Fourth-year veterinary student completes her first clinical rotation at Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital.
Makenna Hittson's first clinical rotation is in the books! Hittson is in her fourth and final year at Texas Tech University's School of Veterinary Medicine.
She kicked off her first rotation at Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital in Del
Rio, Texas. While there, she learned the ins and outs of small animal medicine and
surgery from Drs. Clay Whitten, Erin Alexander and Katelyn King.
Although Hittson's passion is more focused towards equine medicine, Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital gave her opportunities to enhance an area of veterinary medicine she felt needed improvement. It may have been challenging and intimidating going into her first-ever rotation feeling out of her comfort zone, but once she arrived, she quickly felt at home and worked alongside the incredible team of veterinarians.
For four weeks, she had an outstanding hands-on experience allowing her to advance her knowledge and skills in small animal medicine. Let's get an inside look into Makenna's first clinical rotation!
What was your first clinical rotation like?
My first clinical rotation was an amazing experience. Coming into this rotation, most
of my clinical experience involved large animals, so I was a little nervous for small
animal medicine. However, the veterinarians, technicians, and everyone in between
at Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital were so unbelievably helpful and willing
to teach me. 
This rotation surpassed my expectations as I feel more confident in both my skill set and knowledge. From all the amazing cases I got to participate in, some of my favorites included assisting in an array of surgical procedures including cystotomies, c-sections, and mass removals and working through different orthopedic injuries such as patellar luxations and cranial cruciate injuries.
How was it working alongside the veterinarians?
I enjoyed working with each veterinarian. I learned so many valuable skills that have
widened my knowledge in small animal medicine. 
Each veterinarian devoted time to help me enhance my skill set, challenge me and strengthen my areas of weakness such as my overall confidence in working through a case from start to finish. I am extremely appreciative for each veterinarian here and can confidently say I gained more mentors in small animal medicine, which I am truly grateful for.
What important skills did you learn while at your first rotation?
I worked on many different cases with each of the veterinarians and technicians. This
provided me multiple opportunities to learn from everyone equally. I was able to practice
an array of skills while on my rotation including catheter placement, elective surgical
procedures and client communication. 
From all the time dedicated to practicing communication skills while in school, I was able to apply the knowledge I learned from the many student-client simulations and confidently gather history, perform a physical exam, then report my findings to the veterinarian.
How has your time at Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital made an impact on you becoming a veterinarian?
I believe my time here has provided me the opportunity to be well rounded in many different skills and in an area of veterinary medicine that once felt like a weakness. I have gained so much more confidence with small animal medicine, as I believe I can now work through an entire case including gathering history, performing a physical exam, deciding what diagnostics need to be ran, then deciding on an appropriate treatment regimen. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first clinical rotation.
What was your favorite part about your first clinical rotation?
Overall, I really enjoyed the small animal experience here. I saw a wide case load that helped improve my skill set and knowledge. I enjoyed being able to observe and participate in an array of cases that extended from general wellness exams all the way to complex internal medicine and surgery cases.
My experience in large animal medicine did overlap during times in my rotation, as many of the disease processes can be similar. However, learning more in depth about common endocrinopathies, allergic reactions and skin disorders in small animal medicine broadened my knowledge.
What would you like to say to the team at Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital?
I would like to express my appreciation for Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital and thank them for taking the time to challenge me and help me build my confidence in small animal medicine. I am truly grateful for this to have been my first clinical rotation and to start off my fourth year here!