A World Vets team along with our great Nicaraguan veterinary crew have provided free equine health clinics in and around Granada. They vaccinated, de-wormed as well treated for external parasites, and cured wounds. They also floated teeth and fitted shoes for the city’s horses. A total of 465 horses were treated on this latest campaign.
We would like to thank Fondation Brigitte Bardot for their continual support of our equine welfare program.
While the majority of volunteer opportunities offered through our organization are for a short duration, we do on occasion have those which can last up to 3 – 6 weeks if not longer. This summer we have two volunteer opportunities that have the potential to be a long term volunteer placement for veterinarians and/or licensed veterinary technicians.
The first is a volunteer instructor position at our surgical training center in Granada, Nicaragua. Volunteer instructors will work in collaboration with World Vets staff and interns which includes US and Nicaraguan veterinarians and technicians. They will provide training and/or instruction to students in a clinical environment. Volunteer instructor positions are open to licensed veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians. Openings run from June through August. Read more…
The second is a position on our team for the New Horizons Peru 2012 exercise. Volunteers will work alongside and in collaboration with a veterinary team from the US military, a Peruvian veterinary school as well as the local ministry of agriculture. Volunteers can expect to be involved in veterinary activities relating to both small and large animals. Volunteer positions are open to veterinarians and veterinary technicians. From June 30 – July 14. Read more…
If you want to stay in the loop about upcoming volunteer opportunities with our organization, consider becoming a member of World Vets! Become a Member
Next month World Vets will send a team to work in a rural community outside of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Up until this point, our veterinary services have mainly been focused in and around the beach town to help control the small animal population. However, with this visit, we wish to extend our reach to the animals, both small and large, that have often been neglected due to their isolated condition.
In the community where our team will be working, running water and electricity are not present even despite the rapid growth and devel
opment of the town closest to them. Nevertheless, due to the vigilance of community leaders and special interest groups, plans have now been approved to give them electricity, hopefully sometime soon.
World Vets first visited this community last year to provide impromptu veterinary services – they expected a few cows, maybe a couple of horses and some pigs – however the turn out was extremely great. Herds of cattle came down from the hillside, even oxen carts ap
peared as well as a backyard full of pigs! Given the abundance of animals, including campesino dogs with many visible health concerns, we gave our word that we would be back.
And so, World Vets will be dedicating its follow up visit to all the animals of this community as well as those within its vicinity. For those who don’t mind getting dirty, we still have volunteer positions open for veterinarians – both small and large animal vets are encouraged and welcome to sign up and take part! Read more about the volunteer opportunity here
The World Vets team examines Lassi's tumor
One of our recent teams in Nicaragua met a sweet dog named Lassi.She was brought to us by her concerned owner, Anna, who was praying for a miracle. Not too long ago Lassi developed a collection of small tumors that soon turned into one very large mass that hung from her abdomen. The tumor grew to be so big that it almost touched the ground, making it difficult for her to walk and move around.
Before bringing Lassi to us, Anna had consulted many local veterinarians for help. They all advised her that Lassi should be put to sleep. Unwilling to accept this diagnosis, it now became Anna’s mission to find another solution, that would lessen Lassi’s suffering, without ending her life.
World Vets surgeons prepare to begin the operation
Our team was able to fulfill such a noble cause and got straight to work. The operation took place at our surgical training center, where our team of surgeons were equipped with modern technology such as gas anesthesia, pulse oximeters, central oxygen and fluid pumps. All such equipment allowed for optimal monitoring and safe anesthesia during the one hour operation. Following surgery, Lassi was kept overnight to monitor her recovery and for proper pain management.
The next morning, it was a miracle. Lassi was able to stand up and walk, tumor free and healing well. The operation was a success. Anna was overjoyed and exclaimed “Thanks to God and to World Vets, I still have my pretty dog. Now I am happy.”
Lassi one day after surgery; fully recovered, healing well and ready to go home
Anna and Lassi’s story is but one of many whose lives have been touched and positively impacted by a World Vets team. We are able to make such miracles happen with the support of our dedicated volunteers and donors.
Help us make more miracles – consider volunteering or donating today!
We saw so many patients during our four clinic days in Granada, but one very special little patient stood out among them. At the start of our first day, a very kind man named Oscar brought in a little blonde and white puppy that was clearly not doing very well. With his whole body shaking, very pale gums, dehydration, and major GI upset, this puppy was in for a rough road ahead. On top of being very ill, the pup was a street dog without a home. We affectionately named him Chancho, Spanish for pig, as he had a very big, round belly due to parasites.
Chancho stayed in our clinic on IV fluids, meds, and lots of TLC from the amazing World Vets team. He quickly won over their hearts. World Vets volunteer Dr. Robert Trevino worked tirelessly trying to create a treatment plan strong enough to support Chancho and bring him back to health. Within 48 hours a little pup that came in lethargic and non-responsive bounced back! Checking in on him, we 
found a puppy rolling on his back kicking his feet in the air or dancing at the front of his cage with a tail that never stopped wagging. This puppy was clearly a fighter and would not let his rough start at life defeat him.
Now the question became what would be the future of Chancho as he was still without a home. Such a special guy definitely deserved a great future. The veterinary student on the trip, Tori Hall, finally broke down and went through the steps needed to bring Chancho back to the US. From there on, Chancho became the unofficial mascot of this World Vets trip, with his playful puppy attitude and his immediate love for anyone he meets. Seemingly forgetting anything that happened to him before he came to his World Vets team, Chancho quickly adjusted to his new life of constant love and playing. While he will soon travel to Mississippi with Tori, he is starting to look for a very special forever home where he can get all the love and attention that the little guy deserves.
For the last four years World Vets has been working with and training Nicaraguan veterinarians and veterinary students. We are very proud of the skill level this group has achieved through their strong dedication to learning.This week, the NicaVets group held a successful spay day event at the World Vets Latin America Training Center. In two days, 180 dogs and cats were spayed/neuter by this all-Nicaraguan crew. Way to go team! The Fondation Brigitte Bardot is a sponsor of the Latin America Veterinary Training Center which provides training to Latin American veterinarians.
