Buffetting : Course Taken on Sem 7

This semester has been pretty light for me, but it doesn't mean its toll wasn't heavy.

Although there were 7 registered courses, the course which I have actively attended classes were:
1- Veterinary Pathology 2
2- Veterinary Virology
3- Veterinary Parasitology 1
4- Pharmacology and Toxicology
5- Veterinary Problem Investigation

The other 2 courses were extra mural Clinical Rotation and Laboratory Rotation; but they are only going to be assessed during the semester breaks when we go for the practicals.

1- Veterinary Pathology 2

Continuity from Veterinary Pathology 1, this time round we focused a lot more the systems rather on basic general pathology. Although we have limited practicals with extensive tutorials and lectures, I begin to love the subject when I cram my nights with the information from various texts and references. Anatomy and physiology were fun, but pathology makes the whole course some sense because of the approach we need to take for diagnosis and treatment. From haematopoetic system to respiratory system, I should say this subject was really fun.

2- Veterinary Virology

Virology started out extremely boring, conceptual and imaginative because of the subtle size of the microbes we are dealing with. The mechanism of entry and its development over the years of research did bore me somehow, but when it came to the specific viruses and diseases I couldn't have had more fun. Pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, prevention, control and treatment for each viruses made everything we have studied for the past 6 semesters some sense. Saying this, I couldn't have to express more that the medicine between both veterinary and human had never been this close. From HIV to Ebola, Avian Influenza to Japanese Encephalitis, everything that the public think wasn't of interest of veterinarians is. As far as a lot(not all) of the medical graduates think high and mighty of themselves in Malaysia, it makes it even more pathetic for their ignorance as all zoonotic diseases are really cured by us, veterinarians.

3- Veterinary Parasitology 1

The 1st course deals with the overall morphology, lifecycle, pathogenesis and clinical signs manifested by host infected by the parasites. Unlike viruses, parasites do not want their hosts to die fast or die at all for that matter. However, apart from the animals and species of parasites of interest; we have to consider those which are zoonotic as well; meaning the ones which can be transmitted to human. It's really funny because I don't think medics actually consider any diseases which can be transmitted to animals; while we have to secure the public interest so that our patients are not being penalized when any outbreaks happen. There were numerous names, shapes and sizes to be memorized and known; but it was fun.

4- Pharmacology and Toxicology

Originally thinking that it would be my favorite subject and my best subject to score; only to feel that it is still but my favorite subject but I have better scores for other subjects. Yet, this doesn't deject my love for the subject simply because chemistry is in play. From the different drugs used to before,during, and after surgery to the antidotes for drug overdosing, the subject is pretty essential as we will be using these extensively as a professional man legally. Some bloggers have asked why my sudden posts on various intoxications in the companion animals, walaa!

5- Veterinary Problem Investigation

Pretty much like CSI, we are given clues on the signs, management practices and history of the problem in a case about one host while we need to make diagnosis and presentations based on the given information. It is very much like a revision of our management and pre-clinical subjects, so we get to think more and learn how to deal with similar issues when we graduate or practice in the hospital one day. It was kind of a kill-time course, and well all it did was really to kill time.

Everything we took this semester became a very important bridge from the preclinical to clinical studies; naming in the para-clinical studies. Important aetiology of diseases, how the problems are caused, the signs we see and ultimately how to treat and prevent them were extensively discusses and learned.

I hope I will be able to remember them and put them into good use in the upcoming semesters and as a veterinarian as well.

Now, a 4.0 for finals!