I don't believe the dog lab is mandatory. In fact, we aren't even graded on it, and I don't think they took attendance. They did however ask us for ID to make sure that we are indeed UIC COM students (and I guess not some sicko off the street).
To be honest, I kinda find it surprising that someone who is wanting to be doctor would not be willing to participate in the lab. My personal opinion on the dog lab was that it has been one of my best experiences so far.
I have some possible ideas about your reservations, and maybe I can clarify the purpose/experience of this lab...
The professor gave a little talk before the lab. He explained that he is a "dog lover" and has several dogs himself. However, he does not equate them with human beings. What he does not find acceptable is having a student's first living experience be with another human being. And that the purpose of the lab was to give us important first hand experience.
For me the experience is a bit difficult to explain (plus I'm short on time). However, I found it to be the closest experience to the "real thing" as possible. I've worked with pigs, frogs, mice, and cadavers... and I find it easy to forget the relationship at times. Even working with fresh cadavers, I sometimes forget that this was once a real person.
The dog lab was completely different. Seeing the dog anesthetized with it's tongue hanging out of it's mouth with a ventilator and EKG hooked up to him was definately real. I could hear him breath. When I put my hand on his head or chest, he was warm. I found myself being more careful and nervous with the incisions I made. And another thing that was different was that he bled. I also think that since we look at dogs with almost as much affection as with other people this made it seem all the more real as well. I heard that around 20 some people fainted last year. I guess this explains that some people were not ready to deal with it, but it is better that they learn this in a lab than in the OR.
The experiments involved stimulation of the vagus nerve, injecting various chemicals in the femoral arteries, cutting the carotid artery, etc. and seeing the effects on the EKG. We also opened the thoracic cavity and was able to hold the dog's heart in our hand as it was beating. Pretty fascinating stuff.
After the experiment, I wanted to "put him back together" but we injected a supersaturated K+ solution. It was really sad to see him die first hand.
I know you may think that this is all unnecessary. However, all these dogs were going to be put to sleep. I also heard a rumour that previously our cardio professor's dog was terminally ill and he donated him to the lab.
I hope this answers some of your questions.
Originally posted by Spang:
•Can any current MS1's tell me about the dog lab at the Chicago site? Is it mandatory or are there alternatives offered? My tour guide said there was one but didn't elaborate and I didn't get a chance to ask any further on the subject.
Thanks in advance......
Spang•
