RAVE HERE thread

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Bit belated here but on Sunday I volunteered for a cat spay/neuter clinic and performed my first unsupervised abdominal surgery (spay). I didn't realize until after I was closing how awesome that felt. In vet school one of my last rotations was spay/neuter but always with the faculty vet roaming about and offering advice. In my residency I've done plenty of solo amputations (tail and digit) and scrubbed in with faculty vet on some cool monkey abdominal surgeries, but always with another vet. This was just me and the cat. And granted there were multiple other vets in the room at their own tables with their patients had I needed help, but yeah.

Cool stuff, this vet med thing. Definitely going to go again, I was missing surgery 🙂

Sent from my phone using the mobile app because I bought it and I'm stubborn
 
Got a scholarship from school today. Drop in the loan bucket but it still feels good.

Congrats on getting one! Do they send out scholarship notifications all on the same day or does it vary by the scholarship?
 
Congrats on getting one! Do they send out scholarship notifications all on the same day or does it vary by the scholarship?

For the internal school ones, I think they go out on the same day? Not 100% on that though.
 
For the internal school ones, I think they go out on the same day? Not 100% on that though.

Dang, I’m hoping you’re wrong but you’re probably right! Did they go out via email?
 
I get the warm fuzzies whenever a wildlife patient of mine beats the odds. We have a red tail now who I honestly thought wouldn't survive the first night...two days later and he completely turned himself around and is BAR and feisty. If he keeps this up, we will be able to release him later this week.
 
When I first got Apple (my Syrian hamster), my mom was hesitant of the idea of me having a rodent as a pet. She didn't really like the idea of it and never really acknowledged him. Now, 6 weeks later, she’s always asking about how he’s doing, asking to see pictures, etc. :laugh:

Now I don’t know if she’s actually opening up to him or just happy about the changes he’s brought to my enthusiasm, but she loves Apple so much!!! It makes me so happy. 😍
 
When I first got Apple (my Syrian hamster), my mom was hesitant of the idea of me having a rodent as a pet. She didn't really like the idea of it and never really acknowledged him. Now, 6 weeks later, she’s always asking about how he’s doing, asking to see pictures, etc. :laugh:

Now I don’t know if she’s actually opening up to him or just happy about the changes he’s brought to my enthusiasm, but she loves Apple so much!!! It makes me so happy. 😍
YAY!!!!!! I’m glad she’s accepted him!!!!! :biglove: :biglove: :biglove:
 
I JUST PUT A DEPOSIT ON A PAIR OF SUGAR GLIDERS AND I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED OMG.

I haven't had gliders since I had to rehome my hoard of them before going to the islands for vet school, since they couldn't receive a rabies vaccine they were illegal to import there. I was trying to wait til I graduate but hey that's only in like 6 months and they are exactly what I've wanted and an amazing price because the breeder is moving her breeding program in a different direction and HOLY CRAP I AM SO EXCITED.
 
Ugh I'm so wanting to get some type of rodent since I'm into lab animals, but I'm afriad for their life with having a cat and a husky lol
 
Ugh I'm so wanting to get some type of rodent since I'm into lab animals, but I'm afriad for their life with having a cat and a husky lol
I have 3 hamsters...as well as a German Shepherd, 3 cats, and a snake haha. I think you'd be okay 😉 just make sure the cage is secure!
 
Ugh I'm so wanting to get some type of rodent since I'm into lab animals, but I'm afriad for their life with having a cat and a husky lol
Well this all started with my friend dumping her BF yesterday, then us needing to go to petco for cat food, then her seeing the rats and us being like ***omg y r they so perfect*** AND them having a nice huge cage on sale for $25 and then us trying to convince her to get them as boyfriend replacers, and then her trying to convince ME to get them because she just had to blow a bunch of money on a car repair and then me being like no if anything i need gliders back in my life aaaaaaaaannnnnd well here we are.
 
but also, how would you/do people secure their ratties from their cats? I had a cat with my gliders before but they had their own bedroom which she was never allowed in (and also she apparently has zero to minimal prey drive despite being an ex-feral kittie because one got loose and was on my body in the night with her next to me and she didn't care)... asking because that friend who I fully intend to nag into getting rats has two kitties and that is my main hesitation in continuing to peer pressure her to get them
 
Well this all started with my friend dumping her BF yesterday, then us needing to go to petco for cat food, then her seeing the rats and us being like ***omg y r they so perfect*** AND them having a nice huge cage on sale for $25 and then us trying to convince her to get them as boyfriend replacers, and then her trying to convince ME to get them because she just had to blow a bunch of money on a car repair and then me being like no if anything i need gliders back in my life aaaaaaaaannnnnd well here we are.

