Auscultating : Course Taken in Sem 11

Wow, I have not written for, man 4 freaking months.

That must have been a record since my STPM days.

Well, I really have to admit, 5th year is VERY tiring. No wonder the seniors back then had to stop blogging after stepping into clinical years.

Before I go for the drama I have, let's have a good recap on what we had this semester :

1- Problem based learning in veterinary problem solving:

This course basically allows us to put our knowledge into situational problems and try our best to get a good timeline of how things happened, why they happened, what are the mechanism involved, who are the ones will be involved, where the problem actually arose and what can we do about it as veterinarians. It was an interesting course, I had to say that it was even more because I was the course rep; we had a fair share of fun with the highlight of us even writing and putting up a play as a presentation with a little coaxing from our group facilitator. The play was on Melioidosis, a zoonotic disease (disease transmitted from animals to humans) usually exposed to farmers and veterinarians alike. Animals usually only experience abortion or certain neurological symptoms; but humans get more extensive problems like undulating fever, pneumonia, joint pains and etc.

2- Exotic and wildlife medicine:

As the name suggested, its medicine of the exotics and wildlife. I personally think that I've learned more practical medicine in raptor medicine as compared to other kind of species like reptiles, amphibians, rodents or rabbits. This most probably was due to the fact that the latter species involved little to none exposure or practice during our rotations for which we can not even begin to apply what we have learned, let alone to actually take interest. The past year papers did have subjects on primate, elephant and deer medicine which I'd actually have interest, but the lecturer is on his study leave, so yea it got anticlimactic over there. I would consider raptor medicine if I have the chance, because raptors are just so cool! PS: The dude above is a Jambut Fruit Dove, native to Malaysia and usually reside in tropical rain forest. It was confirmed a male because females are not usually so handsome, only in green feathers. Sexual dimorphism at its best by nature!

3- Ruminant medicine:

For those who do not know what ruminants are; they are the animals with 4 stomach chambers. Does that ring any bells? Yea, the cattle(cows if you don't know), goats, sheep, camelids, and some times even deer. But we focused a lot on cattle and goat because they are more common as compared to their other counterparts. We focused a lot on infectious and management diseases because the traumatic or anatomical related diseases were covered in surgery. I always thought I would actually pay a lot of attention on this subject, because I loved them since I stepped into vet school. To my horror I had little to no will to pay attention in class, for which most of the time I was struggling to pay attention. In the back of my mind I seriously think that our curriculum and rotation probably have created some form of aversion of me towards the ruminant industry, but I really do try to keep my head in the game in learning about how the diseases come about, their pathogenesis, ways to know that its the disease for sure as well as the treatment and prevention methods. It's basically the same as other medicine subjects, but really, I thought I would love it more though.

3- Aquatic medicine

It was literally all about fishes and prawns. Like literally. I would say this is the subject everyone struggled, apart from those who had immense interest in aquatic medicine. I wouldn't say I struggled, because I actually do enjoy the classes, and only dozed off because I was too tired from night duties in rotation. Basically we learn about the anatomy and physiology of fishes and prawns, their management, the basic diseases we faced in Malaysia and how to overcome them, as well as some anaesthesia about aquatic lifeforms. We did not have marine mammals in this picture, probably because marine mammals are probably, not in the class of fishes to begin with. I actually digg this subject, but I wouldn't say I love it to the max. I'd actually enjoy most of the lectures when they made sense; probably about 20% didn't.

4- Veterinary Business

Despite everyone loathing about this subject, I would say the exposure to economical terms actually made sense. The whole subject went underrated because we had to make classes from 5 to 8pm ridiculously to make time for those who wish to have electives where lecturers are of high priority. Talk about monarchy? Anyways, this course is pretty damn underrated as well because I feel like the disease economy simply wasn't taught. I mean, when disease outbreak occurs I wouldn't know how to calculate the compensatory sum to the farmers involved! We are supposed to know this but the course doesn't provide the knowledge to; probably I should go to the lecturer and learn about it. On top of everything else, the lecturer who is coordinating the course is just too new to the curriculum, or rather our curriculum to make adjustments to the academical and practical needs from the course. I know everyone disliked the lecturer, but I would say she tried her best. What did I learn most from this course? Well, the most practical one would be the Marginal Physical Product. Which I need to get back in studying ASAP.

