Two teams from UPWr on the podium in the final of the National Veterinary Emergency Medicine Competition for Dogs and Cats

The first place was won by the team of Julia Rafalska, Kaja Napiórkowska, Aleksandra Żelazo, and Aleksandra Łapińska. The second place went to the team of Kacper Kowalski, Maja Duszyńska, Kamila Til, and Katarzyna Kawecka. Veterinary students had to tackle three clinical cases: a dog found in a ditch, a cat with a foreign object in its body, and a dog with a herniated disc. Key aspects of the evaluation included correct diagnosis, choosing the appropriate treatment, and effective teamwork.

Julia Rafalska, the leader of the winning team, shared her feelings, noting that this was their second participation in the competition. They finished third in the previous edition, which was a significant achievement for them, but also a motivation to continue working and improving their results. This year, thanks to additional preparation and confidence, they managed to reach the highest step on the podium.

– In the competition we participated in, each team's task was to solve three clinical cases, each evaluated by a different expert from UWM. Information about the cases was limited, which simulated the real conditions of emergency veterinary interventions, such as receiving a three-month-old German Shepherd found in a ditch without additional information. Our duty was to find the missing diagnostic data, starting from stabilizing the patient, which required coordinated teamwork: from supervision, through connecting oxygen, setting up intravenous access, to starting clinical studies on phantoms – Julia explains, emphasizing that practice on phantoms allowed them to exercise communication and diagnostic procedures, e.g., examining mucous membranes, with feedback from the instructor about their condition. – This method prepared us for a realistic approach to clinical cases, which was very valuable to us – she adds.

The participant also admits that among the competition cases, diagnosing the dog found in the ditch was particularly challenging because, as she reveals, the animal was suffering from babesiosis, which required knowledge of the disease's specifics. Fortunately, before the competition, the participants prepared for an exam, so they knew which medication to administer and in what dosage, which was also evaluated in each case.

– The second challenging case was a cat that stopped defecating and was persistently vomiting. We ordered an X-ray and ultrasound. However, there is a difference when you're holding the probe in your hand and when it's just a recording from the ultrasound machine. Fortunately, one of us remembered that the same thing happened to her mischievous cat, leading to the (correct) diagnosis: a cat with a linear foreign object – Julia shares.

The last case involved a dog with a herniated disc, where the diagnosis was relatively obvious, but the treatment required advanced knowledge and skills. Despite the challenges, these experiences brought the participants immense satisfaction and pride in their achievements, teaching them teamwork and preparing them for their future professional careers.

Kacper Kowalski, the leader of the second team, emphasizes the practical nature of the competition. The challenge was not only to respond appropriately in given situations but also to gain experience and knowledge through direct participation in simulated cases.

– The first case was the hardest for us because we didn't fully understand what it was all about and what the judges expected. The next ones went much better and faster, which resulted in second place in the general classification. The whole event took place in a very friendly atmosphere despite the spirit of competition. The organizers were most concerned with us gaining as much knowledge as possible from participating in the competition, which they indeed achieved. We will return next year with even greater ambitions – says Kacper.

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