ing losing everything and telling me to do the exact same things over and over again so I could actually get a license

 

[twelvetigers]

For real though, I hate it when bathrooms don’t have more than one outlet. I can never plug in both my hair dryer and straightener at the same time because there’s just one little outlet and the big rectangle plugs won’t stack on top of each other. Give me more bathroom outlets!

I’ve got a lot of re-saving to do before I can build...with no interest and payments on my student loans from COVID I’ve been able to save and buy this current house but there are sooooo many expenses. But even though it isn’t a forever home it’ll still be a better deal than renting for sure. And my dogs will have a yard!

We will (well, we DO) have 10 acres. So yes, a very large yard. We will be very generous with outlets as @SkiOtter suggested. We also made most of is ADA accessible so that we have options in the future if needed. Really trying to make this a forever house.

Craftsman style. It’ll be nice.

For anyone else thinking of starting to build, lumber went up ANOTHER 11% this month. Please just wait. It’s getting dumb. We were in it too far to go back. And thankfully we bought before this 11% happened (but still added like $20k to the total over what it should have been).

 

[SkiOtter]

STORAGE SPACES. Make more than you think you could ever possibly need. And then when you think that you have enough, put in more

 

[vetmedhead]

We will (well, we DO) have 10 acres. So yes, a very large yard. We will be very generous with outlets as @SkiOtter suggested. We also made most of is ADA accessible so that we have options in the future if needed. Really trying to make this a forever house.

Craftsman style. It’ll be nice.

For anyone else thinking of starting to build, lumber went up ANOTHER 11% this month. Please just wait. It’s getting dumb. We were in it too far to go back. And thankfully we bought before this 11% happened (but still added like $20k to the total over what it should have been).

ADA accessible is soooo nice and you never realize it until you need it. But wider doorways alone are worth it. Is also recommend into looking at toilet seats that are ADA compliant height, it's weird how much of a difference those extra inches make when it comes to comfort and ease of getting up if you are unfortunate enough to have some injuries down the road. Heck even if you just have some run of the mill knee stuff those toilets are nice

 

[SkiOtter]

ADA accessible is soooo nice and you never realize it until you need it. But wider doorways alone are worth it. Is also recommend into looking at toilet seats that are ADA compliant height, it's weird how much of a difference those extra inches make when it comes to comfort and ease of getting up if you are unfortunate enough to have some injuries down the road. Heck even if you just have some run of the mill knee stuff those toilets are nice

Tell me more about taller toilets

 

[vetmedhead]

Tell me more about taller toilets

My mom got some on the recommendation of her doctor when her knees started going to hell and she was having a lot of mobility issues, apparently the ergonomics of them being taller makes it easier on your knees and back just with the mechanics of getting up and down. They're about chair height

 

[SkiOtter]

My mom got some on the recommendation of her doctor when her knees started going to hell and she was having a lot of mobility issues, apparently the ergonomics of them being taller makes it easier on your knees and back just with the mechanics of getting up and down. They're about chair height

Amazing
Because I already have **** knees and a **** back
Future me is putting these in my house

 

[vetmedhead]

Amazing
Because I already have **** knees and a **** back
Future me is putting these in my house

Yup! Look up comfort height toilets, those are the ones that meet the ADA height requirements

 

[Minnerbelle]

For anyone else thinking of starting to build, lumber went up ANOTHER 11% this month. Please just wait. It’s getting dumb. We were in it too far to go back. And thankfully we bought before this 11% happened (but still added like $20k to the total over what it should have been).

No kidding!!! We are going to wait a while to redo our splintery 80foot deck… we were going to use synthetic so we don’t have to keep treating the enormous deck, but our contractor said that due to the lumber cost spike, the synthetic costs have also skyrocketed.

 

[twelvetigers]

ADA accessible is soooo nice and you never realize it until you need it. But wider doorways alone are worth it. Is also recommend into looking at toilet seats that are ADA compliant height, it's weird how much of a difference those extra inches make when it comes to comfort and ease of getting up if you are unfortunate enough to have some injuries down the road. Heck even if you just have some run of the mill knee stuff those toilets are nice

I am noting this and will look into it, no **** (pun intended)

 

[finnickthedog]

So class of 2021... how is being a real vet going?

I'm nosy.

 

[battie]

So class of 2021... how is being a real vet going?

I'm nosy.

Going okay. I was nervous my very first case, and then my first call backs. But I think I'm finding my groove. Bless my previous retail experience; definitely is my saving grace when talking to people.

In a huge (18ish doc) practice. Understaffed across the board, but interviewing for staff literally every day. If anyone is looking for a reception/TA/tech position in the south Denver metro, let me know.

