UIUC Personal Response

[that redhead]

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Hey everyone. I was hoping someone could help me out with the prompt for Illinois' "personal response". It's basically asking what has been the biggest challenge facing US vets in the past three years, what's been done about it and do you approve. Just as a disclaimer, I'm not asking anyone to give me an answer, although if you want to suggest something, that's fine too.

The two topics that I'm interested in talking about are either the shortage of large animal vets (since I'm interested in large animal) or animal welfare, since that seems to be getting hotter. However, I feel like the prompt is asking for something more concrete, like something that happened and was dealt with and is now over, which neither of my ideas fit into. What's your interpretation?

 

[crittergal]

Hey everyone. I was hoping someone could help me out with the prompt for Illinois' "personal response". It's basically asking what has been the biggest challenge facing US vets in the past three years, what's been done about it and do you approve. Just as a disclaimer, I'm not asking anyone to give me an answer, although if you want to suggest something, that's fine too.

The two topics that I'm interested in talking about are either the shortage of large animal vets (since I'm interested in large animal) or animal welfare, since that seems to be getting hotter. However, I feel like the prompt is asking for something more concrete, like something that happened and was dealt with and is now over, which neither of my ideas fit into. What's your interpretation?

For one that's mostly over, check into the horse slaughter act and elaborate the current state of affairs and how industries which used the horse meat have coped.

Another to consider is the growing use of pet insurance. What are the ramifications for practitioners and the veterinary industry? Do some digging on this one and you can sound very well educated, and relate it to healthcare reform.

 

[nyanko]

Personally I don't think it needs to be something that's "over."

You can certainly write what different groups have been doing about an issue and how you feel about their reactions, and how you would improve it. I think animal welfare/animal rights is good as long as you know what you're talking about and are careful with the terminology.

 

[that redhead]

For one that's mostly over, check into the horse slaughter act and elaborate the current state of affairs and how industries which used the horse meat have coped.

Another to consider is the growing use of pet insurance. What are the ramifications for practitioners and the veterinary industry? Do some digging on this one and you can sound very well educated, and relate it to healthcare reform.

To be honest, although I'm into equine/large animal, part of me thinks that horse slaughter might be a pretty common topic, and I'd rather use something that (in my mind) will be a little different. Thank you for the suggestions 🙂

 

[crittergal]

I agree with what Nyanko said. Animal welfare/rights is an issue in the forefront of many state and national VMAs. Don't trip up on the difference between animal rights and animal welfare. I suspect adcoms watch for that to see if the applicant truly knows what they are talking about.

Re horse slaughter: yes, it will be used by many, probably just as many as the above topic. What will be less common is emphasizing how it has changed the industries which use the meat or blood. Example: non-profit big cat sanctuaries, already on a tight budget, now have to find alternate source of meat. Are they able to provide an acceptable quality substitute available at the same/similar price for the carnivores? Captive vampire bat colonies in a local collection now have to seek a new source of blood. Where are they getting it? Countries (or cultures if we want to argue semantics) who consume horse meat are still doing so, yet obtaining the meat in other countries. What are the slaughter practices in those countries? Has the act worsened the level of humane-ness* in which horses are slaughtered by driving the practice to countries with lesser slaughter standards?

Just some food for thought...

*by no way am I implying that the US's slaughter practices are humane, rather I was making a comparison. Humane slaughter practices, or lack thereof, is another discussion for a different time.

 

[Pigsfoot]

I'm sure there is probably some interest in how veterinarians helped in public health matters too-like when avian flu and H1N1 were becoming issues. How the veterinarian can be involved in public health is something a lot of schools are looking for too. The whole 'one health' thing seems to be were schools want to go-combined health interest for human and animal populations which are intrinsically linked.

 

[that redhead]

I agree with what Nyanko said. Animal welfare/rights is an issue in the forefront of many state and national VMAs. Don't trip up on the difference between animal rights and animal welfare. I suspect adcoms watch for that to see if the applicant truly knows what they are talking about.

Re horse slaughter: yes, it will be used by many, probably just as many as the above topic. What will be less common is emphasizing how it has changed the industries which use the meat or blood. Example: non-profit big cat sanctuaries, already on a tight budget, now have to find alternate source of meat. Are they able to provide an acceptable quality substitute available at the same/similar price for the carnivores? Captive vampire bat colonies in a local collection now have to seek a new source of blood. Where are they getting it? Countries (or cultures if we want to argue semantics) who consume horse meat are still doing so, yet obtaining the meat in other countries. What are the slaughter practices in those countries? Has the act worsened the level of humane-ness* in which horses are slaughtered by driving the practice to countries with lesser slaughter standards?

Just some food for thought...

*by no way am I implying that the US's slaughter practices are humane, rather I was making a comparison. Humane slaughter practices, or lack thereof, is another discussion for a different time.