So I’d be real sure that cage is actually big enough before you get them. Rats need really big cages, and I’d be really surprised if they had the Rat Manor (the rat cage Petco sells I think) for sale that cheap...

but also, how would you/do people secure their ratties from their cats? I had a cat with my gliders before but they had their own bedroom which she was never allowed in (and also she apparently has zero to minimal prey drive despite being an ex-feral kittie because one got loose and was on my body in the night with her next to me and she didn't care)... asking because that friend who I fully intend to nag into getting rats has two kitties and that is my main hesitation in continuing to peer pressure her to get them

Make sure it’s a secure wire cage, and it shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve had cats both times I’ve had rats, and it’s never been an issue. Putting the cage on a stand could be useful, but if it’s not a sturdy cage the cats may knock it off. My cats fascination with the rats wore off really fast. At first I would lock them out of my room when I wasn’t around, but once they wouldn’t pay them any attention, I didn’t worry about it anymore.

I did always make sure my cats were locked out of my room during my rats out time though, just to be safe. I made a huge playpen with plastic sheets that was 3 ft tall to prevent escapes, and my cats probably couldn’t have gotten into it unless they were on my bed. But I didn’t want to take the chance.
 
So I’d be real sure that cage is actually big enough before you get them. Rats need really big cages, and I’d be really surprised if they had the Rat Manor (the rat cage Petco sells I think) for sale that cheap...



Make sure it’s a secure wire cage, and it shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve had cats both times I’ve had rats, and it’s never been an issue. Putting the cage on a stand could be useful, but if it’s not a sturdy cage the cats may knock it off. My cats fascination with the rats wore off really fast. At first I would lock them out of my room when I wasn’t around, but once they wouldn’t pay them any attention, I didn’t worry about it anymore.

I did always make sure my cats were locked out of my room during my rats out time though, just to be safe. I made a huge playpen with plastic sheets that was 3 ft tall to prevent escapes, and my cats probably couldn’t have gotten into it unless they were on my bed. But I didn’t want to take the chance.
it WAS rat manor! It was marked down because someone set it up for a display by accident but they didn't have space for it and the box got thrown away (I grilled like 3 different petco employees about this including the one that apparently got in trouble for throwing the box away heh). So nice and big that I wanted it for gliders but they do much better with either horizontal and vertical bars (to make little squares) or with vertical only bars, not horizontal only bars.

Thanks for that info! I will definitely be sharing it with her as I continue to nag her 😏
 
I made a huge playpen with plastic sheets that was 3 ft tall to prevent escapes, and my cats probably couldn’t have gotten into it unless they were on my bed. But I didn’t want to take the chance.
Plastic sheets? I’ve been trying to make a playpen for Apple so he’s not confined to the bathtub, but I’m out of ideas.
 
it WAS rat manor! It was marked down because someone set it up for a display by accident but they didn't have space for it and the box got thrown away (I grilled like 3 different petco employees about this including the one that apparently got in trouble for throwing the box away heh). So nice and big that I wanted it for gliders but they do much better with either horizontal and vertical bars (to make little squares) or with vertical only bars, not horizontal only bars.

Thanks for that info! I will definitely be sharing it with her as I continue to nag her 😏
Aww, that makes more sense. Petco being nice enough to mark that cage down so cheap normally was weird 😛

I wouldn’t put more than two rats in there though 🙂

I believe the rat manor cage locks onto its base? I think as long as her cats aren’t trying to attack the cage, it’s a pretty secure cage and they’d be safe. But I’d still lock the kitties out when not supervised until they calmed down, so the rattles wouldn’t be scared.
 
