Week 5 - Skin Tags

Skin tags are small flaps of tissue that hangs off the skin by a connecting stalk. Rarely is it ever dangerous for either humans or animal. But besides tags Dr. Stamps found a fatty tumor growing on the belly of a Goldendoodle. A fatty tumor is not to different from a regular tumor the only noticeable difference between the two is that fatty tumors are made up of fat tissues. It doesn't seem that the tumor was growing so Dr. Stamps left it alone. The Goldendoodle was well behave during the whole appointment

Then I got to observe a lactation repair surgery. Which is veterinarian language for stitching a wound. The dog was a German Shepard who had a leg wound that is believed to be caused by a fence. Unlike neutering or spaying, the drugs used on the dog was different and an IV didn't need for the stitching. During this week Tracy taught me how to make cones and how to use a special type of sponge to keep the cone on the animal's neck.  

Cones that I made

What a Skin Tag looks like

Week 4: Testing

On Tuesday I got to observe a gray female wiemmear. Who developed a rash around her abdomen, Tracy one of the registered vet techs at the hospital perform a skin test. I helped Tracy by holding the dog's leash while she rubs a piece of tape on both sides of her abdomen since that was where the rash was. Then she put it on a rectangle lens and dipped it a blue, red, and purple liquid. Then put it underneath a microscope. The results from the test show that there were some bacteria and yeast.

The rash is treatable and not too hard to cure. But it does take a while Tracy explained to me that at the minimum the rash will disappear at 3 weeks but it can take longer depending on the rash.  Another thing that was discovered on the dog was a tumor that was developing underneath its eyelid. Dr. Stamps explained that the tumor isn't a concern right now but if it continues to grow then it needs to be removed. Another appointment that we had was dealing with a shelter dog named Frick. He was anxious around humans and need to be sedated in order to perform his annual check-up. Which went smoothly and the dog didn't bite anyone dispute how nervous he was. 

Picture of bacteria and yeast underneath 

Week 3: Odd Teethes

Thanks to the weather this week I was only able to go on Tuesday for my internship. But to make up for the lack of stories I took pictures with the hospital's consent. I was able to get a few sugary photos. Including one of them doing a tooth extraction from a male french bulldog. The reason why the french bulldog needs their teeth removed was that they were starting to grow in a weird place there were two adult teeth that were growing at the roof of the dog's mouth. So the vet took x-rays before and after they pulled the teeth out.

I hope next week will be a better week and that I can finally start on my project. 

Female French bulldog after spray surgery 

Tooth remove surgery on a male french bulldog

Week - 2: Tuesday is Surgery day and diabetes

January 30 was a very busy morning. I was able to witness my mentor and the employee's their prep for surgery. Before they interact with the dog they sanitize the surgery area. After that, they prepare the dog before the patient undergoes surgery, The first check for anything that could indicate that the dog is not ready for surgery. Next is shaving the area that they plan to make an incision. Then they put a tube in one of the dog's front legs. Then they give the dog anesthesia through the tube and keep giving it until the dog is fully asleep. 


The first dog to go under surgery was a dog with diabetes that is also blind. The reason she needs surgery was to remove some abnormal tissue from her genitals. The other dog I got to see undergo surgery was an 8-month-old puppy who had some baby teeth that didn't fall and was starting to overlap with the adult teeth. One thing I learned that day is that it takes a while to prep and do surgery. Another thing I got to see was how they tested for diabetes for dogs. They had to take a fecal and urine sample to find if one of the patients who owned a Boston terrier showed any signs for diabetes.  

Picture of an dog's eye that was caused by diabetes.