VBB Training in Bhutan: an all-round success
Training staff comprised four VBB members, including three from the SARAH Programme in Sikkim, Drs Karma and Phurba and senior vet-aide Bucchu. Funding from valued VBB sponsor, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, enabled the team to travel to Paro in the west of Bhutan to present the course. In the ten days of clinical work following the preliminary seminars, 114 dogs were surgically sterilised and received routine treatment, with only two complications, both managed successfully, and no fatalities. A range of other cases were also presented for treatment.
Bhutanese hospitality is legendary and our hosts certainly lived up to that reputation. Although there were only two non-clinical days, a climb up to Taktsang monastery, impossibly perched on a massive cliff face, and an all-day “khuru” match, which involved hurling 30cm-long, sharply-pointed darts at a 30 x 15cm target about 30 metres distant, ensured that the VBB team had a memorable visit to this fascinating country.
At the closing ceremony, during which VBB certificates were presented to the trainees, the Director of the Department of Livestock stressed to attendees the importance of incorporating VBB policies into their clinical work. Responses to the post-training questionnaire confirmed the value of the course. VBB is committed to the delivery of such programmes to refine the clinical skills of indigenous veterinary personnel, enabling the establishment of sustainable animal-welfare initiatives in Asia and the Pacific.
In response to an invitation from the Bhutanese Department of Livestock, VBB has submitted its draft national stray dog management plan to the Chief Veterinary Officer. Both parties are hopeful that a collaborative nationwide initiative, based on the highly-successful SARAH Programme, will be able to commence in the not-too-distant future.
Ian Douglas Veterinary Director
VBB Vet Volunteers See Spots
An animal in this condition is a poor candidate for surgery, but in Julie’s case there was no option but to try or she would be dead due to toxaemia within 24 hours. Fully gloved and gowned Vets Beyond Borders volunteer veterinarians Dr Kathryn Stoltzfus and Dr Stacey Daley immediately commenced surgery, during the surgery a solitary leopard cub was removed. The female cub had been dead for some time and was already decomposing thus explaining the toxic state of mum. The veterinary doctors quickly finished the surgery and placed intradermal skin sutures so that later on Julie would not try to pull them out. She was allowed to recover from the anaesthetic before being carried back into her cage where blankets and hot water bottles were placed with her as Sikkim is quite chilly in the late afternoon.
Throughout the surgery her mate, 5year old male ‘Tinku’ paced up & down along the mesh fence that separated us from his cage. He was curious about what was happening to his friend. Sadly this year Julie and Tinku will remain a leopard family of two. But thanks to the efforts of Vets Beyond Borders volunteer veterinarians and the SARAH team of Dr Thinlay, Dr Diki, Dr Beth & Dupchen, Julie is still alive. Hopefully next year she will get pregnant again (actually quite a rarity for leopards in captivity) and give birth to healthy offspring.
Beth McGennisken Programme Manager