Aww, that makes more sense. Petco being nice enough to mark that cage down so cheap normally was weird 😛

I wouldn’t put more than two rats in there though 🙂

I believe the rat manor cage locks onto its base? I think as long as her cats aren’t trying to attack the cage, it’s a pretty secure cage and they’d be safe. But I’d still lock the kitties out when not supervised until they calmed down, so the rattles wouldn’t be scared.
Yeah I know right. Seriously considering going back and getting it for her though, *just in case* - but yeah she wants two so its pretty perfect 😀
 
Ugh I'm so wanting to get some type of rodent since I'm into lab animals, but I'm afriad for their life with having a cat and a husky lol
Don't want to be the rain on your parade, but just be aware that a lot of lab animal facilities encourage (or straight up state as a rule) that staff (vets, techs, husbandry) should not own pet rodents. It's because pet store rodents can carry a shocking number of pathogens that lab animal facilities want to keep out of their facilities but could be brought in via the person who just played with their rodents at home. Most of the pathogens are subclinical, so you don't see disease in the pet rodents, but can have serious consequences with research. I had rats once and would love to get more but haven't and probably won't due to this.

but also, how would you/do people secure their ratties from their cats? I had a cat with my gliders before but they had their own bedroom which she was never allowed in (and also she apparently has zero to minimal prey drive despite being an ex-feral kittie because one got loose and was on my body in the night with her next to me and she didn't care)... asking because that friend who I fully intend to nag into getting rats has two kitties and that is my main hesitation in continuing to peer pressure her to get them
I got my rats first so it was somewhat easy (my cat - then kitten- got too close once, had a whisker bitten off by my rat who wasn't okay with her invading their personal space, and the cat was afraid of the rats ever since). That being said, agree with previous posters that so long as the cage is sturdy they should be safe from the cats.
 
I got my rats first so it was somewhat easy (my cat - then kitten- got too close once, had a whisker bitten off by my rat who wasn't okay with her invading their personal space, and the cat was afraid of the rats ever since). That being said, agree with previous posters that so long as the cage is sturdy they should be safe from the cats.

One of my past rats would try to attack my cat throw the bars when she walked by 🤣

My remaining cat is ancient and I'm pretty sure doesn't even realize the rats are here, but one of my rabbits is super curious. They all try to grab her through the bars and she gets so annoyed :laugh:
 
Personal rave.

I cut off all my hair this weekend and it felt so ****ing freeing. I've had long hair almost my whole life. I'm just sick of taking care of it, especially now that I'm properly taking care of my curly/wavy hair (it takes a lot of time to groom).

I have a curly lob now and I don't think I'm ever going back to long hair. Maybe medium length, but not long. Chopped off like 8 inches. My hair is the healthiest looking it's ever been.
 
Personal rave.

I cut off all my hair this weekend and it felt so ****ing freeing. I've had long hair almost my whole life. I'm just sick of taking care of it, especially now that I'm properly taking care of my curly/wavy hair (it takes a lot of time to groom).

I have a curly lob now and I don't think I'm ever going back to long hair. Maybe medium length, but not long. Chopped off like 8 inches. My hair is the healthiest looking it's ever been.
Ahhh!! Congrats jaboo!!
 
Personal rave.

I cut off all my hair this weekend and it felt so ****ing freeing. I've had long hair almost my whole life. I'm just sick of taking care of it, especially now that I'm properly taking care of my curly/wavy hair (it takes a lot of time to groom).

I have a curly lob now and I don't think I'm ever going back to long hair. Maybe medium length, but not long. Chopped off like 8 inches. My hair is the healthiest looking it's ever been.
Hurray!

Also, solidarity on the curly hair struggle :highfive:
 
My cats are being friends!
28164772_3984928345776_796340395421094832_o.jpg

This has been a work in progress while Wobbles adjusts to having a sister, but this is definitely a big step.
 
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Personal rave.

I cut off all my hair this weekend and it felt so ****ing freeing. I've had long hair almost my whole life. I'm just sick of taking care of it, especially now that I'm properly taking care of my curly/wavy hair (it takes a lot of time to groom).

I have a curly lob now and I don't think I'm ever going back to long hair. Maybe medium length, but not long. Chopped off like 8 inches. My hair is the healthiest looking it's ever been.
I love how fast I can turn my head from side to side when I chop all of my hair off. It makes me feel like I've got great reflexes all of a sudden :laugh:
 
I played soccer for the first time in 15 years for our CVM’s intramural soccer team and goodness I’m already so sore and my back is killing me. But I had so much fun with my classmates and it felt so great to be so active again.
 
Bought plane tickets to go to Tokyo for a few weeks this summer! It's a study abroad trip focusing on veterinary pathology! I was also accepted into Purdue's Summer Research program!
 
My septic patient( from an abscess) who I started on vancomycin (after chatting with our criticalist and don't worry, cultures are pending) the other day is doing so much better today. Temp is down, about to be off his pressors, bg is fine, edema is improving and he's eating!!! Not out of the woods yet but I'm so happy with how he looks today. Fingers crossed he continues to do well cause he's only 1 yr old.
 
