By Alice Collins / Jump Media
Originally from Corrientes in the north of Argentina, Lujan Montiel completed her veterinary degree in her home country in 2016, then specialized in treating polo ponies before joining the intern program at Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC).
What is your background with horses?
Over the past eight years, I have worked primarily with polo horses, focusing on their care and management in a field setting — a very different scenario from Wellington and of course from a hospital environment.
When and why did you decide you wanted to become an intern at Palm Beach Equine Clinic?
Since 2023 I have been in contact with PBEC, exploring the possibility of joining the 2024-2025 internship program. My interest in this internship stems from a desire to broaden my expertise and gain a comprehensive view of equine medicine. I aim to specialize further by integrating the intensive care practices performed at the clinic, in addition to learning from the high-level professionals and advanced technology that the hospital offers for both hospitalized and outpatients.
What does the internship program involve?
The program involves rotations through all areas of equine veterinary medicine, including internal medicine, surgery, anesthesia, sport medicine, ophthalmology, and dentistry. The structured rotations, changing every two weeks, provide a unique opportunity to develop skills across multiple disciplines.
What does a typical day look like for you at PBEC?
A typical day at PBEC begins with checking all my patients, performing physical exams, and updating their medical notes. At 8:30 a.m., we have rounds where we discuss cases with the doctors. Occasionally, we have scheduled surgeries, which always start at 9 a.m. Depending on the day and the rotation I’m in, I could be working in surgery, anesthesia, in the hospital, or ambulatory work with one of the clinicians. Therefore, each day can be quite variable and diverse, offering a broad range of experiences.
What aspects of equine medicine interest you most, and what types of cases do you find most rewarding?
The area of veterinary medicine that most interests me is internal medicine. Since my arrival in late June, I have had the privilege of treating a wide variety of cases, including laminitis, colic, neurological patients, diarrheas, and endotoxemia cases, among others.
What is one of the most interesting cases you have worked on?
The cases that I’ve found most interesting and educational have been colic cases due to their variety and the protocol-based management that the clinic employs. There were a series of four colic cases (one next to the other), and all of them were resolved surgically. All of these cases involved a very rare condition called mesocecum entrapment, which prompted significant research into this topic at the clinic.
What’s your favorite part of the job/the biggest thing you have learned?
What I enjoy most about working at PBEC is the willingness of the clinicians to share their expertise in various fields, whether it’s sports medicine, surgery, anesthesia, or internal medicine. Their dedication to teaching ensures that the internship is as rewarding and beneficial as possible, allowing us to truly make the most out of this intensive year of work. Additionally, I have been fortunate to work with a group of interns who have excellent values of camaraderie, making everything lighter and easier when things get busy at the clinic.
When not at PBEC, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
During my days off, I try to explore the surrounding areas of Wellington, including the beach, as it’s a new country for me, and I love taking the opportunity to enjoy the coastline.
To learn more about the full range of services on offer at Palm Beach Equine Clinic, call 561-793-1599 or visit www.EquineClinic.com.