In September 2023 Ben Curnow and Nicky Housby Skeggs travelled to join vets from across the region to deliver Dermatology lectures and wet labs to practicing veterinary surgeons and undergraduates.
The Tartu veterinary school was established in 1848 and can be considered the predecessor of the Estonia University of Life Sciences which this year celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Veterinary Profession in Estonia. The equine hospital; where they receive referrals from across Estonia as well as Latvia, Poland and Iceland. As well as train Estonia’s up and coming veterinarians, has been exceptionally well planned and is run by a truly passionate and capable group of inspiring veterinary surgeons.
The first day consisted of talks on how to approach dermatology cases; taking a full and appropriate history, considering progression of clinical signs, identifying lesions and considering appropriate diagnostic tests. Subsequently specific diseases and their treatments were discussed.
The two days of wet labs followed and included:
- A cadaver practical; taking biopsies, lower limb anatomy and dissection and consideration of appropriate nerve blocks for biopsies.
- Real life cases; taking histories, observing and describing clinical signs and lesions, taking diagnostic samples and discussion of treatment and management.
- Microscopy: Preparing and examining slides
- Case discussion: using real life cases to work through all the information we had delivered earlier in the course
It was a truly fantastic experience, meeting some really inspiring members of our profession and hopefully helping horses across Europe.
The city of Tartu is a beautiful and friendly place, quite rightly celebrated as a capital of culture for 2024.