5- Clinical Rotations 3.0

Finally we are seniors in the rotations with juniors! Man I love it when I can get juniors to do the dirty work for me while I work on the medicine! That aside, 13 weeks of rotations were no joke. The rotations literally squeezed every little bit of our brain and body in getting out the reports, the patients, the files, the medications and man, the rounds. We had rotations for small animal surgery, small animal medicine, ruminant rotation 1 and 2, equine rotation, avian and exotics, pathology, clinical pathology, bacteriology, small animal clinics, radiology, theriogeniology, and last but never the least, swine. I thoroughly enjoyed all rotations because they all required us to put our learned veterinary knowledge into use for our patients, its just that we only put them into use in discussions because the veterinary officers are usually the ones prescribing and deciding what to do for the patients; apart from a visit to a farm with the lecturer who had no qualms in allowing us to make treatment decisions because he treated us as interns instead of students. Talk about cool.

So basically the first semester in year 5 went by really quickly, with a lot of things went on in between like clinical conference presentations and hosting,

class presentations, assignments, rotation reports and rounds,

secret santa, course night,

and my little trip to Japan for 10 hefty days.

Now you know why I didn't post.

On the side note, I don't think I would be able to post until my comprehensive examinations are over in July 2017 simple because I will be facing my Final Year Project beginning next Saturday, then continued by my FYP presentation, the thesis, then my second clinical conference, ongoing rotations, and then my CE.

It's going to be crazy, but I foresee it going to be fast as well.

2017 resolution? Ain't got nobody have time for that.

Maybe trying to get fitter and looking good in my own graduation.

Auscultating : Dates

I can easily count the number of dates I have had before;

1st before I entered university in 2011
2nd when I was still with T in 2014
3rd when I got hooked up with Tinder thanks to Alex L in early 2016
4th when I really got hooked up with so many different other applications in mid 2016

And, I guess that was it.

There wasn't any common denominator among all the dates to boot.

To convince me to go for a date is pretty easy, just make me do it.

Most people I've met on applications are probably not daring enough to make me go for the dates, except for the 2 whom I have stated above.

Succumbing to SLSE myself, I guess. Not too sure it would be the same if I had my physique back in my primes.

However, there are some criteria I would really appreciate if the dates had:
- 178cm and above, because I'm already 185 myself. Can't really imagine a 170cm beside me though. This is not absolute, but height definitely would be one of the top considerations

- Physique, best would be those with regular sports like basketball or badminton. Gym physique ain't all that high and mighty, heck sometimes even with a little tummy it can be quite appealing. Plus I', no where near fit right now.

- Educated, not professor level but enough to put up an intelligent conversation which we both can enjoy our times together, or even joke about because time wouldn't be stretchy with the boring ones.

- Asians, East Asians are definitely best; but knowing myself with my mysterious foreigner magnet; I'm probably open to most. But the cinabengs, maybe not too appealing.

- Definitely someone who have at least got through college; meaning they are at least 24 years old. Some youngsters can be a pain, but that's because they have been through less comparatively.

- People who know what they want in life, are working for it, and actually would make effort to get me to the dates. If you want me, you need to come get it.

Saying all these, I'm still not going for any dates after the last one. Probably because I'm not the dating type.

Auscultating : Attention seeker

Living alone in my own house away from my family made me realize how much I'd actually deprive from attention, from my family that is.

I probably brought the whole formula to myself.

At one point, when I go home, my family would be talking about each other's life like my elder sister's daughter, my brother's and younger sister's badminton log books; seldom about me. At most times I just feel like my presence there is just to fill the family quota full or do my job as a family member there. When I talk about my stuffs, most of the time its just a touch and go, like my grades, a bit of my plans, or my work which no one in the family could relate to. Fair enough, I couldn't relate to their badminton lives as well.

On the other hand, I avoid questions like when will I start dating; am I still together with Queen(which obviously she and I laughed about all the time). Ever since high school I've managed to sort things out for myself most of the time, and things usually work out well to my satisfaction without any need of parental or familial involvement. Most of the time I only consult them in matters which matter.

