RANT HERE thread

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My kitty vomited 7-8 times last night and I found something this morning that is making me really worried about a FB. The boss is OOT so off we go to the vet school. Sigh.
 
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My kitty vomited 7-8 times last night and I found something this morning that is making me really worried about a FB. The boss is OOT so off we go to the vet school. Sigh.

so sorry mmm 🙁 sending good thoughts to you and your kitty. my cat eats a lot of non-food items so I totally relate to the worry.
 
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My kitty vomited 7-8 times last night and I found something this morning that is making me really worried about a FB. The boss is OOT so off we go to the vet school. Sigh.
@mmmdreamerz, hope your cat is okay. Sending lots of good thoughts to you and to your cat.
 
Physics is killing me... I've never taken any physics class before ever, and It's been a while since I've taken math- so some of the pre-calc concepts are lost on me. I don't even know how to study for this, but I sure am putting in a lot of time.

Wish I had time this semester to volunteer at clinics- the farm im interning at is cool too, but I miss being in a hospital setting...
 
Physics is killing me... I've never taken any physics class before ever, and It's been a while since I've taken math- so some of the pre-calc concepts are lost on me. I don't even know how to study for this, but I sure am putting in a lot of time.

Wish I had time this semester to volunteer at clinics- the farm im interning at is cool too, but I miss being in a hospital setting...

I hated Physics. I just found it really dry and boring. Just another hoop to jump through, but you can do it!
 
After about a week of no soda, I relented and decided to let myself have a Coke with lunch today... needless to say, it did not go well. It ripped my GI tract a new one and had me rushing to the bathroom within five minutes of finishing. 🙁

I feel like I really just should stop drinking soda entirely. I thought that maybe one a week would be okay but, urgh, something about it just does not agree with my stomach.
@cdoconn take note.
 
Stopped by a professor's office today for which I am TAing a class. Good thing I did because I wasn't added to the class on Canvas (think blackboard) or on the list serv. Missed the training lab and the students' first lab because of this. I emailed him last week with no response and hadn't been able to catch him on campus until today. Just a little frustrated over how things have started now that I'm a TA. He was a great professor when I took the class last year but now I get to see the other side I guess:sorry:
 
I hated Physics. I just found it really dry and boring. Just another hoop to jump through, but you can do it!

I just failed another assignment cool lol. Guess ive got to start going to going to his office hours every day....ive already spent $200 on a semester tutoring packet... I just don't get it, already so behind ugh
 
I just failed another assignment cool lol. Guess ive got to start going to going to his office hours every day....ive already spent $200 on a semester tutoring packet... I just don't get it, already so behind ugh
Have you been working through lots of problems at home, and making sure you understand what you are doing vs. memorizing what you did? One thing that helped me was working through problems, and explaining the why/what/how of each step with someone each time. (Preferably a TA or the prof if they were available)
 
Have you been working through lots of problems at home, and making sure you understand what you are doing vs. memorizing what you did? One thing that helped me was working through problems, and explaining the why/what/how of each step with someone each time. (Preferably a TA or the prof if they were available)

Yeah, thats one of my problems: I'm having some trouble finding enough practice problems haha. There's some in the book- but honestly im so lost I don't know how to do any of them well enough to practice... This class is making gen chem feel like a breeze haha
 
Yeah, thats one of my problems: I'm having some trouble finding enough practice problems haha. There's some in the book- but honestly im so lost I don't know how to do any of them well enough to practice... This class is making gen chem feel like a breeze haha
What unit are you on? I could try to help you out if it was one of the ones I'm strong in.

Have you asked your prof for suggestions on where to find help/more problems? They will probably have some suggestions.
 
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Yeah, thats one of my problems: I'm having some trouble finding enough practice problems haha. There's some in the book- but honestly im so lost I don't know how to do any of them well enough to practice... This class is making gen chem feel like a breeze haha

Sorry you are struggling. I pretty much use the same method for studying for classes like math, physics, ochem, etc and it might help you a smidge. Go through all example problems you did in class. Figure out what it is exactly you don't understand conceptually about certain problems and look up videos online that explain the concepts, in addition to asking your prof/TA. When you clear up said concept, try example problems of the same topic but that are slightly different to see if you actually understand or not. After trial and error with that system you should be able to make some progress.