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Rebounded from failing our first clin path quiz to getting everything right on our second one and actually understanding why the answers were what they were. The grade is a nice bonus, but feeling like I GET IT is such a good confidence boost right now.
 
I had three owners verbatim say "I trust you" yesterday.

Which I suppose is just generally implicit in them listening to your recommendations, but I've had a ridiculous run of hospitalized chronic and acute internal medicine type patients and it does give me happy feels (with a small side of overt OH MY GOD WHAT AM I MISSING AM I GOING TO DESTROY THIS TRUST) to hear the confidence from people.

Although if anyone wants to take these cases from me and replace them with niiice easily fixable surgery things I'm still happy to trade... or if they have any magical suggestions for a sweet as pie but disaster chronic pancreatitis/ibd/etc kitty, I'll take that too...
 
I had three owners verbatim say "I trust you" yesterday.

Which I suppose is just generally implicit in them listening to your recommendations, but I've had a ridiculous run of hospitalized chronic and acute internal medicine type patients and it does give me happy feels (with a small side of overt OH MY GOD WHAT AM I MISSING AM I GOING TO DESTROY THIS TRUST) to hear the confidence from people.

Although if anyone wants to take these cases from me and replace them with niiice easily fixable surgery things I'm still happy to trade... or if they have any magical suggestions for a sweet as pie but disaster chronic pancreatitis/ibd/etc kitty, I'll take that too...
Trade IM for surgery??? @DVMDream your services have been requested
 
I had three owners verbatim say "I trust you" yesterday.

Which I suppose is just generally implicit in them listening to your recommendations, but I've had a ridiculous run of hospitalized chronic and acute internal medicine type patients and it does give me happy feels (with a small side of overt OH MY GOD WHAT AM I MISSING AM I GOING TO DESTROY THIS TRUST) to hear the confidence from people.

Although if anyone wants to take these cases from me and replace them with niiice easily fixable surgery things I'm still happy to trade... or if they have any magical suggestions for a sweet as pie but disaster chronic pancreatitis/ibd/etc kitty, I'll take that too...
Of course they trust you, you're awesome. :biglove:

Also, IM > Sx 😛
 
One of my mentors who I shadowed frequently had some health issues a few months ago and is now on a leave from vetmed. Recently my clinic of employment started contracting out to an IM specialist who just moved here to do the work that my mentor was doing, and I emailed her earlier asking if I could shadow her.

She said yes, which is especially exciting since I think she is one of the few if not the only specialist that allows shadows in the city. As far as I know all but two of the other specialists are associated with a VCA location that strictly prohibits volunteers/shadows.

Basically the arrangement is the same that I had with my mentor in that I get to tag along to other clinics in the city with her for consults/procedures. I am scheduled to go out with her on Friday to a clinic I haven't been to before (and have always wanted to see) so I am super duper excited!!! :soexcited:
 
One of my mentors who I shadowed frequently had some health issues a few months ago and is now on a leave from vetmed. Recently my clinic of employment started contracting out to an IM specialist who just moved here to do the work that my mentor was doing, and I emailed her earlier asking if I could shadow her.

She said yes, which is especially exciting since I think she is one of the few if not the only specialist that allows shadows in the city. As far as I know all but two of the other specialists are associated with a VCA location that strictly prohibits volunteers/shadows.

Basically the arrangement is the same that I had with my mentor in that I get to tag along to other clinics in the city with her for consults/procedures. I am scheduled to go out with her on Friday to a clinic I haven't been to before (and have always wanted to see) so I am super duper excited!!! :soexcited:
YAYAYAYAYYYYYY BBC!!!! Excited for you!!
 
Found the almost perfect apartment Today. It's a bit less than what I pay now and is renovated enough that it feels nice, but still older that it has some character to it and free laundry in the basement. Only downside is that it's the third floor, but at least my heating bill will cheap. Put in the application today and should find out tomorrow when the office is open if I get it. It's also a 2br so I can even rent out the other room if I wanted.
 
I've been trying to catch one of the feral cats that hang around my house for like a month now, especially since I saw him limping about two weeks ago. Forgot I had the trap set last night, and woke up to find him in the trap! He's got fighting wounds and is definitely super feral, but at least now he's testicle-free and full of antibiotics.
 
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