I have to skin a CAT!

[Beekissed]

Very costly to keep. They can be obtained cheaply enough when they are donated by teaching universities to lesser community colleges, the only problem is having the equipment and space in which to keep them. The stainless steel tanks are huge, filled with formaldehyde, and smell to high heaven. I don't know if they require a certain level of ventilation/safety precautions in the rooms in which they are kept.

 

[idahodebra]

I remember when I had to do this in A&P. I looked over at my lab partner hoping she would step up and take over. No such luck

I just picked a cat that didn't look a thing like the color of the 3 I had at home. Fortunately, you start "face down", and, quite frankly, they aren't exactly cute and cuddly anymore at that point. It's also good practice for learning to disassociate yourself from some of the more unpleasant to downright tragic things we see and do as nurses. 10 years later I don't even remember actually skinning that cat, but I do remember the bucket of cow eyeballs!

Good luck in A&P!

 

[silkiechicken]

Human cadavers are VERY hard to get. The paper work on a single donated human body is a good half inch stack and all are kept behind locked doors. Thus animal models are used as a first line of study. Many students who think they want to be a vet, doctor, or nurse get out of the field after using an animal model. I've gone though things from a worm to a human cadaver and when you compare anatomy, it is amazing how much we share with other mammals, even mice.

The key is for students to show respect to the specimen they are investigating, be it a mouse or a human. Just because a cat is a "pet" a chicken is "food", and rat's are pests which people set poison out to kill, why should they not be respected the same? If a student is taking the experience for granted, it may not be their subject and that is fine, open up that space for someone who wants the experience.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

While I hate the fact that so many animals have to die in shelters, I would be happy to think they could be used like this if they do. I couldn't KILL a cat but I could dissect a dead one. Same with a person. If they want to dissect me once I die, by all means!!!!

 

[silverfilly]

The class is not just for nursing, its basicly a intro to anatomy not necessarily just human but the organs work the same.

I have to say here that I already do CNA work, blood, poo, urine, vomit, Ive had to deal with it all. and in high school I disected everything from a worm to fetal pig with no problems, its intresting actually. I just got "sticker shock" so to speak. becouse its bigger and its a "pet". That shock is wearing off and I do think it will be interesting.

We will also be disecting a brain, a heart, and an eye. those wount be so hard for me becouse they are just the parts.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
ooh, you are ALL set then if you already do CNA work...you can handle anything that may come your way....

good luck in your schooling!

 

[English Chick]

oh boy! good luck, not something I could do...... no stomach for that kind of thing........

 

[mainchick]

i see euthanized animals weekly. It is in my line of work. (shelter). We would never sell our animals to science at the shelter I work at. I know that other shelters did, but I believe they don't in CA anymore. Something about the laws......(?)
diasecting a euthanized cat would be gross, but KILLING a cat in class to diasect is downright inhumane. the amount of stress and sheer terror that animal goes through before death is cruel. that is NOT humane euthanasia. In euthanasia class you learn that the way you perform the life termination is the way you determine whether is is euthanasia or not. If it is done incorrectly, and without respect for life it is considered killing not euthanasia.
Lucky for you, the cats are already deceased. I don't know if I could do it!!

 

[theOEGBman]

We did a necropsy on two hens and a pheasant recently. I enjoyed it!

 

[Mom 2em All]

Quote:
Im sure that cats are easier to store because of the size differences between cats and dogs.

In the research facility, the dogs were used for other things- such as CHF, and other heart diseases/cures. But, we did get the 'cadaver' dogs for learning procedures such as bone biopsy, and how to give fluids in the bone marrow- and also how to properly place chest tubes. I am very glad that we had that opportunity and no animals were harmed when we students learned how to do that. Can you imagine?

I recently had to put a chest tube in a dog at work- and I had to rely on what I learned in school- nobody else working that day had done one. I am thankful for the opportunity to actually learn how to do so before I was doing it on someone's pet.