Samantha Pulgini
Small Animal and Exotic Clinical Experience in Burgundy, France
This past summer, I had the privilege of travelling to Burgundy, France to complete a 2-week externship at the Clinique Vétérinaire des Ducs de Bourgogne—one of the region’s largest small animal and exotic referral hospitals. The clinic boasts a team of nearly 25 clinicians with advanced training in various veterinary specialties, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology, radiology, dentistry, behavior, rehabilitation, and exotic animal medicine. The clinic is also home to a team of generalists who focus on providing preventative care to patients, complementing the hospital’s many specialty services. Fueled by the ambition to offer continuous, comprehensive care to patients, the multidisciplinary team at Clinique Vétérinaire des Ducs de Bourgogne works together to address the needs of companion animals in the region 24 hours a day.
During my externship, I was adopted as part of the clinic team and had the opportunity to work alongside individuals from all services in the hospital. Each morning, I assisted with inpatient treatments and physical examinations, and also attended daily rounds. Additionally, I routinely helped to perform blood and urine analyses, cytology, and imaging studies, which allowed me to practice my clinical skills and broaden my understanding of diagnostic test strengths and limitations. Through participating in the workup of cases and discussing differential diagnoses with clinicians, I was able to apply skills in clinical reasoning and expand my knowledge of numerous small and exotic animal diseases. With the guidance of my mentors, I also had the opportunity to independently perform several procedures, including esophagostomy tube placement, point of care abdominal and thoracic ultrasound, cystocentesis, thoracocentesis, mass removal, and indwelling urinary catheter placement on a female cat. When time allowed, I also participated in afternoon topic rounds, which take place several days each week as a part of the hospital’s internship program for new graduates. Each day of my externship brought with it a new and exciting learning opportunity, all of which was made possible by the kind and encouraging team of veterinarians the hospital has to offer.
While away from the hospital, I spent my time exploring all that the Burgundy region of France has to offer. The clinic is situated just outside of Dijon in the small village of Chenôve—an area of France which is known for its impressive architecture, culinary specialties, rolling vineyards, and some of the world’s most famous wines! During my trip, I also had the opportunity to spend an additional 2 weeks travelling around the country, making my way north for a stop in Paris and heading south to explore the breathtaking French alps.
Beyond expanding my knowledge on small and exotic animal medicine, my experience in France this past summer granted me with the unique opportunity to experience living and working in a culture other than my own, and to witness the ways in which these cultural differences influence the practice of veterinary medicine. Furthermore, this externship challenged me to step out of comfort zone, improve my French language skills, and work alongside knowledgeable clinicians, all of which has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better senior externship experience, and I look forward to the opportunity to incorporate further global experiences into my future career as a veterinarian!
