VSPCA Clinic

I love how many opportunities we have here to get involved and have new experiences. This past Saturday, November 11, was one of those new experiences for Luke and I. In the morning, we joined a club from school to assist at the VSPCA Clinic. The VSPCA is the Vincentian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

On this particular Saturday, they were hosting a vet clinic where people could bring their animals to be spayed or neutered or just to see the vets in general. When we arrived to help set up, there were already people waiting with their pets. When registration opened, people registered their pets and received a tag with a number. This way the surgeries could be completed in an orderly fashion.

I had been asked to take pictures during the clinic, but I was still able to interact with the animals and help with the surgeries a little bit. Luke was able to assist quite a bit with the surgeries. He wanted to try suturing, but since there were so many animals, the vets just had to quickly suture. He was able to shave some animals before surgery, give injections, and help clean the wound area. It was such a great experience! We worked with two skilled veterinarians, Dr. Audain and Dr. Pype. It was fascinating to watch them perform the surgeries. One dog had a tumor near his mouth. The surgery to remove it took awhile since there were so many blood vessels running through it.

Another dog was having trouble breathing, was very anemic, and had blood running from its nose. They were able to give the dog some medication, but I'm not sure that the dog will make it. It was sad to see the young boy bring his dog in a wheelbarrow and lovingly carry the poor thing.

As always, life here is very different from life in the states. The clinic was held in the open area or parking lot of a bar. Unfortunately, there were a few passed out men lying about that we had to work around or move. We didn't have anything fancy. We set up on folding tables under a tent, and the recovery area was some tarps laid in the shade. The first recovery area we set up, we had to lay the tarps around two men who were passed out.

Luke had just finished placing a dog in the recovery area when two very concerned little boys asked if the dogs were alright. We reassured them that they were just sleeping and would wake up soon. 

We had garbage bags tied to the tent for the garbage and sharps were put in a plastic container. People waited patiently with their pets for hours. Most of the pets didn't have nice collars and leashes. For the animals getting spayed, the incision was made on their side in case they had puppies or kittens still nursing at home. The vets, however, were very skilled, and it was amazing to see them work.
We had a wonderful experience volunteering with the VSPCA, and we are looking forward to the next time we can go!

This sweet little puppy was a rescue.

The lady who rescued him found him in a ditch wrapped in wire. You can see the mark from the wire just above his collar. 

These sweet puppies were up for adoption.

This little kitty was so scared hearing the vans and the dogs barking. We moved the cage to a shaded spot out of view of the dogs, and the kitty calmed down. 

Luke, assisting another student in prepping the dog for surgery.

Luke is giving his first injections! 

Dr. Audain performing this dog Rosie's surgery. She was such a cute dog. Her body looked much too fat and long for her short little legs. Her owner said that maybe she had too much chicken. 

Here is a better view of the dog getting his tumor removed. Dr. Pype had Dr. Audain assist him with the suturing.

Luke cleaned up this little puppy who had some sandfly bites. The puppy was so tiny!

When Luke laid down this unconscious cat for surgery, his legs were all straight out! Later during the surgery, his front paws were together like he was praying.

Luke got pretty good at giving injections.

Some children were able to take these little puppies into the grass to play. 

This little fluffball was so cute!

This poor dog really fought the sedation and even woke up during surgery. It took a few of us to keep him calm.

This little puppy had a wound on his leg. He was such a sweetheart.

If you look closely, this dog shed an unconscious tear during surgery. Also, the vets pull the tongues out of the mouths for safety reasons, but it does look hilarious.

This was how the sedated animals were carried to the recovery area. 

What a sweet puppy!

This puppy's name is Jane. Her brother is Tarzan. I held her since she was next in line for surgery. You can see the chain makeshift leash that many people use here.

I helped with the prep for Jane's surgery.

I held her while Dr. Audain shaved an area on her leg and gave her the injection to sedate her. 

Jane was so sweet. She barely even flinched when she got her injection.

This little boy's name was Luke. He watched his dog's surgery and took a video of it. He looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him if he was going to show his dog the video.

Here's one more cute dog! Thanks for reading!