HSI Asia // Field Spay/Neuter Techniques Veterinary Training Workshops

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Week 1

(23-28 August 2004)

Dr. Lim

Doctor Lim, Senior Veterinarian from the SPCA Selangor, Malaysia, was the first vet to join Yudisthira Bali Street Dog Foundation for an intensive one week training in the operations of their MASH type Field Clinic for stray dogs. .The training includes field surgery techniques, protocols and operations in Yudisthira's dog Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) field program. “When I first came I was a bit skeptical about the whole process, but now I see how it works”, says Lim.

At first, 17 year veteran Dr. Lim found the first day in the field clinic overwhelming. It was an environment that put her outside her comfort zone having previously worked only in clinical venues. “I am not use to doing surgery with an audience”, says Dr. Lim of the open air surgery theatre where many villagers gather around to watch skilled surgeons spay and neuter and lightening speed.

By the second day Dr. Lim knew what to expect and Yudisthira Lead Training Vet Dr Dayu Martini began drawing the medicines and Dr. Lim was in the MASH Theater castrating the first dog of the day. Dr. Lim was now indoctrinated as one of the surgery team and spent the majority of the day performing field surgeries alongside Yudisthira vets only leaving the theatre briefly to scrub-up between surgeries whilst her next patient was being prepped.

“Dr. Lim is a skilled surgeon so I didn’t need to teach her surgery, so we focused on the details of Yudisthira surgery protocols for field spay and neuters”, says Dr. Dayu. Dayu Explained the use of particular suture materials and techniques, early age neutering and aseptic field protocols. Dayu added, "One thing I did introduce to Dr. Lim was the use of needle drivers for faster and easier subcutaneous closing”. Dr. Lim adds, 'And one other thing is that super glue! I can see the advantage for reducing the infection by closing and protecting the incision."

Dr. Lim also saw the importance of identifying the dogs who are spayed or neutered with a permanent tattoo, and will suggest that the SPCA use this procedure until micro-chipping is implemented within Malaysia. Dr Lim is also suggesting that the SPCA should apply for donations from local hospitals for better quality suture materials which are more suitable for stray dog surgeries as vycril and dexon have proven successful for Yudisthira.

When asked if she sees a future for this type of field work in Kuala Lampur, Dr. Lim is very thoughtful in her reply and considers some modifications that there are needed for this type of work on islands like Langkawi or Tioman. However, she is very aware of the cultural differences which allow this to work in Bali. “The direct cruelty in Malaysia does not promote dogs living in communities without a direct owner, whereas community dogs in Bali have been accepted as part of the culture as long as there has been a culture.”

Dr. Lim agrees that the skills learned from Yudisthira can help control the dog over population problem. She says, "To this end TNR might not be the most ideal, but there are some definite applications that could be adopted in the daily protocols faced at the SPCA and Malaysia’s stray dog problem."

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Dr. Lim's Comments From Her Diary

Dr. Lim, SPCA and Dr. Dayu, Yudisthira Bali Street Dog Foundation

The main reason for my wanting to come to Bali was curiosity about this glue that could magically close surgical wounds. I was also rather surprised that it would require a whole week to learn the technique. So I came with a mind to learn – through observation mostly…or so I thought. The ‘Field Team’ is very well organized. I felt I was mostly getting in the way. The tent was rapidly set up in the ‘banjar’ (community hall of the kampong [village] along with all the equipment, instruments, medications, drapes etc. put in place. Treatment was confined to Ivomec injections for mange, de-worming, vitamin and antibiotics. Some dogs for surgery were caught and some were brought in by either their owners or members of the community. The guys doing the catching were really adept and the net were a great idea. Lita was superb at keeping the children busy, happy and learning the basics of ‘responsible pet ownership' RPO .

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were tough going because it was very hands-on learning and having to bear with curious onlookers and a very enthusiastic camera-woman in the person of Sherry Grant (co-founder of Yudisthira). However the young team was so absolutely kind and accommodating. Yours truly survived and even got to enjoying the new experience. (Dr. Lim scrubbing for surgery, below)

On a more sober note, I think the main objective of the training is to convince us that this is an approach to reduce the stray dog population and improve the welfare of the dogs in Bali, and to show us that it really does work – with sufficient funding, of course. By doing so, we are encouraged to begin some like programme, with some adaptations, in our home country. We could perhaps start with an island in Malaysia with a growing stray cat population. It is a necessity really if we are to

safeguard our tourism industry.

Some differences between Bali and Kuala Lampur:

There is no dog catching by the town councils in Bali so neuter and release is feasible.
Disease burden in Bali is probably lighter.
Bali is drier and wounds less subjected to dampness, flies etc.
The human population in Bali is more accommodating towards the dogs.
Young vets in Bali are more than eager to work for the Foundation.