Transylvanian Tavi Tries VTC Trusted Techniques

This week we welcomed Dr Octavian Pop from Bistrita in Romania. It was a busy week as the local rescue group trying to conduct as many street dog neuterings as possible before the cold weather starts in Romania.  

Dr Octavian was able to get to grips with a range of sterilisations, from small bitches, to prepubescent females and dogs in heat. He even fitted in a few males. This week we were based at a busy clinic in Craiova so there was also the opportunity to see a few interesting cases in  between all of the surgeries.  

Perfect intradermal sutures by Dr Octavian

Dr Aurelian was pleased with Dr Octavians progress over the week. His enthusiasm and attention to detail lead to a quick development of surgical skills even if in the process his hands became sore from practising knots and sutures. We were also able to add to his anaesthesia knowledge which will hopefully assist him in conducting neutering projects in his home town for stray dogs. 

We would like to thank Romania Animal Rescue (www.romaniaanimalrescue.com) for sponsoring Dr Octavian and look forward to following his progress developing neutering projects in his hometown of Bistrita. Donations towards the safe sterilisation of street dogs and education of the public on the importance of this can be made via the Romania Animal Rescue website.

Our Local Student Shines in First Surgery

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This week we welcome our first Veterinary student to the Camp. Romanian Claudia Dessaux is in her 4th year at Bucharest University. We were delighted to guide her through her first canine ovariohysterectomy. Despite some understandable first time nerves she did very well. Dr Petrisor Stefan is pleased with the progress of our new trainee. She has developed her tissue handling skills in a short space of time and is really putting into practice what she has been taught so far. 

Ovariohysterectomy is a Piece of Cake!

Last week we were joined by Veterinary Surgeon Wenche Mokkelgard from Holmedal in Norway. It was a warm week with temperatures in the mid twenties, around 10 oC higher than in Norway at present. She received an equally warm welcome at the clinic in Bucharest where the course was held.

Our emphasis this week was canine ovariohysterectomy as this is the area Wenche felt she could improve her skills the most. Dr Aurelian Stefan found to his delight Wenche already had a sound basis in surgical skills and set to work developing and expanding her abilities. She got to grips with some new suture techniques that will help her sleep at night as she now can be confident her ligatures and sutures are safe and secure. She mastered the skill of handling stainless steel sutures, which is not easy. This is a strong, non reactive suture that will never fail if your technique is correct.

The week contained some tough surgeries from deep chested dogs to pregnant females but our attendee took it all in her stride and was a seasoned pro by the end of the week, able to remove any uterus put in front of her with skill and efficiency. The deep chested and lactating females were perfect candidates for Wenche to learn a flank approach to ovariohysterectomy in the dog. She learnt when to use this approach and why in some dogs it can be considered preferable to a midline incision.

The easiest incision of the week!

As life is always full of surprises it is important to know what to do with a bleeding patient as this is a serious complication and potentially fatal even if you are aware of the problem as soon as it happens. Most newly qualified (and some more experienced vets) if they are honest fear this situation which is why at the Veterinary Training Camp we prepare you for this emergency so you clearly know what to do if you encounter a haemorrhage in the future. We are confident if Wenche does come across a haemhorrage in her surgical career she will be having a stiff drink afterwards to celebrate a successful outcome not to get over the stress of the life or death situation!

 Overall it was an intensive week but very satisfying to see someone develop their surgical confidence. Wenche worked extremely hard and the results show. Everyone at the clinic found her a delight to work with and we wish her all the best as she pursues her veterinary career.