Learn and travel…a new story from Italy with Dr Marin Buchkov from Bulgaria

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Dr Marin Buchov, a veterinarian from Bulgaria has done his internship in clinica Lago Maggiore in Italy! We would like to express our gratitude to Dr Luca Formaggini.Dr. Mariangela De Franco and Dr Luigi Venco for making this posssible,as well to our partnern Blue Sky Commerce and Pamas Trading for supporting Learn and Travel with Vets on The Balkans.

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Dr Marin Buchkov are talking about his advanture:

In a rainy morning, after a long hours of driving I was welcomed by Dr. Amedeo Loss Pelle. He kindly prepared an Italian style coffee and gave me a tour around the clinic – well equipped and designed to be very practical. A clinic that can cover all the aspects of 21st century veterinary medicine – CT, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, Digital X-Ray, Laboratory and modern surgery rooms…

During the next days I met all the vets – Dr. L.Formagini, Dr. M. De Franco, Dr. S. Manfredini, Dr. M. Silvola. Dr. G. Saggin, Dr. V. Galli, Dr. A. Prolo, Dr. C.Ferrari and Alberto. As expected, Dr. Formagini was the most experienced vet, the leader in the clinic. He always explains to the younger vets what, how and when to do the right thing. Amazing vet and skillful surgeon. I like the way he tries to do his job easy and simply, most of all practically.
Dr. Mariangela De Franco is the leading ultrasonographer. We had the chance to examine some patients together and have a discussion about best possible treatment.
Dr. Manfredini and Dr. Silvola – I believe they’re the energy of the clinic – always running from room to room, smiling and ready to help the patients.
Dr. Saggin – its difficult to say if her heart belongs to the veterinary medicine or climbing mountains, but she’s good in both :)
Dr. Loss Pelle, Dr. Prolo, Dr. Galli, Alberto – charming young vets, very easy to work with. Thank you for the tips of ‘real Italian pizza’ and ‘how to cook pasta’ :)
Dr. Ferrari – thank you for helping me with accommodation.

I came all the way from Bulgaria mainly to see how Dr Luigi Venco extracts diroffilarias from CHW dogs. His colleagues from the clinic describe him as ‘genius’ and after a week of waiting to perform this surgery with him I can confirm – he is :) We had three patients from Hungary, all done in one afternoon. Professional job.
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Other impressive thing I saw – Cystoscopic‐Guided Laser Ablation of Ectopic Ureters in a young female dog. Together Dr Formagini and his team performed this procedure in the clinic.

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A lot of other interesting cases, but my favorite patient was Orazzio – english bulldog that had to say goodbye to what makes him ‘a man’ in order to urinate normally. After two cystotomy surgeries in the past (his bladder is so good in creating different types ot urinary stones..), a scrotal uretrostomy was performed. Even this way Orazzio is still charming and lovely :)

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It is for sure useful to see how other vets do their everyday job. One thing (even the most simple one) could be done in many different ways and knowing them is what makes you a good vet. You can say the same for being a good person too… :) Thank you guys for being so kind to me and speaking English all the time I was there. You’re very good team, don’t forget this. Hope to see you soon somewhere around the world. You’re all welcome to Bulgaria!

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Vets on the Balkans is such a good idea! Thank you Luba!learn and travel12814393_1673705086236432_1339900710371625092_n23316272_180060419216123_164154967085808895_n

Ilinca Zarinschi, our tech vet, and Learn and Travel with Vets on The Balkans

38912475_442896726119256_1830507085800931328_nIlinca Zarinschi, a tech vet from Cluj, Romania has done her externship at Clinica Veterinara Lago Maggiore, Italy with Dr Luca Formaggini and his amazing team. She will tell us more about this experience:

 

“How it all started
I had the pleasure to meet Dr. Luba Gancheva for the first time at the Feline Medicine Congress in Bucharest, talking about her amazing project, Vets on the Balkans. I was so impressed I decided to approach her and find out more.
She explained to me that, as veterinary technician, I could improve my knowledge and skills by signing up for her amazing programme and she thought the best option for me might be Clinica Veterinara Lago Maggiore from Dormeletto, Italy.
So, two months later, I was finding myself flying over the Italian Alps not knowing what to expect from this new adventure.

39008939_498327340608678_2724608909053526016_nGetting there
I took off from Cluj-Napoca, Romania on the 1st of August.
After a long flight and many delays, I landed on Malpensa Airport. Alberto, one of the nicest vet techs I’ve ever met, was waiting for me. He drove me to the Clinic and then to the Crazy Pub where Dr. Luca, Dr. Sara, Dr. Marta and Dr. Giulia and Dr. Cecilia were waiting for me, with arms wide open. It was such a lovely evening, I could hardly wait for the next day to start!

38997000_1870135039950117_1318943628642484224_nThe clinic and the team
My first impression was that the clinic is well equipped and highly organized. Everyone was really eager to explain and share their knowledge with me, even though there were certain subjects I was not familiar with (like operating the Radiology and CT units).
I was very impressed with the surgical ward, Dr. Luca being one of those doctors that you can learn a lot from, having both the patience and experience to share from.
One thing that I am very grateful for is that they taught me how to preform and epidural, something I don’t get to do everyday.
We had various discussions about protocols regarding anaesthesia, vaccinations, post-op therapy and I learned a lot of useful information, which I already passed on to my colleagues.

38750936_433439873818272_1938692870990987264_nA little piece of Italian heaven

During the 12 days I was there, I got the chance to experience a bit of the Italian lifestyle, I travelled to Milan and explored the surrounding area. I fell in love with Italian cuisine and warm summer nights spent with the girls, we shared stories and experiences and the most important part, I got the chance of rediscovering myself and what I was capable of.
Saying goodbye
I was really sad I had to leave, it was the best experience I’ve had abroad, I would love to be able to go back one day and I highly recommend it to everyone who is willing to broaden their horizons.
A big special THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to Luba, who encourages and empowers me everyday, to Dr. Luca and his lovely, amazing team, to Giulia – who is also the best room-mate that anyone could want , to Marta, Sara, Mariangela, Cecilia, Anna, Chiara, and Alberto (Nayra and Nina too). And a big thanks to Pamas Trading, for making this happen, of course. 12814393_1673705086236432_1339900710371625092_n
Also, I would love to remind you, guys, again, that we have better cannulas but you have prettier pink alcohol, haha.
My best regards and warmest hugs,

Ilinca, “the hybrid” vet tech

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