BBC gave really good advice above so I didn't really need to say this, I just thought it might help a little.

Also, it sounds like you might be struggling with some math concepts. I really like math so feel free to shoot me a pm if you need any help with specific concepts. If you have a hard time with some of the math, definitely figure that out before you jump into the physics concepts. That will help a lot.

edit: I also wanted to add that a lot of people struggle with physics, so definitely don't beat yourself up or be afraid to ask "silly" questions. Not having a physics class before makes it even harder. You can do it!
 
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What unit are you on? I could try to help you out if it was one of the ones I'm strong in.

Have you asked your prof for suggestions on where to find help/more problems? They will probably have some suggestions.
Kinnematics and vectors! There's a lot of pre-calc referneces, seeing as it's a pre-req and all, but I took that class a year ago, and a different school, and essentially learned nothing tbh...
 
Sorry you are struggling. I pretty much use the same method for studying for classes like math, physics, ochem, etc and it might help you a smidge. Go through all example problems you did in class. Figure out what it is exactly you don't understand conceptually about certain problems and look up videos online that explain the concepts, in addition to asking your prof/TA. When you clear up said concept, try example problems of the same topic but that are slightly different to see if you actually understand or not. After trial and error with that system you should be able to make some progress.

BBC gave really good advice above so I didn't really need to say this, I just thought it might help a little.

Also, it sounds like you might be struggling with some math concepts. I really like math so feel free to shoot me a pm if you need any help with specific concepts. If you have a hard time with some of the math, definitely figure that out before you jump into the physics concepts. That will help a lot.

edit: I also wanted to add that a lot of people struggle with physics, so definitely don't beat yourself up or be afraid to ask "silly" questions. Not having a physics class before makes it even harder. You can do it!

Thanks! I do need to work on paying closer attention in class, or maybe sitting closer. I have a bad habit with school where I tend to migrate towards the back of the room and never participate- which i can get away with in small classes, but with 150+ lecture halls, I can't even see the board from there lol. I'm Hoping I can figure it out soon! I have an exam in every class in the next 1.5 weeks so hopefully my physics grade doesn't get screw in the beginning haha
 
An alum of my school who has been living in SC for 7 years and has a green card is not allowed to leave Dubai because of the immigration ban. On top of that, she can't take care of her dog who is still in the US.


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An alum of my school who has been living in SC for 7 years and has a green card is not allowed to leave Dubai because of the immigration ban. On top of that, she can't take care of her dog who is still in the US.


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I think I saw her post going around Facebook, it's so awful. 🙁
 
Education :bang:
Immigration:bang:
Religion:bang:
Reproduction:bang:
Free Speech :bang:
Health Care:bang:

I have a kiddo with Special Needs. When the nominee for Education doesn't know what IDEA is, and then writes a letter to explain her stupidity that uses an excuse that promotes a loophole that allows private schools to make parents sign away any rights under IDEA...

When another nominee compares people with pre-existing conditions to burnt down houses...

When friends are locked out of the country, or locked in and afraid of what happens next because their name is Muhammed...

When scientist friends are told to stop looking at research that goes against current policies...

(I hate posting politics on FB and I started. :help:)
 
Why does my sister's dog have to be the tough case that will never resolve? 🙁

Right?

2015 Dec my parents were leaving MN for their wintering in FL. Their 7-yr-old Aussie had gotten into some pumpkin pie or something like that a few days before leaving, and was having some mild GI signs. I scanned him literally on their way out of town, wasn't impressed, sent them with metronidazole.