You see, I've made myself so much as a negligible presence in the equation; intentionally and unintentionally. I do enjoy the freedom from home like sparing myself from the ache of thinking what's today's dinner, the endless chores or unnecessary work at home; yet when I'm back at home sitting with everyone, I can't help feeling that I no longer fit into the family, as in what I do doesn't really matter or change anything around.

Even when I talked about my grades recently, the conversation held about 5 minutes and it ends abruptly.

I believe I am an attention seeker. Probably the attention I lack or do not want from the family brought me to other platforms like school and university. Weird enough I connect better with non-familial backgrounds than my own family.

Maybe again, its because I have extra time that I could think about this. In 2 weeks' time I probably would just immerse in school work again until I finally would graduate.

It's just another 9 more months and I will be in the market. I really wonder on which should I be prioritizing in life- family, friends, health, career or passion.

Dates? Haha, I wonder who would want to date a person like me.

Auscultating : Finally Sax

I've finally sat down, made a call, decided that it's high time for me to take saxophone classes seriously.

Albeit stepping into final year, I'd figure saxophone classes would give myself some me time, away from the faculty, classes and hell ya drama before I step into the crude working world.

That aside, it has been my dream to learn about the ever mind boggling music notes so that I would be music literate at least.

Of course I don't see myself making a name out of the jazz biz, but I do see myself hanging out in jazz bistro with the vest and bow tie one day, jazzing my way out into meeting someone maybe.

Because apps haven't been of real use to meet people, and they are usually taken.

It's alright, I'd figure I'm probably not the app user type; saxophone or a new hobby puts me out there to meet more new people, hopefully.

Wow, its gonna be August already. Wasn't it like yesterday when 2016 just knocked? Here comes 2017, and hell yes graduation.

Probably would be a good idea to set targets before I get astray by the end of the year.

Till the next post on the graduation trip!

Auscultating : Malacca

Finals ended with me knowing my grades for 2 important medicine subjects; good to know that I managed to ace them. Let's hope my CGPA remains in dean's list so I wouldn't die trying to pull the grades up next semester.

Marching into the final year in the vet school ain't no joke; as we will be required to present 2 clinical conference cases in the final 2 semesters within one slot among the 14 Fridays of each semesters.

Being me, I got in touch with one of the consultants so that I get to tag along while she have appointments on cardiac patients.

Coincidentally,(trust me I did not know) she was the academician in charge of 4 Thai exchange students and one pretty damn good looking clinician from Khon Khaen University; and I was asked if I were free to bring them around to places they have YET to go.

My list was:
1- KLCC
2- KL Bird park
3- Petaling Street
4- Putrajaya
5- Merdeka Field.

But they all have been there. I literally ORZ-ed

Then I came up with another list:
1- Sekinchan
2- Tanjung Sepat
3- Pulau Ketam
4- Kuala Selangor
5- Malacca

Lo and behold, the last one of the list became their choice.

Well, I would if I were a tourist. The only qualm I had as the driver is the traffic.

Luckily, luck was on my side, I had a smooth traffic with 1.5 hours drive through and fro, each of course.

Malacca itself is a sigh seeing place, but its really much more fun if someone knew the history to explain. I had literally little to no time to get my facts right; while I've only managed to time their itinerary like 5 hours before I fetch the next day, so I just went there without any historical knowledge of each attraction.

Our first stop was A'Famosa, also known as Porte De Santiago. Well, the sun was blazing I almost died in the heat; but we had a great picture and climb up the port to the next stop; St Paul Church.

Spent  a little time exploring the ruins, taking pictures and noticing the lost of the St Paul's right hand; probably due to the war, it's a good place to hang out for picnic I would say. Either way, to me its better for historical enthusiasts compared to me.

Came to the Dutch Square and decided not to go into Stadhuy's museums simply because there ain't value for them. Walked around and rested from the walking, took pictures, and yea. Taking pictures is what we all did. But what else can we do right?

and yea, my arm length selfie is a must.

St Francis Xavier Church was apparently in their list, but I'd figure it's more like a touch and go because they had Sunday masses. It was beautifully constructed and apparently a Japanese enthusiast brought the first priest into Malacca and founded the establishment. Cool history. 

