Appointment Information

How Southside works

What to expect:

• Students work in teams of two: one student serves as the primary clinician and the other serves as the assistant. You will switch roles with every new client you see. First-time clinicians will be paired with a more experienced student clinician.

• Please arrive at the Community Center at 5:30 to help set up.

Appointments:

• Student clinicians should spend approximately 30 minutes with each patient. Use your time efficiently!

• Retrieve your patient information from the front desk, then proceed to take a history from the owner. 

  • If it is determined that your patient will need blood drawn, perform a quick preliminary physical exam first to establish that your patient is healthy. Then, draw blood and have your assistant bring the sample to the Director's table so that the appropriate diagnostic test can be run.

  • There will be veterinarians available to assist you. At a convenient time, review your patient's signalment, and share your plan with a veterinarian.

  • Perform a thorough and complete physical examination, administer the appropriate vaccinations, and perform other diagnostics as needed. At the end of the appointment, dispense heartworm and flea/tick preventatives.

    • • NOTE: our preventatives supply fluctuates, so we cannot guarantee to clients a particular brand at any given moment. If clients have questions or concerns, please refer them to a director or the supervising veterinarian.

    • Vaccination administration:

      • Rabies - right rear leg SQ

      • Canine Distemper - right front leg SQ

      • Feline Distemper - right front leg SQ

      • Bordetella - oral

  • Additional diagnostics can be found at the Director's table and/or the Clinician's table:

    • A microscope, slides, and cover slips

    • Diff-Quick

    • Nail clippers and silver nitrate

    • Single-dose anti-parasitics for roundworm and other GI parasites

    • Flea combs

    • Towels

    • Other supplies that have been donated to the Southside clinic from generous patrons. Feel free to browse the diagnostics table and offer any services you feel your patient needs but remember, as students, we are NOT able to make a diagnosis.

Appointment Checklist

Determine the needs of the owner/patient:

• • Vaccines

  • Heartworm test

  • FeLV test

  • Deworming

  • Flea control

Physical examination:

• • TPR (only take a temperature if it is indicated)

  • Weight

  • Examination: integument, nails, musculoskeletal, otic, ophthalmic, oral, respiratory, cardiovascular, GI, urogenital

Discuss:

• • Vaccine reactions

  • Spay/Neuter

  • Diet

  • Behavior

  • Home dental care

  • Heartworm and flea/tick preventatives

Did you:

• • Greet the owner and introduce yourself?

  • Obtain a complete patient history?

  • Perform a complete and thorough physical examination?

  • Ask for assistance with problems during the physical examination?

  • Discuss issues pertinent to this specific patient?

  • Ask if the owner has questions, and did you address them adequately?

  • Review the case with a veterinarian?

  • Thank the owner and say goodbye?

How to take a proper patient history

Please be as complete as possible on your history sheets; remember, these are legal medical records! Items included in a thorough patient intake history include:

• • Patient's name

  • Signalment (age, sex, reproductive status, breed)

  • When and where was the animal acquired?

  • Vaccination status

  • Deworming history

  • Heartworm and FIV/FeLV status - has the animal ever been tested, and does the animal's environment place it at any risk for acquiring these diseases?

  • Habitat:

    • Indoor/outdoor cat?

    • Dog who is leash-walked only? Free in the yard? Roams around the neighborhood?

  • Any other pets, and are they healthy?

  • Diet - brand, amount, frequency of feeding, and snacks

  • Travel history

  • Has the owner noticed any changes in the pet's weight, appetite and/or attitude?

  • Medications:

    • Purpose, dosage, and frequency

    • Has the full course been completed?

  • Has the animal had a previous vaccine reaction?

  • Any vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing?

  • Has there been an increase in drinking or urination?

  • Any current problems and/or concerns?

  • Any past medical problems?

  • Always end with an open-ended question! For example, "Is there anything else you would like to discuss about T-Rex today?"