Three weeks at Origins Vets Clinic gave Josh lots of exposure to interesting cases. Plus, it was the perfect place for Josh to collect raw data for his gecko research.

Helping with x-rays on small mammals, to a CT scan on a lizard was only the beginning of Josh's incredible placement. He assisted on rabbit and chinchilla castrations, where he removed a testicle from each. And he was involved in the case of a chameleon who needed a tail amputation, a tortoise who had a shell debridement and a goose who had an enucleation. He tells us,

EMS+ grant eases financial worries

London-based student Josh was excited when he secured a placement at the specialist exotic clinic in Cardiff. But he explained “I quickly started to panic when the realism of financial constraints hit me”. As this is Josh's second-degree he's not entitled to a student loan. To support his studies, Josh has a part-time job and would need to commute back every weekend for his shifts plus find accommodation in Wales. An EMS+ grant helped Josh meet these costs. He told us,

Empowered to treat a rabbit, a chinchilla and a royal python

When Josh was invited to scrub in on the castration of a rabbit called Peter and a chinchilla called Loki he felt nervous. He explained,

Josh observed the vet remove the first testicle from each patient before removing the second himself. It was an amazing opportunity. When Josh returned to his patients for their post-op exam their wounds were healing well and they were back to their “bright and bouncy selves”.

When a beautiful royal python, called Lava, had an upper respiratory tract infection his owner needed to learn how to administer antibiotics at home. Passionate about owner education, Josh coached the client under the supervision of the vet. He administered the injection, demonstrating how to inject into the muscle. The client left feeling confident to follow the treatment plan.

Researching gecko presentations

In addition to advancing Josh’s practical skills, the placement also enabled Josh to advance his academic research skills. His research paper exploring the link between the presenting symptoms of geckos and husbandry care is worth 20% of his final year grade. Therefore, having access to case notes at the practice, including two geckos he had examined himself, gave the project a ‘solid foundation’. The paper won't be finalised until August but Josh has already noticed trends. He explained,

Getting hands-on experience with interesting cases

For Josh, this placement had a bit of everything. The varied caseload included:

• ferrets
• lizards
• sugar gliders
• rats
• waterfowl and more.

Josh's tasks included:

• conducting clinical examinations
• calculating drug doses
• administering intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous injections
• taking blood samples
• placing catheters and much more.
  

Future Prospects

When Josh graduates he hopes to pursue his interest in exotic medicine by working in a first-opinion general practice that has an exotics caseload. He then plans to take further qualifications in exotics and zoological specialisms. Josh said,

Thank you

Career-informing placements like Josh's continue to help our students transition between study to employment. They help build confidence, skills and contacts. Josh explains,