What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:06:26 GMT

Interestingly enough, I personally disagreed with a great deal of Mr Fielden's article; perhaps I qualified too late. Every generation has its own challenges and the fact that the world economy isn't the same as it was in 1971, is hardly a tragedy. How big was the SA market in 1971? Certainly I agree there's an oversupply, absolutely agree that strong leadership is key; but let's not look at the past; let's look at the future. Vets may have had a great time in the 70s, but I seem to remember reading about 3 day weeks, rampant inflation, strikes, and a few other bits and bobs (the US had 'stagflation'.)

I'm not saying for a moment that Mr Fielden's not a caring, committed veterinary surgeon, I just think he's got a very rose-colored view of the beginning of practice. Most every vet does, I expect.

But why are women a 'blessing in disguise'? Why does Mr Fielden not consider a legion of intelligent, driven, talented women the best thing that's happened to the profession since the invention of sliced bread? Certainly there are more vets now; the fact that the majority of graduates are women is (i feel) absolutely irrelevant.

Sure, corporates are expanding left right and centre. Yes, clients are spending less at the vets. Let's find out why. Look at the bits the corporates do right, and use that. Look at the bits they screw up, and kick them to the kerb. Yes, new grads are pouring out. While the Powers that Be aren't doing much, let's do what we can to help the new grads. (I agree with Mr Fielden totally on this point.)

Let's teach them to be the employees we need, or if they're not suited to do that, let's help them find the places or the education that will make them tomorrow's practice owners. But the rest of the world hasn't had their careers handed to them on a silver platter for many years now; sure it's not nice that it's time to pay the piper but now it's time to prove we've got the chops to take what the world throws at us and throw it back with success.

We are an honorable, caring, hardworking profession with an oath to uphold the welfare of our patients. To keep the practice management folks happy, if that's not a USP that makes us KOL's (who eats a BLT for lunch!) then what is?!

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

bob lehner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:12:50 GMT

Having just read the interesting if somewhat down-beat article in this week's Vet Times - 'Veterinary future looks far from rosy' - by Henry Fielden MRCVS I would think the best present for the vet student would be an application form for the nearest medical or dental school.

(A thought-provoking article - have to say I agree with a lot of it).

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:21:48 GMT

Sorry. It's rare I need to time anything on farm and in the case of something like a colic then I get the owners to time with their phone!

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Elisabeth Knappett — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:20:23 GMT

Possibly I could have been clearer - a fob watch which is waterproof with a second hand etc. Wall clocks not hugely helpful on farm calls.......

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:14:48 GMT

[quote user="Elisabeth Knappett"]Or a good quality watch which is waterproof etc with a second hand?[/quote]

I'm not sure a wrist watch is very appropriate for a vet. Even a waterproof one is asking to harbour bacteria somewhere. Doctors have not been allowed wrist watches for many years. They are not appropriate in a clinical environment. Put wall clocks in the consult room. Another vet has a nurse type fob watch.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Elisabeth Knappett — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:57:13 GMT

Iain - you read my mind!! Or a good quality watch which is waterproof etc with a second hand? Could get engraved as well?? does she have any particular interests - a good quality set of hoof knives/testers would be good if horse orientated.

Or a lifetimes supply of thermometers..........

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Anthony Dennison — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:07:06 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Textbooks sound horribly boring for a 21st birthday though![/quote]

That's because you're not in touch with the veterinary yoof of today

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Iain McAllister — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:53:17 GMT

Pay off her student loan

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:27:40 GMT

I have a bit of a stethoscope 'problem'.

Bought the obligatory Littmann classic II SE at vet school. Still have it 12 years later. Not used the bell for 11 years!

When I was a student I was watching consults and a dog came in. The vet had an 'interest' in cardiology. He told me the dog had a 1/6 murmur. I tried listening and said I honestly couldn't make it out with the above steth. He gave me his to try. It was a revelation and the murmur was clear to my untrained student ears. I went on ebay and bought a Tycos Elite Cardiology - same as he had. came with a selection of chest pieces but I have the smallest one fitted for use on dogs and cats.

Was working for a time at 2 practices and missed my Tycos cardiology model that I bought a second one.

My Littmann classic went missing for a while and in a fit of madness I bought a Littmann Vet stethoscope (a Master classic with longer tube). The longer tube and flatter head makes it my 'go to' steth for all large animal work.

If I didn't have two cardiology steths I'd buy the Cardiology III. Although some cardiologists seem to prefer the tycos.

I do like my own instruments so I did own a personal opthalmascope as an employed vet, with no great opthamology leaning.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Rob Loxley — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:52:19 GMT

A set of her own surgical scissors and dental instruments to love and cherish and not lend to others?

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:59:10 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]A decent laptop, or perhaps an ipad/generic tablet? [/quote] Surely the parent in question is asking what specific veterinary item would be suitable - she's probably already got/is getting a laptop/tablet whatever anyway. So I would go for a good stethoscope as the ones in practice are usually cheap crap.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:46:43 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]A few decent text books might be good, like a good differential diagnosis book? Ettinger is awesomely detailed, but is massive[/quote]

And a Fossum, and an Adams' Lameness if she's horsey.

Textbooks sound horribly boring for a 21st birthday though!

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

patrick murphy — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:11:13 GMT

I often buy summer locum's something, a pediatric Littman for small furries goes down nice, or some nice rabbit/rodent dental stuff.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:22:49 GMT

A decent laptop, or perhaps an ipad/generic tablet? I've heard there are some good vet apps out there, is that right Mark?

A few decent text books might be good, like a good differential diagnosis book? Ettinger is awesomely detailed, but is massive

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Rob Loxley — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:48:13 GMT

Good stethoscope, but IME best varies by species and there's a lot of personal preference over model: I've never got on with either of our digital stethoscopes, and own a Littman Master Classic II and a Classic II Infant.

A 20D lens: some people swear by them but I've never got the hang.

Some money for good reference books would be my suggestion

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

David Mills — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:21:54 GMT

Second the Macbook Air. Fabulous bit of kit, super fast, loads of memory.

Failing that, the Littmann cardio III stethoscope (retails £125-150) is an exqusitie stethoscope, perfect for use in dogs and cats with its two diaphragms.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:09:40 GMT

I tried a Littmann electronic stethoscope and hated it.

Ophthalmoscope no good if the young lady is not specially interested in ophthalmology. And if she is she might prefer to choose her own.

Sorry to be so negative.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Mark Rowland — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:07:08 GMT

If the client has the money, I would get her a MacBook. I praise the day I got mine.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Bob Russell — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:30:18 GMT

A good quality stethoscope is always a nice gift. Not sure that a digital one will meet with anything but smiles!

Worst case scenario you can always have more than one!

Alternative some good quality waterproofs and wellies!

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

Wren — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:53:12 GMT

I'm not sure what the answer is but surely an opthalmoscope is something that a future boss will be providing for her? I've never owned one nor felt the need. I would assume she's got a stethoscope.

I got non-vet things for my 21st - made to measure long leather riding boots and tweed riding coat. I still use them (many years later) on a weekly basis.

Maybe textbooks? There's some I'd like to buy now that I can't justify as they're £100+ and what I did buy when I was a student is still loved and used on a regular basis.

Re: What would be a good gift to a Vet Student?

James Laidlaw — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:52:31 GMT

Digital stethoscopes are cool if have money to burn. The cheap ones can e engraved and I am hooked now I have had one for a few years. The top range can record audio for playback and analysis, which is kinda cool if you're a geek like me too.