I enjoyed this part of the day most; and it was a good thing they brought this up. We went for a gallery tour on the Chen family's Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum; where they offer a good nyonya tour guide to show us various cultural legacies available in the museum. From the altars, the architecture, the sewings and even a 1956 version of CCTV; I think the price of RM16 for a good tour to relate and know about the peranakan heritage is worth every sens. I personally feel that this was enjoyable because I could relate a lot, especially from a Hokkien background.

Heck, I even eat with hands when my grandma is around. I somewhat felt I had peranakan background because of my grandma as well; but who knows right? 

PS: I'm also 1/8th portuguese, which explains the size and height.

Spent the lunch in Jonker 88, the Thais loved the Asam and Lemak Laksa. Breakfast in Hoe Kee, was pretty disappointing for me.

Since we've managed to cover all their listed places,(there were more but not worth mentioning haha) we've decided to hit Menara Taming Sari, named after the legendary keris owned by Hang Tuah. It's a tower similar to the Solero shot machine, just that it ascends and descends much slower with a possible 360 view of the Malacca Straits. The view was fascinating, and RM15 for Malaysians is definitely worth going up. I wasn't too keen to begin with, but after the ride it was pretty impressive. The pictures you can take through the glass walls are breathtaking.

Our last stop of the day was Sam Poh Keng Temple, or Tua Pek Kong Temple. Only me and the clinician paid our respect because of our Chinese heritage. It was like other temples as well, just a little history on how Hang Li Poh was related to this temple due to the Sultan's love for her.

With everyone's legs screaming after the whole day walking under the scorching sun, I got everyone to the Capitol Satay so that we can start waiting before the line gets crazy. Good thing that we got there about 20 minutes before the line went berserkishly long, while we too only have waited 20 minutes only before we got our seats. It was a good experience, the satay broth was freakishly good with the combination of peanuts and spice; when it was piping hot some how everything went 10x better. I'm glad the Thais enjoyed it, and they were really just doing it because it wad fun doing it, not because they really wanted to have it for dinner.

So where did we have our dinner? Same ol' Bak Kut Teh in Serdang near the Wisma Boston. Surprisingly everything was good tonight because I'd swear I have worse servings here before. The soup base was sweet while the pork vinegar just killed me from inside. Their dry BKT wasn't my favorite, but the Thais thoroughly enjoyed it.

Before we called it a night, we went for our virgin arcade dance off in the Mines. It's very fun when you have something in common to go crazy with, especially with foreigners. 

It was a great outing, I was just glad that my lecturer asked me for the favor while I too enjoyed it all the way.

Auscultating : Course Take in Semester 10

Finally had the mood to sit(or rather lie) down to complete this post!

Completing the first clinical year was somewhat an instant swoosh, but definitely one year which is very much enjoyable. The second semester took our journey towards a much more medicine based curriculum, which we focused a lot more on seeing cases, diagnosing, treating, controlling and preventing them.

1) Veterinary Epidemiology

The course took us a little more on knowing how to look at disease pattern affecting a population more than an individual; and how statistics would help us in knowing efficacy of various testing methods in the market in confirming a disease. An example would be how positive a HIV test kit can be? All tests man made are subjected to errors, and the tests some way or another would have a high false positive or high false negative. Would HIV test kits be a better tool in ruling in or ruling out the disease? If the test has a much higher false positive; would be it more beneficial than it being with a higher false negative? Having higher false positive would give a false sense of infection in a person, while for those who can't really take the blow might just commit suicide upon testing. Having higher false negative would on the other hand give a false sense of security, for those who are more promiscuous and active in sexual lifestyle might not pay too much attention in safety precaution. So yes, apart from animal disease we too study a lot on human diseases this way too.

2) Public Health

This course was orientated a lot by the OiE(Officio Internationale Epizootic) for which veterinary graduates should or need to know about the food safety delivered to the public. It is an inevitable fact that our work encompasses providing viable protein sources to the population, in this case animal protein source which comes under our jurisdiction. We need to know protocols from pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest safety of the food we produce, including all animal products like meat, offal, milk, cheese, seafood, eggs, basically anything made from animals. Pre-harvest would include the disease status of the animals providing products like raw milk; harvest would be the procedures and equipments in collecting the milk, while post-harvest includes the protocols and procedures in transporting and storage of milk up till processing; for which pasteurized, sterilized and ultra high temperature treated milk are 3 of different kind of milk available by law. It was a heavy subject, but an interesting one too. On top of that, we were too exposed to a lot of one health concept, to combine the idea of medicine as a huge umbrella with human, veterinary, environment and plant medicine as one.

