Many dark bay geldings

First case this morning was stitch removal on a 17hh dark bay handsome old boy. Stitches were snipped out from a wound on the medial tarsus which the patient had managed to align right over his vein and I am reliably informed 'pissed blood everywhere' when he came in. Vet kept head right up next to stifle when leaning over to do the stitches. Thought this was pretty sensible for general kick avoidance. Also vaccinated their little shettie field mate who had a simply adorable pink hearts fleece rug on and was quite a character.

Second in was a set of forelimb radiographs on another big 17hh bay gelding with a history of laminitis. Radiographs were to check for changes in the feet consistent with laminitis or founder. No changes were present, but some osteophytes possible on the proximal interphalangeal joint. Took obliques to check out the osteophytes. Nothing major.

Got stuck in loads of traffic after a horrible accident where a lorry and a car seemed to have tangoed up the central reservation. The car had come off worse and the central reservation was all over the wrong side of the road. Grim.

Eventually made the visit, albeit late, to another dark bay gelding, 25y/o, for a general once over. This consisted of a mini-vetting (vet had to borrow my pink stethoscope - he worked it!); eyes, skin, heart, lungs, palpation etc. Some swelling was present over right stifle and tendon sheath of the right hind. Watching the movement he seemed to be dropping his hip more on the right hand side and at trot was visibly lame. Lameness worse to flexion, seemed to isolate to the fetlock (flexion rarely exacerbates stifle lameness). Took blood. Further appointment made.

Last, but not least two dentals. One on a gorgeous gray mare. No sedation required although she did fidget a little.Used power tools. Very good; had a feel of before and after and the difference is remarkable. Did teeth on a huge coloured 6y/o showjumper next. Sedated with Domosedan to take the edge off (he tried to rear a few times) and then did teeth with power tools. Had a few ulcers from sharp points on his teeth. Re-do in 6months. Got to have another cheeky feel. Love being out. Learning things!

A good day.

Them's my reasons and I'm sticking to them.

Blissed out cat

Because I am a sensible growed-up type of person and I value my career prospects I decided to set off for my first rotations as sleep deprived and unprepared as possible (I woke up this morning after about 4 hours kip and too much dancing next to a totally blissed out cat). It seems to be important for a vet to be able to operate on very little sleep and I felt the need to develop this skill. Them's my reasons and I'm sticking to them. Tomorrow morning at 6am I will reflect upon the decisions I made this week and probably wonder if my reasoning was sound, but that's what hindsight is there for. Week 1 is equine so I figure so intensive anatomy swotting during the vet's morning meeting might be a good plan. Fingers, paws, hooves etc. crossed.

T-minus two days until they let me loose

Cripes, where have the weeks gone? It dawned on me, whilst packing my worldly possessions into my van, that from Monday onward I am a vet. Granted, I will be a vet-in-training, but still a real-life vet. I hope that the first few weeks are gentle and give me a little chance to find my feet again. It's more than a little daunting to be released into the veterinary profession after so many years of lecturing on campus and watching from the sidelines. As my lovely flatmates helped me carry my stuff downstairs after our enchilada feast I felt a little fearful. It will pass. My new life as a veterinary rotations student is about to begin and I need to give myself over to that for a while and concentrate.

On a slight tangent, it seems prudent to remind myself and anyone else who happens to read that Rule #1 of the Royal Veterinary College is don't date anyone at the College. I hate being right sometimes.

On a complete tangent, my Macmillan Cancer Support vest is here (at home) and I am quite excited about going out for a run in it tomorrow. Let's keep the fingers crossed for blue sky and sunshine. I'm running the London Triathlon for Macmillan Cancer Support this year and you can sponsor me (if you so wish) by visiting www.justgiving.com/Hannah-Louise-Jordan.