Auscultating : Courses taken on Sem 9

Finally, the 14 weeks of craziness came to an end!

No more waking up at 7 or 6.30am,
No more ending classes at 7pm on Tuesdays,
No more weekly tests!

I'd swear I have had the most test in this semester compared to any other before. Literally every week we have had tests waiting.

While it was extremely tiring to anticipate all the tests, I have to say I've enjoyed the semester thoroughly.

The subjects taken this semester were:

1- Clinical Medicine
2- Avian Medicine
3- Applied Statistics
4- Theriogenology
5- Surgery of the body systems
6- Clinical rotation

1-Clinical Medicine:

Clinical medicine basically was a sequel to Clinical Skills we had last semester, by its name on clinical medicine, we dabbled a lot on various body systems and the common diseases which had high prevalence in our country. From cardiovascular to ocular system, we take a basic tour on what clinical signs we could see, the way to diagnose and confirm the disease as well as the first line management and treatment to improve the quality of life of the patient. I loved this subject a lot because its very medicine based, and I could relate a lot more. I wouldn't say I was the best scoring student, but I'm sure I will be able to make wise judgement in various approaches to the medicine.

2- Avian Medicine:

Among all subjects, I would say I have the least affinity for this subject. Probably because I knew I wouldn't be venturing into the avian industry in the future. Nevertheless, my marks for the subject turn out to be pretty much a huge surprise, despite the fact that I put the least effort in it. Avian medicine covers all infectious and non-infectious diseases affecting the domestic birds like chicken, ducks, pheasants, geese and turkey, with a little touch and go on the pet and wild birds like humming birds, parrots, cockatoos and love birds. The diseases in birds are intimidatingly vast with much in depth research explored thanks to the effort of various industry players all over the world. Let's see if I can score an A for this subject after the finals

3- Applied Statistics.

Everyone literally was dumbfounded when they saw this subject in the list. Why on earth would veterinarians need to learn about statistics? Does medical students actually have a course in this as well? Apparently, statistics is indeed important, in so many ways I couldn't have imagined before taking the course. From comparing effects of treatment between sample groups to the epidemiological status of a disease, the application of statistics is just limitless. I enjoyed the subject throughout, though I would say I should have invested a bit more time on it

4- Theriogenology

I'm not too certain if human medicine does this, but basically this course encompasses the reproductive cycle in various domestic animals. The estrus cycle, the gestation period, hormonal cycle, methods in inducing and maintaining the pregnancy, care post-partum as well as various ideas in improving reproduction efficiency of domestic animals. Plenty would probably think that we are playing god, but we are actually optimizing reproductive cylcles, which even human medicine can employ. I enjoyed this subject basically because it dealt a lot with ruminants, which I have had a lot of chances to relate to.

5- Surgery of the body systems:

A continuity from the surgery and anesthesia course last semester, the surgery this semester focused more on different body systems. There are usually diseases which indicate the surgeries' necessity, which we will need to look into the clinical signs, make a conclusive diagnosis of the diseases and employ the approaches towards the surgery. Surgery indeed is an art, literally. We were anesthetists, tailors, carpenters and veterinarians all in the same package; because everything we do in the surgery affects the outcome of the surgery and the subsequent lifespan on the patient. I would say surgery is probably not my turf, but I indeed enjoyed the part as anesthetist a lot.

6- Clinical rotation

This is probably the best among the bunch. Clinical rotation marked as the most taxing subject and the closest we can get to practicing as a veterinarian. Entering different departments in the faculty, we participate either a whole week's course or a one day course in the designated rotated department from small animal medicine, surgery, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology, small animal clinic, parasitology, virology, bacteriology, post mortem, ruminant and equine rotation to learn on various cases and practice what we have learned in class. Plenty of the seniors said that rotation is extremely tiring and stressful, but I would say I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process , despite the ups and downs in each rotation. In fact, I would say its the most fruitful course.


Basically, I loved the semester and I am looking forward to the next! I'm doing so many clinical work right now I feel like I'm one step closer in becoming a full-fledged vet. However, I still lack many important skills, which I strongly think I should get more experience. I am still torn between going to Mahidol again for placement or Hokkaido University for good 10 weeks to know for sure if I'm really into small animal medicine for now.

So much have happened this semester, good stuffs and bad stuffs. Supposingly this was my 2nd last semester if I didn't go to med school, but thanks to that I have ample time to build my skills where I need them most.

I'll probably post a little on the drama I dealt with lately, and I should do that tomorrow after I've met one of the drama queens.