Today I witnessed the importance of consults in giving an image of what the animal is suffering from, with skilled veterinary procedures to back up what was initially thought in consults.

An owner brought in a 8 year old cat, who was breathing awkwardly. A closer examination by the vet, listening to the chest, revealed that there was fluid in the cavity between the lungs and the ribcage.
On X-ray it was clear that there was a large amount of fluid in this area, due to the X-ray showing up a cloudy, milky white shade, when we should have, in a normal animal seen the black background where the X-rays had not been absorbed.
The vet carefully shaved away the fur on the cats right hand flank and I sterilised the area. The vet then inserted a catheter and drew the liquid out of the cat.

This showed me that with good diagnostic skills one is able to narrow down the causes of a behaviour and treat it, and this is I feel something that will come with practise.

Unfortunately, the next week the cat came back with the same problem, as a result of there being no way to prevent the build up of fluid without intensive surgery, which the vet did not feel that the cat, under its current condition would be able to cope with. The owner made that hard decision, and decided to put the cat to sleep, in the belief that this was the kindest action to take.
This is an essential part of the veterinary profession. Having the skills to tell a owner the full story, what the effects could be and what you feel is the best decision under the circumstances.
One thing I was told by the vet was "Don't be stubborn and feel that you can save the animal, when you know in your heart that it will not be helping the animals quality of life. There are times when it is best to just let go."
If i do become a vet this is a message that I will carry with me throughout my career. Putting the quality of the animals life first.