3) Swine medicine

A species specific course, we learn about most of the common diseases affecting the pigs in the market, from newborn piglets, weaned pigs, growing pigs, sows and boars; how these diseases affect the production and economy; how we need to diagnose them from the clinical signs and post mortem lesions or even lab tests, treating them and prevention using various commodities. You'll be surprised on the type of disease affecting these little piggies; as well as the disease which they are able to transmit to us as well such as Nipah virus.

4) Equine medicine

Another species specific course, we learn more about the common diseases affecting the horses from reproduction, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological diseases. Most problems horses have are respiratory or musculoskeletal related due to their working nature as race horses or show horses; while sadly most retired horses who aren't able to perform usually will be put down due to the cost they inflict on the farm. Nevertheless, it was great to know more about the diseases which affect these majestic giants.

5) Population medicine

As cool as the course sounded, basically this course encompassed on managing how a disease outbreak in a population would look like; as well as the common diseases would require aggressive control within the country. Various issues on how the immune belt in borders should be managed, quarantine protocols, control measures to prevent or suppress an emerging or re-emerging disease in the country.

6) Feline Canine Medicine

Taking about 50% of the bulk of notes in the semester, I paid extra attention to this subject because of its infamous reputation of high failure rate. To my surprise, I've managed to secure a safe A throughout the 2 tests; let's hope it stays that way in the finals. The course is also a species specific course, targeting the common diseases affecting companion animals like dogs and cats; ranging much to very human-like diseases which are lifestyle related such as hormonal diseases-diabetes mellitus; cardiovascular diseases- congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy as well as various cancers from prostate to bone. I thoroughly enjoy this course because I could apply the most in the wards and surgery rotation course in my cases and patients; unlike other courses which barely touched any of the cases or patients in large animal wards or even during rotation. The course brings us on a trip down on relevant history, physical examination, clinical signs, appropriate diagnostic tools, treatment symptomatically, supportive, and long term management of the disease. I guess I am much more inclined to practice companion animal medicine than farm animal medicine?

7) Rotations

Everyone would be wondering how on earth I can be this busy. Well, when you need to attend to warded cases everyday at 7am and be at home only at 9 or 10pm; you barely have the time to even go for gym to look great to fit into clothes or get a date. The rotation pushed us through 12 different departments in 12 weeks, including ruminant 1 and 2, equine, theriogenology, avian and lab animal; then small animal clinics, small animal medicine, small animal surgery, pathology, radiology and last but not least ICU. I've definitely learned a lot from the rotation; it's the only gateway for us to have hands on and learn how to do stuffs under supervision. It's somewhat like a Housemanship for vet students, just that we do it while needing to study and take tests plus joining events like Vetsport or M.Silaturrahim. The last week of rotation was rather most memorable because of us having the whole ward for ourselves without any seniors guiding us while we get the privilege to do most of the treatment and procedures to the vets' disposal. The experience allowed us to do more and learn more for sure.

Now that I've completed the 2nd semester for DVM 4, I'm officially a final year student. Man, that was a long ride wasn't it? It didn't feel like just yesterday I've stepped in as a first year, but it sure didn't feel that long till it come to the day I say I have one more year till I pop into the market. MY family is probably counting the years, but hey why bother when I've only just spent RM17,000 in my 5 years education right?

For now, Finals call!

Auscultating: Majlis Silaturahim 2016

If you don't know already or new to this blog, Majlis Silaturahim(MS) is  annual drama competition held by our faculty to initiate and instill skills apart from that of veterinary related to the students. In fact, it was initiated by one of the retired lecturer long time ago, for which the wining cup was named as Ali Rajion Cup after his name.

So our faculty literally drilled us all to excel not just in studies, skills, even in sports, managing of events heck and even drama skills.

This year, the theme was Bollywood. While originally we were all skeptical with the theme, but the organizers did a great job; from the trailers to the setting up of the background in the auditorium.

It was exceptionally hard for us the DVM 5 because we had to write up scripts, get outfits, create props, practicing and perfecting the whole performance while being in the final semester with our intensive rotation course. But we all do enjoy these out of the classroom get together sessions anyway so it was just another reason for us to spend more time before we, or actually they graduate.

