Cat+Dissection

=Cat Dissection=

[|Cat Pictures] May 22-30, 2008 by Eric C, Wes H, and Kyle F

**Reflection **
Again, let me just reiterate how much I do not like dissecting animals. I do not like cutting open dead animal flesh and especially despise the horrible formaldehyde smell. However, I do respect the academic quality of dissecting animals. It brings what we have learned in books to life—in animal’s death. Really dissecting is not the problem…I just feel bad for the animals.

Here are some photos from the dissection:





I will never forget the inevitable cat dissection, anticipated and a cause of anxiety to many. Throughout the whole process, the smell was the worst part. Once I got past the smell, it was interesting to see what the insides of bodies really look like, rather than a picture in a book. I will not forget the location of some parts of the cat because my group actually had to find it hiding among a forest of tissues and fascia. I was not even aware of the existence of fascia. After doing the dissection I saw how thick and tough it is to remove. I think the cat dissection was a valuable learning experience especially useful to those who wish to enter the medical field. The cat is a baby step for hopeful med students to human bodies and next possibly a cure for cancer (well you know what I mean).

During the cat dissection, the class did not have to complete any worksheets. Instead, we took pictures of certain organs, muscles, and arteries of the cat. I liked taking pictures much better than having to do a worksheet. It allowed me to focus more on the dissection and learn more than having to worry about filling out pointless questions. The pictures meanwhile kept everyone on the right track without being too bothersome.

All in all the cat dissection was enlightening and I saw some interesting things—some that I did not necessarily want to see. Nevertheless, I learned more about the structure of bodies and what it looks like and isn’t the purpose of dissections to teach? Mission accomplished. There is one thing I would change next time though. I would not have my left arm in a sling so that I could actually get the full experience of cutting the cat, then I might not be so inclined to value this dissection (except the smell…the smell was awful!).