The end of the week in Hannover (including part of the free weekend), I spent observing and helping in the clinics. I really enjoyed comparing how the hospitals function in Germany versus the U.S. as well as just observing procedures and learning in general. I am so glad that TiHo is in the process of moving to their new hospital because they definitely need it. I went to the small animal clinic on Friday. They had rooms behind rooms and many places had to be multi-purpose in order to fit everything. I would think that the clinic at A&M is small for all that goes on there, but this was tiny. I am excited for them to get some more space.
When we observed surgeries, there were three tables set up in the same room (and they almost used all of them). I guess by a functional standpoint this makes sense because then all the technicians, supplies, etc are in the same room, but on the other hand, it gets rather crowded quickly (hence 4 students standing trying to observe as well). I was very excited to see procedures I had never seen before. We watched them take out urethral stones from a Yorkshire terrier, but since they could not get them all out, they left the incision open so the dog could still urinate. I wish we could have stayed to watch them open the abdomen to take out the bladder stones; maybe next time.
On the weekend, I was able to help at the zoo and wild bird portion of TiHo. This was really great opportunity to get some hands on experience and help out the German students that came on the A&M trip in March. We worked with all kinds of birds (African grays, budgies, pigeons, chickens, parakeets, etc) as well as small mammals in the small animal clinic. The most interesting/different thing that I noticed (although I have not observed the wildlife procedures at A&M) was that when we took radiographs of a wild bird that had a broken coracoid bone (so basically poor prognosis), the veterinary student was able to euthanize the bird immediately without calling a clinician first, taking the drugs out of a locked cabinet, or being a veterinarian. I do not know if the procedures are different for wildlife or Germany—but I thought this was very interesting because that would definitely not be an option in a small animal clinic (or owned animal).
I am so glad we had the opportunity to visit and work with the clinics (and thus I am really glad that I stayed in Hannover for the weekend and had this opportunity). Every chance I can get more experience in my future career is an amazing opportunity. I really enjoyed working with the German veterinary students— all of them were very nice and willing to help us. And on that note, all of them were very knowledgeable.
I definitely think that the clinics were one of my favorite parts of the trip so far. I am glad that this was added to the itinerary from previous years. Definitely a keeper! Now it is off to Basel!
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