One of the most common concerns in general practice is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is progressive and painful, affecting a pet’s overall well-being. For that reason, it is so important to talk about pet dental care at home and in the clinic. When speaking with owners, I start my dental consult by explaining the stages […]
Q&A with Dr. Andrea Hernandez-Bures: The Role of A Veterinary Dermatologist
Dr. Andrea Hernandez-Bures was born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico. She went to the University of Puerto Rico for her undergraduate studies and later went to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine for her veterinary degree. Following graduation, Dr. Hernandez-Bures completed a small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship in southwest […]
Tips for Getting Exotic Animal Experience
My background is in wildlife biology. My bachelor’s degree was in wildlife and pre-veterinary medicine. Before I got into vet school, I worked at a wildlife rehabilitation facility; however, once I got into vet school, I realized that I was lacking the hands-on experience. For one, there wasn’t a lot of free time to gain […]
I Hear a Heart Murmur: What Now?
Something that has always confused me, even before vet school, are heart murmurs. What is a heart murmur? Where do they come from? Why do some of them go away when some are very serious? These questions and more have left me wondering for several years. Finally, in my last semester of the didactic portion […]
Tips to Build Self-Confidence as a New Veterinarian
I have dealt with a lack of self-confidence many times in my veterinary journey. I don’t always know all the answers and doubt myself. But I have been learning from my mentors how to build self-confidence in these challenging times. Here are some tips to become a better version of yourself. Don’t compare yourself to […]
4 Steps to Nail Your First Vet Job Interview
I know how stressful and challenging the interview process can be. The process may start a few months before graduation, or some weeks after getting your veterinary state license. It doesn’t matter what your time frame is! It’s always good to start early and do your best. The first step to nail your job interview […]
Helpful Books for New Veterinarians
As recent graduates, we have a lot to remember and new challenges. We can easily forget a few things about important diseases, but having these books by my side has been helpful. Here are three of my favorite books that have allowed me to review a lot of things: 1. The New Vet Jumpstart Guide […]
What Do We Do Now? The Impact of COVID-19 on Veterinary Practices
Now that the United States is beginning to open up in response to CDC guidelines, businesses are being forced to consider how they will change their policies in response to the easing of restrictions. And veterinary hospitals are no exception. Since I joined my current practice in the middle of the pandemic, I have never […]
Avoiding Burnout: The Importance of Taking Breaks
We all know human hospitals have been slammed since the start of COVID-19. Talking with my father and sister, who are both human doctors, the anxiety and stress plaguing the practice of human medicine is tangible. I can feel it when I stand next to them. The anxiety vibes are real. They ripple through my […]
To Treat or Not to Treat?
A tiny dog with a grapefruit-sized mammary tumor received a mastectomy at our hospital about two months ago. I saw the little Yorkie the other day since her owner noticed that the lumps came back. I had the conversation about metastasis with her, and she understood that it was not a good prognosis. She was […]