I didn't mean to imply that the issue of horse slaughter wasn't a good one - it definitely is! I have a friend who worked in Africa doing research on cheetahs and they used horsemeat, I believe. I think it's certainly a good issue to talk about, and you're right that welfare won't be any less popular😛 I think I'll probably end up researching a few different topics and seeing which one I can write about the best.

 

[that redhead]

I'm sure there is probably some interest in how veterinarians helped in public health matters too-like when avian flu and H1N1 were becoming issues. How the veterinarian can be involved in public health is something a lot of schools are looking for too. The whole 'one health' thing seems to be were schools want to go-combined health interest for human and animal populations which are intrinsically linked.

H1N1 is another one I'm considering. I agree that linking vet med with public health is a good thing to do. Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

Here are some current event topics from the past

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=682061&highlight=current+events

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=670446&highlight=current+events

 

[Tco87]

I'm also thinking about writing about the large animal vet shortage. Another idea that I had was talking about the economic crisis, especially in relation to budget cuts for veterinary schools.

When we both get our supplemental essays done, would you want to share and we can critique each other's?

 

[bunnity]

If I had to write this essay (which I don't) I would write about how veterinarians have to provide services to people who want kidney transplants for their cats and people that can't afford to get a rabies vaccination. Knowledge and possibilities for better care keep increasing, and there are a few people who can pay for it, but the ability to make plan B, C, and D is more often necessary. How should veterinarians balance the extremes, how should they determine a minimum standard of care (where do you draw the line when owner declines pain management etc), how do nonprofit clinics or discount spay/neuter programs help/hurt the profession, how does pet insurance factor in... you could go on and on about it (I obviously am lol).

 

[AUillinoisan]

I'm sure there is probably some interest in how veterinarians helped in public health matters too-like when avian flu and H1N1 were becoming issues. How the veterinarian can be involved in public health is something a lot of schools are looking for too. The whole 'one health' thing seems to be were schools want to go-combined health interest for human and animal populations which are intrinsically linked.

The prompt is different this year, but last year when I met with Mary Kelm pre-application she stressed that they were looking for the public health angle, that veterinarians are more than puppies and kitties and how they pertain to the community as a whole. Cue swine flu. Not sure if that's as relevant for this application, but I would assume they aren't less fans of the public health angle.

 

[Lissarae06]

The first thing that came to my mind after reading the prompt was the H1N1 flu. I think working the public health angle could help you stand out.

 

[natalieises]

I can't say I have a grand idea for your topic, but I think I can help ease your worries about writing on the topic you are wanting. When I did my file review they went over EVERY piece of the app. For their essay Mary basically told me they look at it's overall content to see that you 1. answered all of the questions specifically listed 2. Show that you know what's going on i.e. if you want to write about large animal vet shortage, go for it. As long as you are showing them some knowledge of an issue in vet med and then respond to all of those questions-do you approve with what is being done, what is being done, etc.

They aren't looking for some amazing intense essay. As long as you hit the high points and show what you know you'll be fine. I think it would be great if you could write on your original topic because it is what you are passionate about.

 

[that redhead]

The first thing that came to my mind after reading the prompt was the H1N1 flu. I think working the public health angle could help you stand out.

After some consideration, I'm going to research/write up an essay regarding influenza in general, to include H1N1, avian flu, etc. I work with ferrets and they're able to get influenza so I think bringing in an angle of my experiences/every day work could help. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the feedback 🙂

 

[VeganSoprano]

The recession is the first thing that comes to mind for me...

 

[goldengal]

I agree with VeganSoprano. At my clinic clients are less willing to come back for second and third round parvo boosters for their puppy (even though we have explained why they need three rounds) because they do not want to spend the money. What is even scarier is the sharp decline in spays and neuters. We have become so concerned that we have been recommending the low cost spay/neuter clinic to our clients (we can't compete with their prices, but we do not want unwanted kittens and puppies). It has affected our ability to treat emergencies as well as properly diagnose cases. Clients have been refusing pain pills for post surgery, and our chronic arthritis patients have been skipping rimadyl refills. It is just not a good situation, and as a clinic we are trying to adapt.

 

[that redhead]

I agree with VeganSoprano. At my clinic clients are less willing to come back for second and third round parvo boosters for their puppy (even though we have explained why they need three rounds) because they do not want to spend the money. What is even scarier is the sharp decline in spays and neuters. We have become so concerned that we have been recommending the low cost spay/neuter clinic to our clients (we can't compete with their prices, but we do not want unwanted kittens and puppies). It has affected our ability to treat emergencies as well as properly diagnose cases. Clients have been refusing pain pills for post surgery, and our chronic arthritis patients have been skipping rimadyl refills. It is just not a good situation, and as a clinic we are trying to adapt.

Ugh, that all sounds terrible. I remember during my time at a small animal clinic, people would get upset upon receiving their final bill for a surgery, so the operating vet would go in and break it down for them. The first question they always asked was, "Well does Fluffy REALLY need that pain medication?" So frustrating. I think some people don't really realize that animals can and do feel pain. How would you like to recover from a surgery with nothing to help you out? Thanks for the topic idea, though!