While my preview snippet suggested me to be the milkman, but I was just a villager lurking around to dance and act as an extra; which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Here are few snippets of what other DVMs have had:

A little out of the norm from previous year, this time round we had our lecturers sportingly sang on the stage with very fun performance as well! It's definitely something different from the clinical department which all students would appreciate!

A common trend within the lower DVMs was the element of cross-dressing. While our DVM have too tried it in our lower DVMs, we have only used it during first year; while we progressively trying to incorporate everything else apart from cross-dressing in the subsequent years.

My academic batch definitely have put out a different kind of approach; putting Titani and Bollywood elements in their performance; with the title Titanus(any biological science background people would get the joke!)

Our DVM's performance came in as the last one in line to perform, with a high load of pressure because everyone had a high expectation from us; the consecutive winner for 2 years. With our reputation from cheerleading, we really couldn't imagine the type of expectation the audience have.

We have our stressful moments, but generally we just try to have fun on stage; trying to get into our characters and put more smiles on our dances.

The highlight of our performance is probably our snake genie who have managed to impressively grossed out everyone in the auditorium. His twists, twerks or whatever body language definitely have increased the odds of us winning.

Thankfully, we managed to nab the Ali Rajion cup one last time before we graduate; successfully being the first DVM is striking the champion for 3 consecutive years. I would say we really worked hard, because throwing performance and creating jokes for an audience are our forte; and MS is one of the few events we know we have the best chances to win. 

I'm really happy I did participate in the last MS with DVM 2016. It was a relief that my small animal ward rotation only have started a week after MS so I could have more time and energy for the practice. All in all, the event was a success and it's definitely a great memory in my DVM life!

PS: Here's something to look at if you wanna see how good our tech team is!

Auscultating : Vet Sport 2016

I was literally too busy to be bothered about posting for the past 2 months, but I'm just gld I cna make one entry today.

So Vet Sport in the final year! Not exactly the last one for me, but it was the last one with my favorite batch of vet students.

This year, I've finally make my way into sports other than Basketball; because everyone else was too busy with rotations in the hospital wards.

Participating in the Footsal and Bola Baling events was quite a rewarding experience. Everyone was happy for me to be the goal keeper for both games, simply because I have the longest limbs and highest surface area in the batch. Being said, I'm proud to keep our record at only losing to 2 batches; when we were looking at losing all.

Had a lot of fun sweating and playing with my ex-roommate as well, not to forget the enthusiasm and teamwork we had within our batchmates for the great games we had.

Fast forward to another weekend, Basketball totally thrashed my body. I had to play for 2 batches, DVM 2016 and 17 because both batches didn't have enough players. Well, I'm not exactly the best asset among both teams; I was needed to fill in the blanks as well as being the tanker to knock down opponents. Nevertheless, the games were good.

Think Basketball was the end of that weekend? Apparently not. The organizers have decided to put 2 of the most energy draining sports in one day; making only 3 hours for us to recuperate from the damage done in the morning. 

Tug-o-war have been DVM2016's favorite sport simply because we KNOW we can win. It's like OUR game, despite it being brute force with minimal strategy or skill requirement. Saying that, it was as expected that we won with a breeze. It took us probably an average of 2 minutes *I think* to take down all other DVMs. Some suggested that the juniors were giving way to seniors, but I'm sure our weight and strength weren't to be underestimated. Well, we got first place, at least for this sport.

On the finale of Vet Sport 2016, I took part also in the last Cheerleading performance in the faculty. We literally aimed for the 1st place for this event as well; because we know its OUR event. We had the best choreographer, best music, best dance moves and well, the best enthusiasm. One of the lecturer too said that he was glad he made it because our performance literally cheer people up. 

I am proud to be in this team because everyone put in effort despite being busy in rotation; our choreographer had to come in every night to guide us after 12 hours in the wards, just to keep us pushed and motivated. 

Well, Vet Sport has always been the platform to pull people closer, between batches as well as within batches. For this last vet sport, we definitely have seen more than stronger bonds than we ever had before; and I'm really glad I was there throughout the 1 month long event.

Next up, Majlis Silaturahim 2016!