Vets Travel to
Spay and Neuter Dogs
Colorado State
University students recently donated their
time and services to spay and neuter more
than 240 dogs and cats during a five-day
clinic that took place in San Isidro, Costa
Rica. Many of the animals received rabies
vaccinations, which were donated by the
Costa Rican government.
The animals were also dewormed and given a
general health check.
The students were joined by a CSU veterinary
anesthesiologist and partner veterinarians
from Kansas, Colorado and New York. They
worked in a school gymnasium using baby
cribs and school desks as surgery tables and
soccer goalie boxes as IV carts.
Pet owners began lining up outside of the
clinic at 4 a.m., according to CSU. Because
of the strong response, more than 250
animals were turned away due to limited
supplies and time.
“The experience for the students was
tremendous,” said Pedro Boscan, DVM, Ph.D.,
a CSU veterinary anesthesiologist who
organized the trip with the nonprofit group
VIDAS (International Veterinarians Dedicated
to Animal Health).
“They had the opportunity to perfect their
full health check protocol, surgery and
recovery skills," Dr. Boscan said. "All of
the students had the opportunity to
participate in at least five operations
each. We’re very grateful to the community
for their donations of items and money to
make this trip possible. It truly impacted
the health of animals and communities.”
Dr. Boscan said that they hope to go back
again next year.
The trip was funded through donations from
the Fort Collins area and from the Costa
Rican government.
In related news, Jennifer Brown, DVM, Dipl.
ACVS, a clinical assistant professor of
surgery at Virginia Tech’s Marion DuPont
Scott Equine Medical Center, recently
traveled to Requena, Peru, to help neuter
and spay almost 200 dogs and cats.
Veterinarians do not reside in this
particular area, according to the vet
school.
Dr. Brown joined seven other volunteers
involved with Veterinary Ventures, an
organization that schedules and arranges
spay-neuter campaigns in developing
countries.
They established a “clinic” in a school
classroom since school was not in session
for the summer. The volunteer group took all
of its own medical supplies, including a gas
anesthesia unit.
Brown became involved with Veterinary
Ventures after Hurricane Katrina.
“This is my opportunity to give back,” she
said. “It gives me a good feeling to use my
vacation to contribute something, to make a
difference.” |
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