Kinda waxed/waned. A month later they go into a vet down in Florida, who runs bloodwork. Albumin was 1.8 or something like that, but according to my parents the vet shrugged it off and gave them more metronidazole. Didn't improve. They went back, still hypoalbuminemic, and still that vet shrugged it off. I heard about it a week later and said "Go to a different vet." They did, rechecked, Albumin still low. That vet referred them to a specialist for GI workup (ultrasound, GI panel, etc.).... dx'd IBD. Started steroid therapy. No improvement. Scoped him for biopsies, path consistent with IBD. He just keeps getting worse, ends up hospitalized on steroids, other immunomodulatory drugs, lyophilized albumin, vet starch, typical GI supportive meds, etc. No improvement, just keeps spiraling down the drain with his PLE. Starts filling up with fluid in the abdomen, etc. $7000 in the hole he's euthanized for his IBD that wasn't responsive to therapy.

Of course it's my parents' dog that doesn't respond to what really was the very best therapy possible.

I feel ya. Family member pets can really suck.
 
Education :bang:
Immigration:bang:
Religion:bang:
Reproduction:bang:
Free Speech :bang:
Health Care:bang:

I have a kiddo with Special Needs. When the nominee for Education doesn't know what IDEA is, and then writes a letter to explain her stupidity that uses an excuse that promotes a loophole that allows private schools to make parents sign away any rights under IDEA...

When another nominee compares people with pre-existing conditions to burnt down houses...

When friends are locked out of the country, or locked in and afraid of what happens next because their name is Muhammed...

When scientist friends are told to stop looking at research that goes against current policies...

(I hate posting politics on FB and I started. :help:)
I urge you to find a group in your community where you can voice your concerns to your local leaders. I just found one in my city and I can't wait to go to the next meeting. Mostly because I felt completely helpless, but hopefully now I will have the ability to stand against Trump's agenda and make a difference. Also, donate if you can.
 
I urge you to find a group in your community where you can voice your concerns to your local leaders. I just found one in my city and I can't wait to go to the next meeting.
I called Senators.

The group from CO was very involved. The one here doesn't understand their legal rights really, so I feel like I am explaining to the leadership why being denied by a school or not following an IEP or teachers editing it without parents present is all illegal.
 
I called Senators.

The group from CO was very involved. The one here doesn't understand their legal rights really, so I feel like I am explaining to the leadership why being denied by a school or not following an IEP or teachers editing it without parents present is all illegal.
Well, educate them, lady!
 
Right?

2015 Dec my parents were leaving MN for their wintering in FL. Their 7-yr-old Aussie had gotten into some pumpkin pie or something like that a few days before leaving, and was having some mild GI signs. I scanned him literally on their way out of town, wasn't impressed, sent them with metronidazole.

Kinda waxed/waned. A month later they go into a vet down in Florida, who runs bloodwork. Albumin was 1.8 or something like that, but according to my parents the vet shrugged it off and gave them more metronidazole. Didn't improve. They went back, still hypoalbuminemic, and still that vet shrugged it off. I heard about it a week later and said "Go to a different vet." They did, rechecked, Albumin still low. That vet referred them to a specialist for GI workup (ultrasound, GI panel, etc.).... dx'd IBD. Started steroid therapy. No improvement. Scoped him for biopsies, path consistent with IBD. He just keeps getting worse, ends up hospitalized on steroids, other immunomodulatory drugs, lyophilized albumin, vet starch, typical GI supportive meds, etc. No improvement, just keeps spiraling down the drain with his PLE. Starts filling up with fluid in the abdomen, etc. $7000 in the hole he's euthanized for his IBD that wasn't responsive to therapy.

Of course it's my parents' dog that doesn't respond to what really was the very best therapy possible.

I feel ya. Family member pets can really suck.

Oh jeez, some similarities! My sister's dog is a 2yo MN Boston who started with GI signs ~9mos. I'm their vet (right? -sigh-) diagnosed giardia, treated, seemed a little better but relapsed. Broad spectrum dewormer, multiple rounds of metronidazole, +/- sulfasalazine, probiotics, bland diet etc, no improvement. Full BW WNL including 'lytes. Dog is still totally happy, eats, occ vomits. Then one day they thought he'd eaten some rope toy. Abd rads -very- suspicious for GIFB, went in with a coworker...nothing. Biopsies said either food allergy or IBD. So we're in the middle of the food trial now, no response, sister's bf wants to stop food trial, I beg them to continue since they're half way there. Don't want to start down the steroid path since he's so young but UGH. Talked to sister yesterday and planned GI panel next, considering resting Cortisol just to be sure. But I'm at my wits end! I've offered referral but I have the dang biopsies, what else are they going to say/do? Scope? But we've been in there, although we didn't unzip the intestines all the way down, obviously. I just don't even know 🙁 (Not asking for medical advice, but I wouldn't tell if any of you docs happened to PM me with thoughts...)

