HSIAsia >>

Volunteer Veterinarian
Professionals

Dr. Eric Davis (left) with the Rural Area Veterinary Services in the U.S.

and Dr. Komang (right) with the Bali Street Dog Foundation

 

Dear Veterinarian Professional,

 

When a disaster strikes, the Humane Society International Asia (HSI Asia) sometimes is in need veterinarian professionals to staff field clinics.

  

Needs

1. Veterinarians, Veterinarian Nurses, and Veterinarian Technicians.

2. At least three years working experience.  Field experience desirable.

Logistics (typical)

1. Minimum stay is two weeks.  The longer the better.

2. These are rough field conditions, both for working and living.  They usual operating theater is anything with a roof (open air).

3. Volunteers must pay for their own travel.

4. Food, accommodations and ground travel are paid for.

5. Living conditions are basic. No air conditioning.  Set menu, no choice on food, but can accommodate vegetarians.

6. Hot tropical conditions. 

The Work

1. Vets: Spaying, neutering, treatment for skin diseases, and an occasional triage.

2. Vet Nurses and Vet Techs: Administering anesthetics and other medicines.  Handling post-op recovery.  Assisting surgery. Managing workflow.

3. Vets must be willing to do nursing duties also.

Protocols

1. The protocols have been refined over the years to field operations such as this.  Adherence to the protocols is mandatory.

2. Strict aseptic surgical techniques.

3. We use ketamine (gas not available), spay hook, interrupted suturing and super glue.

4. Average time on table: 10 min for neutering and 15-20 min for spay.  It’s a production line and a lot of hard work. 

5. Some animals are brought by their owners but many others are caught.

6. This is a catch-treat-release (CTR) program.  There is no post op follow-up once they are released.

7. Dogs are caught in nets and Xylazine is immediately administered. 

8. Before surgery dogs are given Ketamine plus Valium if needed. 

9. Animals are not released until they are swallowing and walking.  Upon release, the owners, if there is one, are given post-op and dog care instructions.

10. Medicines used: Ketamine, Xylazine/Rompun Long Acting Penicillin, Ivomec, Atropine, Diazapan (injectable Valuim), Ace promazine (paste), Metacam, Rimadyl,

11. Rabies prevalent.

12. Skin diseases include scabies, demodex, dermatophytoses and flea allergy dermatitis.  These can compound into severe chronic "street dog skin" - i.e. alopecia, hyperpigmentation, lichenification, and even severe ulceration.

13. Most animals are young and most illnesses seen are preventable and uncommon in Western countries.

Other

1. Must be in good health and have rabies and tetanus vaccinations (hepatitis recommended)

2. Your passport must be good for at least six months past your stay.

3. Requires people who are flexible and accept the fact that they will not be doing it the way they do back home.  Must be willing to accept direction.

4. You must be culturally sensitive. You are a guest in their country and must respect their traditions and ways.

5. If you insist on being called “doctor”, this might not be for you.

6. Volunteers are not employees of HSUS or HSI and no health insurance or other benefits are provided.

7. Volunteers travel and work at their own risk and will be required to sign a waiver upon acceptance into the program.

Application

 

Please send us your CV or the following information to Volunteer@HSIAsia.org:

• Contact information

• Age

• Education

• Summary of your experience

• List of certificates held

• Availability dates

Thank you for wanting to help disaster animal victims

 

For a List of the Medicines and supplies that we use, click here