Anne McDonald

This summer I had the opportunity to do an externship at the University of Milan, Italy, Large Animal Hospital. I had previously spent several weeks traveling with veterinarians in Italy a couple summers ago. During this time I was fortunate enough to have met Dott. Davide Zani, one of the heads of radiology at the University of Milan. Two years ago they were putting the finishing touches on their radiology department at the brand new large animal hospital. I reconnected with Dott. Zani this last year and arranged to spend one of my senior externships in the radiology department in Milan.

I spent two weeks in Milan, spending most of my time in radiology but also visiting the reproduction, food animal, and equine medicine services. In radiology, we performed radiographs on lameness’s, as well as doing screening radiographs before the animal went to MRI to make sure there was no metal to interfere with the MRI. Up to 4 MRIs were performed each day. Since this was the only MR machine for University of Milan, it was used for both large animals and small animals. I was able to see cases of brain tumors, nerve root tumors, and several equine distal limbs. I also spent a lot of time at the Food Animal department. I was able to help with treatments, and I got the chance to perform an LDA surgery using laprascopic instruments. There were several equine surgeries performed while I was there, including castrations, skin transplants, limb perfusions, and several arthroscopic procedures on equine joints. There was always repro work to watch, as well as the normal treatments of the horses in the barns.

I was even able to help the professors and clinicians with their published works. There were several case reports and research papers that they had written in English and were trying to submit to get published. It was much easier for me to quickly correct their English, and it was a way that I could contribute something to the University.

Since I was staying at the University, I became good friends with the other vet students staying at the hospital. Although it was difficult getting back into speaking Italian, everyone was wonderfully patient with my Italian and did their best to make sure I understood everything that was happening at the University. I had a wonderful time at the University of Milan, and was able to gain an appreciation for the life and culture of being an Italian veterinarian.