Sorry about your parents' dog. It's somehow worse when they do everything we tell them and it still doesn't fix it.
 
Oh jeez, some similarities! My sister's dog is a 2yo MN Boston who started with GI signs ~9mos. I'm their vet (right? -sigh-) diagnosed giardia, treated, seemed a little better but relapsed. Broad spectrum dewormer, multiple rounds of metronidazole, +/- sulfasalazine, probiotics, bland diet etc, no improvement. Full BW WNL including 'lytes. Dog is still totally happy, eats, occ vomits. Then one day they thought he'd eaten some rope toy. Abd rads -very- suspicious for GIFB, went in with a coworker...nothing. Biopsies said either food allergy or IBD. So we're in the middle of the food trial now, no response, sister's bf wants to stop food trial, I beg them to continue since they're half way there. Don't want to start down the steroid path since he's so young but UGH. Talked to sister yesterday and planned GI panel next, considering resting Cortisol just to be sure. But I'm at my wits end! I've offered referral but I have the dang biopsies, what else are they going to say/do? Scope? But we've been in there, although we didn't unzip the intestines all the way down, obviously. I just don't even know 🙁 (Not asking for medical advice, but I wouldn't tell if any of you docs happened to PM me with thoughts...)

Sorry about your parents' dog. It's somehow worse when they do everything we tell them and it still doesn't fix it.
few things. 10 PM me if you want to talk about it.

2) it can take the full 3 months of food trial and she needs to make sure the dog is getting NOTHING else.

3) all sorts of new GI+allergy diets these days
 
few things. 10 PM me if you want to talk about it.

2) it can take the full 3 months of food trial and she needs to make sure the dog is getting NOTHING else.

3) all sorts of new GI+allergy diets these days

Rumors on VIN of using apoquel for IBD as well, based on human studies of JAK inhibitors and crohns. Might be worth considering if you want to avoid steroids. Of course thats all a rumor and should not be taken as medical advice 🙂


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Apparently, I am the only person in my house who is competent to snake a toilet. So I got to spend the first hour of my day unclogging the toilet, cleaning the floor with bleach solution, and doing laundry.

Also, everyone claims that it wasn't them, but because when I flushed, the bowl just filled with water without making any attempt at emptying, it was one of them.
 
Oh jeez, some similarities! My sister's dog is a 2yo MN Boston who started with GI signs ~9mos. I'm their vet (right? -sigh-) diagnosed giardia, treated, seemed a little better but relapsed. Broad spectrum dewormer, multiple rounds of metronidazole, +/- sulfasalazine, probiotics, bland diet etc, no improvement. Full BW WNL including 'lytes. Dog is still totally happy, eats, occ vomits. Then one day they thought he'd eaten some rope toy. Abd rads -very- suspicious for GIFB, went in with a coworker...nothing. Biopsies said either food allergy or IBD. So we're in the middle of the food trial now, no response, sister's bf wants to stop food trial, I beg them to continue since they're half way there. Don't want to start down the steroid path since he's so young but UGH. Talked to sister yesterday and planned GI panel next, considering resting Cortisol just to be sure. But I'm at my wits end! I've offered referral but I have the dang biopsies, what else are they going to say/do? Scope? But we've been in there, although we didn't unzip the intestines all the way down, obviously. I just don't even know 🙁 (Not asking for medical advice, but I wouldn't tell if any of you docs happened to PM me with thoughts...)

Sorry about your parents' dog. It's somehow worse when they do everything we tell them and it still doesn't fix it.

