This month I observed a prosthetic eye surgery. The surgery was not scheduled on my internship date. However, I believe that this would be a very valuable experience since only one clinic in Hong Kong would carry out this kind of operation, I swopped my internship date for it. The surgery was unexpectedly simple.  But precise suturing skill is required. The tension of the sutures must be very precise so that the wound can heal properly without leaving scar tissues on the eyeball or causing infections. Besides,  I also noticed that in Taiwan, some surgical operations could be conducted by non-specialists. You only need to have the equipment and skills. But in Hong Kong,  you need specialist qualifications as well. Owners in Hong Kong prefer giving their pets to specialists to take care of because of the  “brand effect”. In view of this, I think in terms of sharpening my surgical skills and experience, Taiwan would be a better place to stay.

—Ernest Yu

In this semester, I have to study Public Health. In the course, we’ve got a field trip to a frozen meat company. This company sells processed meat products in frozen or refrigerated form and is at the same time equipped with slaughter equipment. The field trip today was about observing the slaughter processes carried out here. After the introduction session, we were divided into groups and started our visit. To minimise the risk of infection or pollution, we needed to dress in protective clothing, wear a mask and rain boots. The visit started from a clean area composed of fewer pathogens, and then the most polluted area. As soon as we entered the slaughterhouse where was a freezer, I could see a number of pigs’ dead bodies (in which organs were absent) being hanged on the top. As we kept going, the sequence of pigs’ dead bodies that were coming was exactly the opposite of that of slaughtering processes, including showering, anal sealing, shaving black and scalding. After that, it was probably the most terrible moment of the day – bloodletting. I saw the living pigs were sent into the electrical machine, then given an electric shock, and immediately followed by bloodletting, preventing the fainted pigs from waking up again. Finally, we left the slaughtering house and we could see so many living pigs out there! What a sharp contrast to the picture inside!

—Linda Lau

This month’s special topic broadened my horizons. This turtle, because of low proteinemia, had abdominal water, loss of appetite and other symptoms. The situation continued after medication. A more detailed examination to find out the cause of hypoproteinemia is necessary. Therefore, the veterinarian arranged a computer tomography scan for him., The turtle did not use anaesthesia, the process was very smooth.

The picture below is a grass-mud horse, came to the hospital really like a star, everyone rushed to take pictures with him.

During the recent volunteer extracurricular activity, I met a very special dog. His personality was very family. He liked walking around people, but as long as he stopped, he will slowly accompany me. When asked to return to his place,  he was unwilling and pulling hard., But as long as I squatted down, he would come over, back and forth. My heart ached his fear of separation. I stop and gave him a good hug to coax him, the intimate child then returned to his place happily.  The one-hour visit gave me a strong feeling that this dog was in great need of a home and good companion.  If you want to keep a dog, I  suggest you participate in the volunteer activities of an adoption centre. Try to get along with them and perhaps you may meet the dog you look for and suit you well. This will be more effective than just choosing among pictures for adoption.

—Yoki Chau