Still waiting for my vet board to evaluate my transcripts and issue my license -_-

 

[EngrSC]

Any of y'all doing internships?

 

[SkiOtter]

Any of y'all doing internships?

I know @Coopah is in a rotating one and @cdo96 is doing a specialty internship

 

[cdo96]

Any of y'all doing internships?

I know @Coopah is in a rotating one and @cdo96 is doing a specialty internship

Yes correct! To my understanding (and I’m so sorry if I missed anyone):

@mmmdreamerz and @Coopah are doing rotating internships. @vetmedhead is doing a shelter med internship. @PippyPony is doing an internship (not sure if she’s posted what kind she
is doing). I’m doing an ECC internship.

 

[EngrSC]

Yes correct! To my understanding (and I’m so sorry if I missed anyone):

@mmmdreamerz and @Coopah are doing rotating internships. @vetmedhead is doing a shelter med internship. @PippyPony is doing an internship (not sure if she’s posted what kind she
is doing). I’m doing an ECC internship.

How’s intern life so far?

 

[Coopah]

How’s intern life so far?

I woke up from a 16 hour shift that turned into such a ridiculous **** show I wanted to cry... but on the bright side everyone keeps saying it gets worse!

In all honestly I'm learning a crap ton and I have a lot of support at my current clinic. Thankfully this is my weekend so I don't hate life right now. Turns out I attract the crazy cases here too. I don't think it's going away any time soon, but that just means I'll be really good at managing them right?

I've already run codes, done procedures, and euthanized things (such is ER life). I suppose I'll see what happens when I rotate off ER.

 

[cdo96]

How’s intern life so far?

I don’t start until July 1st, but the cool thing is that during the first like 2 weeks in orientation, they have an ECC bootcamp to review common ER cases and how to treat them, discuss and practice ER procedures (cut downs, endoscopy, tracheostomy, O2 tubes, NG/NE tubes, central lines). So for 2 weeks we’re 50% in the “classroom” and 50% on the floor with a DACVECC.

 

[EngrSC]

I don’t start until July 1st, but the cool thing is that during the first like 2 weeks in orientation, they have an ECC bootcamp to review common ER cases and how to treat them, discuss and practice ER procedures (cut downs, endoscopy, tracheostomy, O2 tubes, NG/NE tubes, central lines). So for 2 weeks we’re 50% in the “classroom” and 50% on the floor with a DACVECC.

What an awesome way to do things! I love that!

 

[Coopah]

I don’t start until July 1st, but the cool thing is that during the first like 2 weeks in orientation, they have an ECC bootcamp to review common ER cases and how to treat them, discuss and practice ER procedures (cut downs, endoscopy, tracheostomy, O2 tubes, NG/NE tubes, central lines). So for 2 weeks we’re 50% in the “classroom” and 50% on the floor with a DACVECC.

Yeah I also had a two week orientation where they covered most ER things. No procedures though, that's cool!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

I don’t start until July 1st, but the cool thing is that during the first like 2 weeks in orientation, they have an ECC bootcamp to review common ER cases and how to treat them, discuss and practice ER procedures (cut downs, endoscopy, tracheostomy, O2 tubes, NG/NE tubes, central lines). So for 2 weeks we’re 50% in the “classroom” and 50% on the floor with a DACVECC.

We also had an ER procedures lab (cut-downs/tracheostomy/NG tubes/thoracocentesis/chest tubes/ open chest CPR) that I thought was really great.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

How’s intern life so far?

It's exhausting. But I'm learning a ton. I was on ER all last weekend before spending a week on medicine. Being a doctor is hard haha. It's absolutely nothing like being a student haha

 

[Coopah]

Advice from anyone in ER. Look up doses of CPR meds. Now you might think, just look at the chart! Yeah do that too, but also **** like benadryl and dex SP. Trust me you do not want to look that **** up in the moment and then have to find a clinician to approve it because you don't know what you're doing.

 

[Trilt]

Advice from anyone in ER. Look up doses of CPR meds. Now you might think, just look at the chart! Yeah do that too, but also **** like benadryl and dex SP. Trust me you do not want to look that **** up in the moment and then have to find a clinician to approve it because you don't know what you're doing.

Atropine is 1mL/20bs.

Epi is weight in lbs, divide by two, move the decimal point - or just weight in kgs, move decimal... but realistically, I don't do drug calculations for that. Just 0.05mL tiny dog/cat, 0.1mL small dog, 0.2mL slightly bigger dog, 0.3mL medium dog, 0.4mL lab, 0.5mL big big dog.

They're dead. ODing a titch ain't gonna make it worse. Half the time they're rushed in and you don't have a real weight anyway, and getting your compressions going is more important anyway.

I'm five years out, almost a year into ER work and def don't have benadryl doses memorized...