A little easier for me than you - I wasn't vetting their dog, so it didn't feel like the pressure was on me like I'm sure you feel. They called me when they felt like the first vet wasn't really *doing* anything (which I felt was accurate - and ignoring two significantly hypoalbumenic results in a row without even DISCUSSING further work-up is borderline malpractice as far as I'm concerned), but the second GP and the subsequent IntMed and CritCare specialists were really fantastic. I just sorta chatted with them every few days so I could tell my parents "Yes, they are doing everything they can, and I'm impressed by the care you're getting, and I'm sorry he's not improving."

I agree with Dy that they need more time on the food trial and they have to ensure that nothing else gets in that dog's mouth (but you know that better than I do).

That said, I would run the cortisol if they're willing. Not terribly expensive, and worth ruling out since treatment is relatively straightforward. The GI panel would be useful, too. Both seem like a smart move to me, but I don't know the cost of the (Texas?) GI panel.

I don't see a point to scoping - you've already done the more aggressive approach and gotten more useful full-thickness biopsies than the partial-thickness you can get scoping. Only reason to scope is to do it other than explore to avoid the more invasive procedure. Did you take gastric biopsies as well as intestinal?

I suppose this should be PM'd since we're not supposed to be giving medical advice here. Call it one professional to another, and I'll stick to PM from here on out? 🙂
 
Cerenia will forever remain the drug that fixes everything that it's not supposed to.

Although I've yet to see it actually work on a blocked cat which was pretty disappointing!

People are giving it to blocked cats now, too? For what purpose? I feel so old skool with my boring unblock, fluids, bupe, prazosin, and go home on a new diet approach. I didn't know I could just give them Cerenia and their cystitis would magically go away.
 
My sister and niece went on a last minute trip to Naples, FL since my BIL is doing some work down there.

I am now flooded with pictures of gators/The Everglades, marine birds, a stranded seahorse they saved, dolphins, manatees, and an airborne spotted eagle ray. I am now jealous.
 
A minor rant, but I signed up to be in a big SCVECCS emergency techniques + monitoring wetlab about 5 minutes after the initial registration email was sent out. I just got an email informing me that I am on a waitlist for spots... despite having responded within literal minutes. I know that SCVECCS is one of the largest/most popular student organizations here and that there are tons of interested members, but I'm still amazed that it filled that fast. I have virtually no technical vet experience so I was really hoping to get in. Oh well, I guess. Hopefully a spot opens up between now and Tuesday evening, but I highly doubt it.

If that's an interest of yours, contact a local ER and ask if you can spend some time there occasionally. We take on vet students sometimes. Usually fourth years on externship, but not always. Your local ERs might do the same.
 
A minor rant, but I signed up to be in a big SCVECCS emergency techniques + monitoring wetlab about 5 minutes after the initial registration email was sent out. I just got an email informing me that I am on a waitlist for spots... despite having responded within literal minutes. I know that SCVECCS is one of the largest/most popular student organizations here and that there are tons of interested members, but I'm still amazed that it filled that fast. I have virtually no technical vet experience so I was really hoping to get in. Oh well, I guess. Hopefully a spot opens up between now and Tuesday evening, but I highly doubt it.
Sometimes wetlabs like that aren't filled based on when you sign up, but seniority or class year. I have no idea if that's the case in this particular instance, but I have heard of that happening.
 
People are giving it to blocked cats now, too? For what purpose? I feel so old skool with my boring unblock, fluids, bupe, prazosin, and go home on a new diet approach. I didn't know I could just give them Cerenia and their cystitis would magically go away.

Something something magic anti-inflammatory something something voodoo = happy bladder wall. Who knew.
 
Nope. Unblock, lavage, fluids, prazosin, buprenex, culture. Plus diet/management. My boss has tried steroids on one "last resort" case...didn't change the outcome. n=1, anyway.

See, yer a better doc than me. I don't send out culture. I should. But my $2000 ER estimate is already more than most people want to swallow.
 
So I have adult asthma and I'm very particular about where I keep my albuterol inhaler. (You know, in case my lungs are constructed, I'm dying, and can't wander around looking for my inhaler.) aaaand my mom moved my inhaler because she was afraid I would lose it. It was in a very small pocket in my backpack before and I needed it just now. I reached for it and do you know where it is?


