 The only way we can help the animals we help and have successful clinics is with the participation and support of our volunteers.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Some are veterinarians or veterinary technicians and many are just dedicated “animal people”. All contribute to our cause. This year I asked those coming from the Seattle area to carry supplies to Holbox. Everyone was willing to help. I believe everyone got stopped in customs and had to explain what they were bringing into Mexico. Holbox is an amazingly beautiful island. It is the perfect vacation spot. The clinic days are not vacation days. We generally leave for the ferry by 7 or 8 AM. The buildings have to be transformed into clinics. It is often hot and dirty. The animals are covered in fleas and ticks. Surgery is difficult as animals are in poor condition and lighting is often minimal. We never know how many animals are going to show up or when. We work until all animals are altered. Our volunteers were great. Everyone did an amazing job and was very professional. It became routine to think out of the box. The animals all received the best possible care under the circumstances. Thank you Sherrie, Taylor, Marilyn, Mike, James, Andrea, Laura, Bridgett, Carole, Merilee, Ashley, Moon, Deb, Coley, Ed, Tony, Heraldo, Jessica, Luis, Nelson, Lillian, Morelia, Alejandra, Alejandro, Elia, Roddrigo, and everyone else invovled.
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 Many of the animals that are presented for surgery are in very bad condition. They are malnourished and have an abundance of parasites, external as well as internal. The puppies are often extremely anemic and protein deficient. If these animals were presented for surgery at a clinic in the US they would be treated for these problems before being allowed to undergo the stresses of anesthesia and surgery. Our dilemma here is that there are no other options for these animals. We are here now and only have this one opportunity to spay neuter. If the animals are not altered while we are here they will be contributing to the overpopulation problem. This is one of the harsh realities. I believe we must take the risk and alter every animal we can at our clinics. Last year one dog died post surgery. The dog was an older female that was pregnant. She recovered but died during the night. Her owner was a little boy and he was devastated as was everyone involved. This year we lost two puppies during surgery. Neither animal was a good surgical candidate. Both were small, anemic and parasite ridden. Everyone involved was greatly upset. The owners of these puppies had been explained the risk and accepted the deaths. We altered many puppies that we were very worried about that survived surgery. It is an extremely hard choice to make. The answer is to have more spay neuter available to these communities. If we could arrange for a DVM to be here 3 or 4 times a year these animals could receive treatment for parasites and be better surgical candidates. The animals could be treated for parasites and then be altered in a month. This is of course what I am trying to set up. We have left supplies on Holbox including suture, 30 surgical packs, clippers, scrub, sterile drapes, sterile gloves, syringes and medications so animals can be altered by any visiting veterinarian.  This clinic was held at Morelia's home and animal refugio. The check-in area also provided space for animals to be examined before the entered clinic grounds. Pets brought in just for parasite treatment were kept out of the clinic area. Our prep area was outside under a blue tarp. As the day went on the wind blew and the tarp got lower and lower. We took the tarp down at dusk and continued to work well after dark. Morelia’s kitchen converted to surgery. Her pet raccoon, Vanezzio, watched surgery from a ledge under the ceiling. Vanezzio is the baby raccoon in the pictures from last year. He is now full grown and has been neutered. He is very active and into everything. It is so important to get the local governments involved in this project. Our way through customs could de made much easier with their participation. Koki was very supportive of our efforts and offered help. Our lunch was delivered by the police. On Holbox we had a very long day. We altered 66 animals and treated over 130 for parasites. The reception area was so busy. Dr Tony and his team from Merida performed all of the exams and treated all of the animals for parasites. Animals kept arriving for surgery until 7:30 PM. Knowing this was their only chance to be altered this year we didn’t want to turn any away. Una Mas! San Pedro has a population of about 250 people and we were told there were over 50 dogs that needed altering. Not all animals came and some that did come were just too small to withstand the surgery so they were turned away. 34 animals were altered in San Pedro. The building that was used was full of benches and was a meeting hall of some sort. The volunteers had to move benches outside before they could set up the clinic. Building was spacious and provided lots of room for everyone. Regarding our much used, much abused autoclave: Being able to sterilize the instruments gave a greater feeling of security for our surgeons. many projects use cold sterile methods. We prefer to steam sterilize. The autocalve after this day had major issues. Ed was able to repair it and it continued to work for the rest of the clinics.
 Our clinics have been going very well. So far we have held clinics in Holbox, Kantunilkin, Chiquila, San Pedro and Esperanza. Sunday was to be a day off but there were cats that were trapped so Dr. Nelson, Dr. Lilliana and Dr. Luis Heroldo altered 13 cats. Each site is unique and offers its own challenges. Tomorrow for our last day we will all stay on Holbox and take care of the animals from the island. We have altered 180 animals in our clinics. It is amazing what a community effort these clinic are. I will add a review of each clinic as soon as I can.
We have been working such long hours that it is hard to spend much time trying to write. The autoclave has become a little unhappy so we are having to coax it along. This takes time, energy and patience! Tonight we are trying to trap small black cat that has been around Casa Iguana. I think everyone will be happy to stay on Holbox tomorrow.  The ferry for Holbox leaves from the little village of Chiquila. There are many fisherman and small boats used as private launches to Holbox. The pictures above show our clinic space that was a local school. This building worked great for our clinic. We had three separate rooms so we could keep our admit, surgery and prep areas separate. Recovery was able to share the room with prep. As at all of the clinics the children line the windows to watch the us. They are fascinated by our care of the animals. There were only 20 dogs presented for altering in Chiquila. We had expected many more but after the previous day didn’t mind an easy day. Ed and I are celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary today. And celebrate we did. As my last post mentioned we were up early to start our clinics. We had a great day. In Holbox the clinic was not advertised and the goal was free roaming cats. A few cats were brought to us in traps which we had left on the island. One cat that was trapped didn’t need surgery and was saved the risks of anesthesia because he had an ear tip. That is so great, an ear tip on Holbox! Morelia has trapped, ear tipped and altered cats since our last clinic. Only 17 animals today on Holbox, but clinics are planned on Holbox again on Monday. Kantunikin was a very full long clinic. Sixty three animals were altered to day in Kantunilkin. Mainly we altered female dogs. I believe there were 4 cats and 4 or 5 male dogs. Wow! A long day for our 3 veterinarians. Last dog was off the table at about 8:30 PM. Over 12 hours of surgery were performed and 80 animals altered. Many animals were presented to the clinic just for treatment of mange, fleas and parasites. In addition to the medical treatments animals went home decked out in new collars and leads. The smiles on the faces were ear to ear. As usual we had many children watching us and asking questions. A truly great day.
Tonight our dear friends Alejandro and Elia of the Tarpon Club had the whole group for a very late dinner on the beach. Fresh ceviche, guacamole as appetizers, then fried sea trout, rice, black beans and salad. A true feast, topped off with a delicious cake. Thank you Elia and Alejandro. |
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