Y3S1 Week 11: Dental Extractions, SLO, and a Corn Maze!

We are over the halfway point of the semester, and it is wild how fast time is passing! Monday began with a quick whirl around the block with Churro before heading to the rec for some interval training on the treadmill. We then had a lecture on discolored and fractured teeth along with a dentistry case discussion. The theme for our comparative course was drug calculations. We had a nice two-hour session on this topic and were able to practice our calculation skills. Drug calculation errors make up a significant number of medical mistakes, so understanding how to properly convert units and calculate appropriate doses is crucial.

After that session we were done with class for the day, so I had the chance to get in a nice swim at the rec center before heading to a chiropractor appointment. The rest of the afternoon included some meal prepping and a nice walk with Churro.

Tuesday morning began with a 3 miler with Churro followed by a hot yoga session. We then had two lectures explaining the principles of exodontics, which is basically a fancy word for tooth extraction. The rest of our morning sessions were centered around maxillofacial trauma in dogs and cats, and the treatment options available for these injuries.

That afternoon, we had our Bible study meeting. We had some new members join which is always exciting and dove into some quality conversations. It is truly a privilege to be able to chat with an awesome group of faith-filled people on campus and put life into perspective. The rest of the afternoon was free, so I was able to take Churro for a nice walk around the arboretum and get some things done around the house before spending some time practicing my suturing skills.

Wednesday morning started off with a nice 7 miler with Churro followed by a lecture on difficulties surrounding opening the mouth. Most of these issues involved the TMJ and it was interesting to learn about other conditions that can cause problems for our patients. We then had two lectures on oral tumors in dogs and cats. During lunch I had some time to go on a walk at the arboretum before heading back for a dental extraction lab.

Out of the three dental labs, this lab was my favorite. We had the chance to practice giving nerve blocks and performing different extractions on a dog head cadaver. We were put into teams of two, and each learned how to extract a mandibular incisor. We then worked as a team to extract a canine tooth and a fourth maxillary premolar. The canine and premolar extraction involved making a flap and drilling away some of the bone to successfully take out the tooth. The premolar extraction also involved sectioning the tooth so that we could make sure we got all three roots and didn’t leave any of the tooth behind. My partner and I finished the mandatory extractions a little early and had the opportunity to extract the other canine and a few extra incisions. Overall, this lab provided a great learning opportunity, and I now feel more comfortable with extraction techniques. The rest of the afternoon included some quality time outside with Churro.

Thursday morning started off with a quick whirl around the block, followed by a hot yoga session. I then had the chance to hop in the pool for a quick swim before heading to campus for our weekly morning prayer session. This week, we had about 7 students, which was heartwarming. It has truly been amazing to see God work on this campus, and I am grateful for the faithfulness of our faculty and students. I then had the chance to practice my suture skills in the anatomy lab before running a few errands.

Arboretum!

I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon learning about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and the potential nutritional interventions that can help delay its onset and progression. As a Standard Process student representative, it is always interesting to dive into the benefits of whole food nutrition and how they can impact the course of disease. The rest of the afternoon included a nice walk at the arboretum with Churro, followed by some cleaning around the house and an early bedtime.

Friday started off with a quick run with Churro, followed by some resistance training at the rec center. We then had a lecture on palatal defects and oronasal fistulas, followed by our final dentistry case-based discussion. It was awesome to see how much we all learned over the course of a few short weeks, and I am excited to continue to apply this knowledge as I continue in my career. The rest of the morning included a comparative session centered around medical math and drug calculations. We ended the session with a little jeopardy game to practice our skills as well as create a little competition between the groups.

After our medical math jeopardy game, I packed up a few things and headed down to San Luis Obispo for the weekend. Churro and I had the privilege of house-sitting for Gretchen, who happens to own one of Churro’s best buddies, Booker. I will never pass up a reason to spend the weekend in SLO, and it’s even better when Churro gets to hang out with his buddy. 

Saturday morning began with an awesome 13.5-mile trail run with lots of wildlife sightings, including some deer! Running with two dogs who have a strong prey drive is not the easiest thing, but everyone managed to stay upright, and nothing too wild happened. That morning, I also had the chance to volunteer at one of the Doggy Days pop-up clinics. It is always a blast working with the undergrads and providing care for those in the local community who cannot afford to see a veterinarian. The clinic lasted approximately four hours, and we were able to provide preventative care for countless dogs and cats. Seeing the clients’ appreciation and watching the students develop their skills while helping those in need is always special, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to stay involved in this program.

Doggy Days Clinic!

The rest of the afternoon included a doggy playdate at Jenn’s house with Churro, Booker, Daisy, and Remi.

Family picture after finishing the maze!

That evening, my sister and parents came into town, and we were able to have a nice dinner together and participate in the giant Brookshire Farms 4.5-acre nighttime corn maze. After a 45-minute flashlight adventure, we successfully made our way through the maze. This was a fun way to spend some family time together and try something new in the area!

Sunday morning started off with a family hike around the Pismo Preserve. The weather was perfect, and the clouds had blown off about halfway through the hike, making for a gorgeous view. I then took the pups for a little beach time before meeting back up for breakfast as a family. We then parted ways, and I took the dogs for one last adventure at the Avila Valley Barn. I had brought some dog costumes, and to their dismay, I dressed both of them up and made them pose for some Halloween pictures. While I don’t think that was their favorite part of the weekend, I think the people watching the whole debacle enjoyed it. We then hopped back in the car and dropped Booker home before trekking it back up to Davis. Once Churro and I made it home, the rest of the evening was spent unpacking and preparing for the upcoming ovariohysterectomy surgery!

Costume pups!

Weekends like this are always a nice reminder of what really matters in life, and it was so nice to be able to spend some time with family and furry friends.

The best duo around ♡

Quote of the week: “You don’t want to mess around because if you mess around you will find out.” -Dr. Boaz Arzi on retrobulbar diseases

Pismo Preserve Hike!