Vet Times

Tag: University

  • Under the microscope: lessons from pathology rotation

    Under the microscope: lessons from pathology rotation

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    The past couple of weeks on rotation have largely consisted of looking down a microscope or performing postmortems – and despite clinical and anatomic pathology being very different, a running theme seemed to exist across both. On the clinical pathology week, we pored over slide after slide of blood smears and cytology samples, trying to…

  • The blind leading the blind

    The blind leading the blind

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    As part of one of our small animal rotations, I spent a couple of days with the ophthalmology service at the University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital. Not exactly the most clued-up on eyes, I was going in almost blind. I had an idea of common eye conditions and how to manage them, but recognising…

  • Musings on a month in Morocco

    Musings on a month in Morocco

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    Obviously I’m biased, but I think the University of Glasgow offers the best selective rotation options of the vet schools in the UK. Numerous opportunities exist to go abroad, with a variety of options based on species or type of practice. The traveller in me was never going to pass up an opportunity to take…

  • Bob Michell: a tribute

    Bob Michell: a tribute

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    I never met Bob Michell. I never spoke to him and, as far as I’m aware, he never knew my name. I’m not a follower of veterinary politics, hence I was (and, for the most part, remain) unaware of his many achievements. Despite all this, he had a profound influence on my outlook and my…

  • The consequences of making a mistake

    The consequences of making a mistake

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    Fertility work makes up a large proportion of cattle veterinary work in the UK and, after spending a month on the farm rotation at university, I can appreciate the importance of getting it right – and how hard it can be. Experienced large animal vets make it look easy – they scan the uterus and…

  • The consigned colleague conundrum

    The consigned colleague conundrum

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    Many universities put veterinary students into groups for final year rotations, in which they remain for the year. Others keep students in the same group for the majority of rotations and shuffle them around for selectives only. However, selective rotations at the University of Glasgow run throughout the year and, to accommodate as many of…

  • Change for the better

    Change for the better

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    The UK veterinary profession is suffering. While a documented shortage of graduates does not exist as in previous years, significantly less fuss has been kicked up about the announcement of the new Aberystwyth-in-conjunction-with-RVC vet school, compared with the opening of the Surrey Vet School in 2014. Is this because we knew Aberystwyth was in the…

  • Lectures, laughs and looking ahead in Lancaster

    Lectures, laughs and looking ahead in Lancaster

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    I recently attended the infamous Lancaster weekend, which many final-year veterinary students and graduates will have heard much about. The theme being “Your first job”, it is an annual weekend of lectures, seminars and group activities based around finding your feet as a graduated vet when pushed out into the big wide world – for…

  • No harm infection control

    No harm infection control

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    Like most RVNs, I like a good clean. This is never at home though, obviously – it’s all about a sparkling work place. I love to smell disinfectant and have everything shiny – especially a ward. Once all the patients are medicated and calm, curled up sleeping, it’s not unusual to find me quietly ensuring…

  • Don’t you even care?

    Don’t you even care?

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    “I’m telling you, I haven’t got the money! Are you going to leave her like this? She’s in pain! Don’t you even care?” If you haven’t heard this sentence already then don’t worry – you will. The problem with trying to make money out of pain and suffering is… well, frequently, you’re dealing with suffering…