Kemble's First Site Visit to Durant Animal Hospital

Front View of Durant Animal Hospital

It is Friday, October 9, 2015 and I have made my first site visit to Durant Animal Hospital located in Durant, OK.  I had called the hospital previously and spoke to Dr. Boyd Mills, DMV, owner of Durant Animal Hospital and with his office manager, Tara to get permission to view the location.  Dr. Mills was very happy to allow me to shadow (follow) him around as I explained to him that this was an English project and that I was also studying to be a vet.  Tara the office manager was very polite with me but also very professional.  I explained to her that I needed to take pictures of the site and she said that would be fine but no pictures of any operations or certain procedures would be allowed.  The hospital does not allow video to be taken therefore no videos will be posted of my research site.  I had no problem with this as I want to make sure that I don’t take away anyone’s right when viewing my blog posts (not everyone wants to see blood or internal organs).  With permission given to observe and take pictures, I told Tara that I would have no problems with her reviewing any pictures that I would take before I left the premises for the day.  This seemed to please her very much and of course, before I left, I took my camera to Tara for review.  All of my pictures for the day passed her inspection and I thanked her for allowing me to take them.  Well, now on to how my day went.

It was a little overwhelming when I first stepped through the door, notebook and pen in hand with my camera hanging around my neck.  I wore a good pair of jeans, boots, and one of my Texas A & M University – Commerce tee-shirts.  I wanted to make sure that I was professional but that I would also give the impression that I was a student there to learn, ask questions, and observe.  I had my permission forms in my notebook to make sure that anyone I spoke with, took pictures of, or pictures of their animals gave me written permission in order to make sure I would be protecting their privacy.  I did/do not want to violate anyone’s rights, do it all legal, and not mess up this site review for any other future students wishing to shadow this site.

 

Now my brain starts to go into double time.  What questions am I going to ask?  What am I doing here?  How are the patients and the staff going to perceive my presence here?  Everyone is looking at me funny, especially with my camera and notebook in hand.  One person asks if I am a reporter with the newspaper there to do a story.  I briefly explain that I am a Pre-Vet student from Texas A & M – Commerce there to shadow Dr. Mills and to work on a research project for my English class.  “Oh, you chose a very good vet to watch”, was the response the client gave and sat down with a smile.  I wait my turn to go up to the counter and tell the receptionist/front desk personnel that I was there to shadow Dr. Mills and told them my name.  Just at that time, Dr. Mills walks out and I go up to him and tell him who I am and he tells me to follow him.   

Dr. Mills, Ms. Debra Eward (puppies owner) Davina Bagby (vet tech)

We go back to a large exam room / operating room and in walks Ms. Debra Ewart carrying a basket.  I explain to her that I am there observing and shadowing Dr. Mills and ask her permission to watch, take pictures, and talk to her.  She smiles and tells me it is okay.  I explain to her that even though she has given me her verbal permission, I needed to have it in writing and gave her my notebook with the permission forms.  She states that she understands and gladly fills out my form.  Afterwards she lifts the lid off the basket and inside are some Boston Terrier puppies that I believe were 3 days old.  The puppies were there to get their dew claws removed.  Davina Bagby (a vet tech.) and Dr. Mills have a system down.  He pick up a puppy and removes the dew claws (the extra nail located just above the paw – would be like a thumb on a human) and Davina cauterizes the area to prevent bleeding.  The puppies are then placed back into their warm basket with blankets.  The four puppies are soon done and Ms. Ewart and her puppies are on their way back home.  Next comes Mr. Charles Holland to have the same procedure done on his litter of 5 day old puppies.  I go through the process of explaining that I am there observing and ask for verbal and written permission.  Mr. Holland also consents and signs my form.  I will go through this process with all the clients that I meet today along with any staff of the hospital.

Boston Terrier Puppies

Davina Bagby signing permission

 consent form.

Lab Area

X-ray Area

 As I go through different rooms of the hospital, I begin to take pictures of them.  There is a lot of equipment present, some I know what they are for while others I look at and wonder.  This is my first year of pre-vet school so I too am still learning.  I find things a little overwhelming.  A lot is going through my mind and I still don’t know where to begin.  I feel like I am in a whirlwind not knowing when it is going to stop.  There is so much to take in and I just don’t know where to begin.  Okay, time to slow down and just observe, take pictures and take in as much as I can the first day.  I will not worry with too many questions today and just observe.  If a question pop up, I will ask, otherwise just breath and watch. 

Dr. Mills and a bull from Redstone Cattle Co.

 Next we head out to the livestock area where a white bull (intact male) is waiting to be seen.  He has a swollen and injured penis.  Dr. Mills walks over to the cattle shoot and drop down a panel which allows him to observe and inspect the organ without harm coming to him.  It appears that he may have gotten cut by a thorn.  Dr. Mills cleans him up, applies some medication, consults with the owner of Redstone Cattle Co., orders some meds to be sent home with the bull, and this visit is done.  Things at this point are a little slow so Dr. Mills decides it’s time to grab a bite to eat and I go to the waiting area to await his return.  Most of the staff goes on lunch as there is a lull in activity and the hospital is almost bare.  It is about 1:00 right now and I begin to take pictures of the waiting area and some of the signs that greet the incoming patients and their owners.

Welcome Sign in Waiting Area

Picture of 2 of the exam room door from waiting area.

Waiting Area

Thank you sign in waiting area.

Heather McGee (front desk) checking for microchip

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While waiting, a lady walks into the hospital with a beautiful Pembroke Corgi.  She states that the dog was running loose up and down the main street in town and that she drove around trying to find the dog’s owner.  No one seemed to be looking for this boy.  She came to the hospital to see if she could find some help.  Johnathon Sample is in the waiting room with his Chihuahua waiting on some test results and Laura Clayton is there to get some medication for her cats and dogs.  The lady with the lost dog asks Heather McGee (front desk receptionist) if she could help.  Heather goes to the back and brings out a chip scanner to see if the dog has been microchipped.  The dog appears to be well taken care of and has a collar on.  No chip is present.  The woman states that she has to get back to work and Ms. McGee states that she does rescue work and that she could take the dog home and care for him until his owner could be found.  Ms. McGee will be posting pictures and information on the local rescue Websites to try to find his owner.  The dog will be taken care of until his owner can be found and if no owner is found, he will be placed into a new and loving home.  All turns out well.

Dr. Mills with Davina's assistance floating a horse's teeth.

Dr. Mills comes back from lunch about an hour later and the hospital is getting busy again.  He goes back out to the livestock area with Davina and me in tow.  Two older horses are waiting to get their teeth floated (the filing down of sharp teeth).  The horses are taken into a horse shoot and given a shot to make them sleeping.  The shot does not completely put them to sleep but makes them sluggish and puts them into a carefree state.  Once the shot takes effect, Dr. Mills begins to float their teeth.  Mr. Joe Green, the horse’s owner, stands beside me and takes pictures too.  Dr. Mills jokes with Mr. Green while he is working and the two have a few good laughs.

Many more patients and their owners come and go as the day carries on and I am in awe as I follow Dr. Mills around.  The hospital stays busy.  I have to get home to my children so I say my goodbyes and thank all there for their time.  My mind is spinning with everything I saw.  I saw dewclaws removed, cows being examined, horses get their teeth floated, dogs get neutered, surgical AI’s (artificial insemination), blood drawn and test done on it, along with regular well checks and immunizations done today.  It has been a very long day and I definitely look forward to the next.