Journal #11

Well, today they were no surgeries planned (5a). Paige and I cleaned the cat enclosures. There was only

one boarded cat remaining and she hissed at us. I swept the floors and washed the dishes. The Owners

of the boarded cat, Cinnamon arrived and talked about their trip. The Owners prompted Paige to give

Cinnamon a bath and she was not impressed with us. After the bath, her nails were trimmed (1e). The

Owners helped us a great deal to do these tasks. The woman did not seem to want to let her go. I spoke

with the Owners a few times while Paige answered the telephone (1a, 1d).

I removed the garbage. The order arrived and Paige and I unloaded and put the supplies away.

A couple dropped in with a large cat asking for help. After Dr. Malik examined her, he gave his diagnoses

and it was not promising for the cat. The Owners decided to have the cat x-rayed and then make a

decision after some deliberation. Once the x-rays were completed, Dr. Malik advised them it would be

best to put the cat down. I saw worm-looking items in the cat’s abdomen on the x-ray. The tearful

Owners agreed. After they left, I deep cleaned the examination room, the x-ray room, and removed all

of the towels the cat came in contact with as she had a lot of fleas. Paige mentioned that she saw them

moving around the cat’s fur and skin after some fur had been shaven off. Christina recommended that I

spray the hospital with flea killer. I then sprayed the rooms that the cat had occupied.

Another Owner brought in his cat Smokey and was asked to wait in the second examination room. I

retrieved items requested by Dr. Malik and Paige and put callers on hold (4d). I will need to slow down

when I ask to put callers on hold as they seemed to be a little startled when I finished the little speech I

was given (2d, 2e, 4b). I deep cleaned the examination room. The man and his cat were brought into the

examination room.

A woman who wanted to buy her cat’s food dropped in. Given that I could not sell her the food, I asked

her to wait for Paige (4b). I asked her which food she was looking for and was not able to find it (4b).

Paige poked her head out of the examination room and was able to identify the food that the woman

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was looking for. After the appointment and a few more calls, Paige spoke to the woman. There was a

communication error and the wrong cat food was at the hospital. She talked to Paige and they called

other animal hospitals looking for the cat food. Paige was called by Dr. Malik. Paige asked her to wait,

the woman made a phone call, found someone who sold it and left to purchase it.

A couple of women brought in their small brown and white dog named Butterscotch for his

appointment. He had scratched his eye and they wanted it examined. Butterscotch was checked and

they left after paying.

A woman arrived with her nice, fluffy, mostly white cat named Oreo. They had to wait until Dr. Malik

returned. Once she was shown to an examination room, the woman waited until two other pets were

examined. An x-ray was taken of Oreo and she was returned to her owner. After some deliberation

between the Owner, Christina, and Dr. Malik, it was decided that further testing was needed as the cat

showed signs of having stones in her bladder. First, they tried to take urine samples. Unfortunately, Dr.

Malik was only able to take a small sample as it was too thick and he couldn’t take any more. Next, we

needed to take blood samples. Christina asked me to help hold her. I used the cat holds that I learned

from the textbooks and practiced in class (1d, 2b). Oreo was returned to her Owner after the samples

were taken.

I cleaned the cat’s litter boxes and tub throughout the day. I completed the laundry.

Before I left for the day, I brought down a box of pill bottles from the laundry room. Luckily, we had a

step ladder. I discovered that the supplies had been rearranged, so I will need to familiarize myself with

where everything is located within the hospital.

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The Next Day

Today started off with Aphrodite returning with a bloated abdomen again. She pooped again so I

cleaned it up.

A fluffy white dog named Snowflake arrived for a spay. Paige and I prepared the room. I then cleaned

the cat enclosures and finished the laundry. It was then time for the spay. I was in charge of the pet's

vital sheet and helped when needed (3e, 5c). I then disposed of the extra bits. I cleaned the instruments

after the surgery and tidied up the room. I then removed the garbage and retrieved the mail (5d). I,

however, did not have time to wrap the pack as the drape was in the wash. However, I look forward to

practicing wrapping a pack next week if I have an opportunity.

Paige left and Christina started her day. The orders arrived. Snowflake’s Owners dropped in and wanted

to take her back or check on her progress. After Dr. Malik spoke with them, they decided to see her, pay,

then return later to pick her up as she was still groggy from the surgery. I lead them to her and they had

a nice little reunion. I was able to answer their questions and tell them about our mission statement (1c,

3a, 3b, 3d). This was an area that I needed to improve which I think will help to improve my mark now

that I know how to slide it into a conversation.

I asked Christina for feedback on my performance and how to improve on describing the hospital’s

policies and procedures to a Client. She gave me tips in those areas(1c). I mopped the floors.

A mother, grandmother, and daughter brought in their dog Fred for his appointment. Unfortunately, Dr.

Malik stepped out and had not returned yet. I observed how Christina communicated with them so they

did not get angry or bored.

A man arrived looking for his dog’s food and treats. I found and brought the food and the treats to him.

Christina collected payment from him.

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After Dr. Malik arrived, he gave Fred an injection, the oral medication and they were on their way. I

wiped the shelves as they had become dusty for the last part of my day. I did the laundry though out

the day as there was a lot of it. I cleaned the examination room after a Client left to get it ready for the

next appointment (1b, 5b).

I explained the hospital’s mission statement to a Client as planned. I had the opportunity to put Clients

on hold when no one else was available to answer the telephone.

Personal Observations

I am becoming even more confident talking to Pet Owners. However, I will admit that there are times

where I do become shy. Observing how Paige and Christina interact with the pet Owners demonstrated

different topics I can discuss and have conversations confidently. Given my conversation with one of the

pet Owners, I believe this will raise my final grade in this area that I needed to improve. I have another

new experience to add to my list - bathing a cat (2c). I am pleased that her Owners helped us by holding

their cat as it seemed to help to keep her calm.

Learning Outcomes Next Week

Given that next week will be my last week in field placement, I will focus on mentioning the mission

statement to Clients. I would also like to increase my comfort speaking with Clients.

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