natelam's Xanga Site

Animal House

natelam
read my profile sign my guestbook Name: Nate Birthday: 11/1/1982 Gender: Male Interests: Vet Med, Dogs, Guitar, Photography, Sportfishing, Golf Occupation: Student Industry: Medical Website: visit my website AIM: imashaigai Member Since: 6/19/2002

SubscriptionsSites I Read
Subscribe to natelam Get trial subscription

Blogrings

Posting Calendar

\|<< oldest \| newest >>\|
view all weblog archives

Monday, January 14, 2008

	She comforts me. 6 more days...ironically leaving CAli to go back to Cali =)
	10:51 PM - 508 views - 66 eprops - 36 comments - email it

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

	Within my grasp... The last 2 finals of my academic career are about to be over. It feels so good to have that victory within my grasp...now just have to make it through clinics =)
	10:50 PM - 244 views - 52 eprops - 29 comments - email it

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Finals update

For some reason, I always get the urge to update during finals week. It's procrastination at its finest.

The past week has been pretty hectic. The zoo has been crazy - Ebony, one of the black rhinos has a bad skin disease and one of her toes was amputated earlier last week. This week we went out to try a new technique for wound healing. We attached a closed suction system to the large wound area and hooked it up to a portable vacuum pulse suction unit which hangs around her neck. This has been very successful in humans and other animals and there's already a very nice granulation bed to work with. Cross your fingers!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The disease that the rhino has causes severe lesions and necrosis of the skin and feet. They become infected without treatment. Here we are removing the dead tissue and draining the infected areas - looks pretty gross but it is essential to getting a good tissue bed for healing. Conditions for doing surgery in the stall are less than ideal, but you make due with what you have - we use a motorized sterile lavage/suction to try and minimize contamination before and during the procedure and use antibiotics judiciously.

Here's a 3 shots of the vacuum assisted wound healing. I took a 30 image series for the company that manufactures it.

We finished off by bandaging the leg with a few layers of modified Robert Jones bandage material topped off with the most versatile adhesive - Duct Tape. This is Dr. Ames - one of my personal heroes.

Also did physical exams on the baby snow leopard, one of the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen or felt. One of my classmates is in love with snow leopards but couldn't get out of class in time to come see her. It was a once in a lifetime chance since she's being shipped out to another zoo this weekend.

If you've ever put an IV cath into a male cat, you know that's hard. Large cats have even tougher skin and rollier veins...makes the job fun, especially in low light cramped conditions.

Earlier this month the tenrec gave birth (actually had to have a C-section). The little bugger is pretty darn small and cute

In other news...snow is on the ground! Cali clearly loves it...Ritz, expectedly hates all weather below 30 degrees.

Alright. Finals M-F...then CA for my first rotation (Neurology/Neurosurgery). Happy Holidays!

2:52 PM - 287 views - 56 eprops - 32 comments - email it

Monday, December 03, 2007

	Lions and Rhinos and Mandrills Oh my. Been too busy for Xanga...sorry =( And yes, those are the jaws of life. Jennie you'll appreciate these...=)
	2:26 PM - 170 views - 52 eprops - 27 comments - email it

Friday, November 02, 2007

	Quarter Century Club The next quarter century has begun. That last one was pretty good!
	7:05 AM - 204 views - 58 eprops - 31 comments - email it

Next 5 >>

Flickr

She comforts me.

Within my grasp...

Finals update

Lions and Rhinos and Mandrills Oh my.

Quarter Century Club