Shadowing an exotic animal vet!!

So, I just found out I'll be shadowing an exotics vet for a whole day in a couple weeks. I'm very excited but also nervous because I have no idea what to expect! :P I know he works with reptiles (he is the go-to vet for my local reptile rescue) and is a big fan of them, so I think we should get along pretty well.

Just thought I'd pop in and ask you guys what the heck a herp/exotic vet does during their day, and some things I might see/do/expect. And any tips for people who have shadowed before (my first time) about how to act, dress, speak, and generally avoid being annoying or awkward.

Thanks. :)

I would say mostly he does what other vets do AVOID GETTING POOPED ON :D

Dress nicely - but not dressy. I wore some nice slacks and a nice shirt my first time - but the rest of the times I just wore scrubs. Avoid getting pooed/peed on, or bit. Try to ask questions when it seems appropriate - not when they pop into your head.

And if he hands you something - take it :P

Haha, thanks!

I was thinking I would wear either scrubs or slacks+nice shirt. Hmm...

Avoid getting pooped on? Impossible. :P

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Originally Posted by rebelrachel13

So, I just found out I'll be shadowing an exotics vet for a whole day in a couple weeks. I'm very excited but also nervous because I have no idea what to expect! :P I know he works with reptiles (he is the go-to vet for my local reptile rescue) and is a big fan of them, so I think we should get along pretty well.

Just thought I'd pop in and ask you guys what the heck a herp/exotic vet does during their day, and some things I might see/do/expect. And any tips for people who have shadowed before (my first time) about how to act, dress, speak, and generally avoid being annoying or awkward.

Thanks. :)

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General rule of thumb: don't get in the way of the vet :P

Best advice for me to give: Do not panic if something goes wrong. (i.e if an animal starts going crazy and what not)

Dress appropriately. Nothing too fancy, but comfortable. I wouldn't wear anything baggy as it could get caught on something or hinder movement. If you have scrubs, wear those. Closed toed shoes is a must, especially when around sharps and needles. You'll be standing a lot so maybe tennis shoes or something with good padding/support.

If you have questions, ask. Don't be afraid to ask even if it sounds silly. You're there to learn after all.

If the vet is examining an animal, ask what he's doing and why. If he feels something funny or odd, ask if you could feel it too.

I'm sure every exotic vet does something different throughout their work day. Most vets just do exams and treatment so you'll observe general physical exams. If you're lucky, maybe you'll see a surgery. If you're uncomfortable with something, don't hesitate to tell the vet or vet tech. I've done a few surgeries myself and I've had classmates pass out from the sight and smell of blood. (Don't lock your knees)

I hope that helped. If I think of something else, I'll add on later.

Sounds like it's going to be an exciting day for you. Hope you have fun! :)

Wow! Great advice, thanks a lot. That's what I need to hear. :D

I'm so jealous! Good luck and have fun!

So, I'm finally shadowing tomorrow. I'm excited but anxious. Any last minute advice?? :)

I'll let you guys know tomorrow evening how it goes.

Good luck!

Good luck and have fun!

I'm super jealous! Good luck :)

Thank you all! I've decided I'm going to go wearing scrubs. I have a nice green pair I can wear. :) I think that's the most appropriate and comfortable option.

I hope I get to see a surgery or two.

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Originally Posted by rebelrachel13

Thank you all! I've decided I'm going to go wearing scrubs. I have a nice green pair I can wear. :) I think that's the most appropriate and comfortable option.

I hope I get to see a surgery or two.

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Youll fit in better with scrubs on as opposed to fancy clothes

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Youll fit in better with scrubs on as opposed to fancy clothes

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I figured as much. Think I'll bring my stethoscope as well for the sake of preparedness. :cool:

Take your camera! You may be allowed to grab a few pics - and we want to see them :D
Have fun, and good luck!

Great idea. :gj:

Why do you own a stethoscope lol?

Why not? Haha. It's an everyday household item as far as I'm concerned. :)

I own a stethoscope too. I don't find it unusual. haha

lmao what do you guys use it for?

On a side note does anyone else use their temp gun for non reptile related stuff? Like sometimes i just use it to check the temps of stuff i drink or like anything i guess lol... I consider that a household item!

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

lmao what do you guys use it for?

On a side note does anyone else use their temp gun for non reptile related stuff? Like sometimes i just use it to check the temps of stuff i drink or like anything i guess lol... I consider that a household item!

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I use my stethoscope for a number of things. I'm a pre-vet student and work in a laboratory/vet clinics. It's actually really helpful to keep around the house too.

I've only used my temp gun for reptiles and to measure the wall...Sometimes I check my skin temp too. haha....

So, I just got home!

It was a long day, but much was learned and a lot of fun was had. My mind is blown with how much more I learned there than I would have at school.

It wasn't nearly as awkward/confusing as expected. I didn't collide with anyone in the hallway and nothing was dropped. Although, I messed up both of the math problems the doctor gave me as he was writing prescriptions. :oops: I aced all the questions he asked me about snakes though, and I think he really liked and appreciated my help. I asked questions when they popped up as well. Overall, I think that most people weren't too annoyed with me and the doctor was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and a very good teacher.

Everyone was really surprised to hear that I was only 17 years old and still in high school. Apparently, most people don't start shadowing until college or even vet school. I thought that was really odd because from what I've heard, shadowing is a normal and recommended activity for high school students. So, I guess that gives me an advantage and a really good preview of what I might be watching, studying, and possibly performing in future years.

As far as what happened, I saw LOTS of interesting procedures/appointments of various animals, including but not at all limited to:
-A post-op male great dane (spleen removed), I assisted performing an EKG
-A canine neuter (not interesting at all actually, hehe, but I was glad to see)
-A bearded dragon loaded with parasites (coccidia and a few others)
-Juvenile iguana with abscess or tumor causing massive swelling in its eye and mouth
-Large cockatoo getting its extremely overgrown nails and wings clipped; heavy plucker
-Border collie with suspected copperhead bites, had fever and infection
-A male cat with a morbidly distended abdomen, filled with fluid, unknown cause
-An elderly dachshund with horrible teeth, the worst most of the employees had seen
-Probably a dozen fecals... not interesting, but didn't gross me out one bit
-Two rabbits; one getting a checkup and the other with dental problems
-The resident Sulcatas grazing in their own dedicated outdoor yard
-A senior vet school student on a 2 month internship

:gj:

Thanks to everyone for the advice and wishes!! I think it paid off and I hope to go back again soon. To anyone considering shadowing, or who has the opportunity to do so, I absolutely recommend it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it and it will learn a lot.

Congrats! Sounds like you really got to see a good variety of stuff! Thanks for the update!:gj:

Thats awesome and sound like alot of fun. Definetly more learned there in one day than probably a week in highschool! If I had the drive to go to 8+ years of school i would defiently go to veterinary school. Unforntunately i hate school and dont love all animals equally so that would not work out well lmao. But my friend is going to UConn for that and absolutely loves it. Hes been working alot with farm animals since UConn has like a whole farm and it always smells like horse crap when i go to visit, yuck lol. Are you planning on going to school to be a vet rachel?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Are you planning on going to school to be a vet rachel?

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Currently that is the plan. :)