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| Cats with breathing difficulties (dyspnoea) are very challenging to manage. This cat has metastatic mammary adenocarcinoma with cavitated pulmonary lesions and a pleural effusion. |
Today's post contains a great interview with an emergency vet and a link to a thought-provoking piece on shark culling by expert Christopher Neff.
As a general practitioner I always admire that breed of vet who dedicates their career solely to emergencies. Yes, we all enjoy the challenge of an adrenalin rush, but I don't mind my adrenalin rushes being punctuated by vaccinations or non-eventful anal gland expression sessions. I am fascinated by those who do emergency work full time. Dr Trudi McAlees is a registered specialist in emergency and critical care at Animal Accident and Emergency Essendon and Point Cook.
As a general practitioner I always admire that breed of vet who dedicates their career solely to emergencies. Yes, we all enjoy the challenge of an adrenalin rush, but I don't mind my adrenalin rushes being punctuated by vaccinations or non-eventful anal gland expression sessions. I am fascinated by those who do emergency work full time. Dr Trudi McAlees is a registered specialist in emergency and critical care at Animal Accident and Emergency Essendon and Point Cook.
When she's not tackling acute abdomens,
trauma and intoxications, she undertakes research on topics as diverse as
bacterial colonisation of IV catheters and the influence of the full moon on
the number of accessions to emergency clinics.
She's a straight-shooting,
right-to-the-point, problem solving machine. SAT was lucky enough to
e-interview her ahead of her appearance at the Centre for Veterinary
Education's emegency conference in February (visit here for
more info).
What sparked your interest in emergency
medicine?
My first job was in a small
country town in NZ with lots of working and hunting dogs. They have the best
trauma.
What are the most challenging emergencies you deal
with?
Dyspnoeic cats.
How do you keep current in your field?
Teaching - you have to know it before
you can teach it - and if you don't, someone will always ask you a tricky
question.
What crash cart item would you never be
without?
A knowledgeable emergency nurse!
Can you share any tips for dealing with
emergencies?
Try to keep your heart rate lower than
that of the patient.
What was your most adrenalin fuelled
emergency moment?
My first GDV - on my own with the
practice nurse, 3 months after graduating. The dog arrested, we got him back
and he went on to have a long and happy working life.
How do you wind down?
Relaxing at home with my dogs, or going
for a ride on my horse.
Swimming in the ocean is a risky business, for humans and sharks alike.
Sharks and protestors alike have been copping flak from the media and the West Australian Government in the wake of its controversial shark-culling policy. But Christopher Neff, lecturer at Sydney University's Department of Government and International Relations, argues, sharkbites are not governable events - yet policymakers are being lost in a no-win blamefest. He offers some sensible suggestions here.
Shark culling
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| A lego shark at Sydney Aquarium. |
Sharks and protestors alike have been copping flak from the media and the West Australian Government in the wake of its controversial shark-culling policy. But Christopher Neff, lecturer at Sydney University's Department of Government and International Relations, argues, sharkbites are not governable events - yet policymakers are being lost in a no-win blamefest. He offers some sensible suggestions here.