Yeah I don't know either. So I call her and she has no idea where it is anymore. She might've put it in a different pocket or it's in one of my 5 purses I cycle through. I'm trying to breathe, and I knew exactly where my old inhaler is, which is on the other side of the apartment, so it's been a fun 15 minutes while this settled out.

I just like to know where my medicine in particular is, and it drives me crazy when people try to help me by moving it. :/
 
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Perks of a mixed animal clinic... I can run in-house cultures for $35. Doesn't give me a name, but most of the time for cats I don't need it.

Have you tried this?

If so, do you find it to offer value? They sent me a sample at one point out of the blue. I left it at our hospital and can't recall if anyone used it or not.
 
I was asleep for maybe 30 minutes tonight and a single, loud beep woke me up a few minutes after 1. I checked the smoke detectors...can't figure out which one it was but there seems to be no problem. Get back in bed, doze off...two beeps this time. Ugh. Now the dog is freaked out. I get up again, still not sure which one of the four it was, but don't think it was the one in my bedroom. Probably the living room or kitchen since the hall one did this a couple months ago and got replaced. It's been a little over 20 minutes since the last beeps and I'm still awake waiting for it to happen again so I can narrow down which one is angry. I bet about the time I give up and try to go back to sleep it'll happen again.

Update: it didn't ever happen again. Hmm, weird.
 
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I was asleep for maybe 30 minutes tonight and a single, loud beep woke me up a few minutes after 1. I checked the smoke detectors...can't figure out which one it was but there seems to be no problem. Get back in bed, doze off...two beeps this time. Ugh. Now the dog is freaked out. I get up again, still not sure which one of the four it was, but don't think it was the one in my bedroom. Probably the living room or kitchen since the hall one did this a couple months ago and got replaced. It's been a little over 20 minutes since the last beeps and I'm still awake waiting for it to happen again so I can narrow down which one is angry. I bet about the time I give up and try to go back to sleep it'll happen again.

Update: it didn't ever happen again. Hmm, weird.

This weekend, on one of my "sleep in" days that I was majorly looking forward too, the smoke alarm in our hallway began beeping to let us know the battery needed changed. However, it happened at 4 AM so I was woken up by my freaked out Shar Pei X punching me in the face to get up. Then, in a sleepy haze I had to locate the alarm, get a chair, and take it down.

Any chance your beeps came from a carbon monoxide detector? We had to replace ours recently for acting up.
 
This weekend, on one of my "sleep in" days that I was majorly looking forward too, the smoke alarm in our hallway began beeping to let us know the battery needed changed. However, it happened at 4 AM so I was woken up by my freaked out Shar Pei X punching me in the face to get up. Then, in a sleepy haze I had to locate the alarm, get a chair, and take it down.

Any chance your beeps came from a carbon monoxide detector? We had to replace ours recently for acting up.

I think they're combo smoke/CO? It was just strange that the beeps were so far apart. When the one that had to be replaced 2-3 months ago started to beep it was doing it every 10 minutes or so. And they were hard wired with no battery backup so I unplugged it, wrapped it in a towel, and sat it out on the balcony until it quit beeping then the apartment came and replaced it two days later. It was also at 9pm so I was a little less grumpy haha. I suspect that it's the old one in the living room and will just need changed soon. Hopefully it'll go out during evening hours instead of 1-2am if it's going to.
 
I think they're combo smoke/CO? It was just strange that the beeps were so far apart. When the one that had to be replaced 2-3 months ago started to beep it was doing it every 10 minutes or so. And they were hard wired with no battery backup so I unplugged it, wrapped it in a towel, and sat it out on the balcony until it quit beeping then the apartment came and replaced it two days later. It was also at 9pm so I was a little less grumpy haha. I suspect that it's the old one in the living room and will just need changed soon. Hopefully it'll go out during evening hours instead of 1-2am if it's going to.

That's definitely bizarre!! I am now worried that I'll find my dog in a tizzy if it happens when I'm not home. I bought my house 3 years and this is the second alarm to need it's battery changed in the last 2 months. I'm thinking all are coming up due and might change them all now.
 
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