Posts by: dvm

Seal Pup Season has Arrived in Washington

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Seal pup being examined and monitored at the World Vets clinic in Gig Harbor, WA

 

While we have been busy with many marine mammal stranding cases in Washington over the last few months, this little pup is our first harbor seal of the 2019 pupping season. Estimated to be 1-2 weeks old, the seal pup was found stranded on a public beach in Westport Washington.  Network partners Washington State Parks and Westport Aquarium secured the area to make sure he was not disturbed, posted signs and provided monitoring for 48 hours while he was on the beach.  His mom never returned and he was considered abandoned.  Working in collaboration with our network partners Cascadia Research Collective and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, he was brought in late Thursday night to the World Vets clinic in Gig Harbor for triage and stabilization. On arrival he was hypothermic, dehydrated and thin.  Working together with WDFW, we stabilized him and started fluid therapy and he was admitted for overnight hospitalization.  He was later transferred to PAWS for rehabilitation with the ultimate goal that he will be released back into the wild once he is healthy and ready to forage on his own.

As pupping season starts in Washington, it is important to remember to SHARE THE SHORE!  

-All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  It is against the law to feed or harass them, which includes disrupting important behaviors such as rest, feeding, nursing or breeding.

-Give them space and stay back 100 yards from all marine mammals on shore.

-Keep pets on leash.  Pets can disturb wildlife or may separate mothers from their pups.  These are wild animals that can injure or spread disease to pets and humans.

-If you see a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal call:  866-767-6114

 

World Vets Receives Recognition from Mayor in Ecuador

World Vets Receives Recognition from Mayor in Ecuador

 

Earlier this week, World Vets along with our longtime partner BAI, was recognized by the Mayor of district Antonio Ante in Ecuador for over a decade of service to the region.  World Vets has been working in this region high in the Andes Mountain for going on eleven years, bringing veterinary services to thousands of animals that would otherwise have no access to care.  Throughout this time, we have partnered with local group Bienstar Animal Imbabura and together have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the local animals, people and the communities in which they live.  Throughout the world, World Vets has many partnerships like this one working in collaboration with government municipalities and local animal welfare organizations to provide veterinary support to animals in need in underserved areas.

Below are some photos of our ongoing work in Ecuador:

 

Investigating Gray Whale Deaths in Washington

Investigating Gray Whale Deaths in Washington

Nineteen Gray whales have washed ashore in Washington over the last several weeks and more than 55 have stranded on the West Coast this year.  World Vets has been involved in the disease investigation and necropsies working with lead scientists from Cascadia Research Collective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as other members of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.  The strandings already seen this year are the most of any year since the year 2000 and its still early in the whale migration season.  Most of the whales have shown signs of nutritional stress and poor body condition, although its still too early to fully understand the exact cause of the high death numbers.  Additional testing and evaluation of collected samples are pending and should provide more insight into these deaths.

Related Media Coverage:

Why are gray whales washing up dead on Pacific Northwest beaches– KUOW News

Cascadia and other Washington stranding network organizations continue to respond to growing number of dead whales along our coast and inside waters-Cascadia Research Collective

BREAKING NEWS-Nepal Earthquake

BREAKING NEWS-Nepal Earthquake

UPDATE:  Our disaster response veterinary team has been activated and is deploying to Nepal.   Our first responder vets will be there for at least three weeks, with additional support to follow as needed. (April 27, 2015)

ALL UPDATES FROM THE FIELD ARE POSTED HERE

In the wake of the massive earthquake that hit Nepal earlier today, our rescue team is on standby and will be ready to deploy if local rescue groups or authorities need our help.   The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit near Kathmandu on Saturday causing massive destruction and casualties.  It had been predicted that a huge earthquake would hit the region sometime in the coming years and because of that, World Vets and a local animal welfare group in Nepal had already been collaborating to prepare for such an event.

In addition to our ongoing veterinary aid programs around the world, World Vets provides disaster relief support and rescue teams for major international disasters where animals are impacted or public safety and health is impacted by animal related situations.  World Vets has previously responded to disasters such as the Haiti Earthquake, Thailand Floods, Japan Tsunami, Philippines Typhoon, Bosnia Flooding etc.  Our support includes such things as direct veterinary care and on the ground rescues, reuniting pets with owners, addressing public health and zoonotic disease issues and coordinating supply donations.

We are continuing to assess the situation and our teams will be ready to deploy if Nepal animal welfare groups seek our assistance. Donations are urgently needed to support the rescue efforts.

The development and gear for our disaster response rescue program was graciously funded by the Fondation Brigitte Bardot of Paris, France.   We depend on the support of the public, foundations and individual donors to support each deployment and ongoing rescue efforts.  Please consider making a donation to our international disaster response program that helps animals in these situations.  DONATE HERE

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World Vets Bosnia-Herzegovina Flood Response

Photo May 30, 5 03 01 AMThis past month we reported on the massive flooding that devastated the small European country of Bosnia-Herzegovina, among its neighbors Croatia and Serbia. This flood crisis has left millions of animals and people in a dire situation and in desperate need for help. Thousands of animals died from the immediate impact of the floods, however many more livestock and companion animals were left requiring urgent assistance.

To provide support for animals that had been impacted, World 1799967_10204182702597735_3699238074989041961_oVets deployed to the region. Our disaster response personnel worked in collaboration with the faculty of veterinary medicine at the University of Sarajevo and government officials to identify needs and get help where it is needed. Together we conducted country-wide assessments that identified animal concerns as well as supplies and equipment needed to help them.  Bosnia-Herzegovina has many very capable veterinarians but many of the  local veterinary clinics had been inundated with water and their medicines and supplies were destroyed giving an urgent need for relief supplies.  Many family run farms lost their entire stock and animals that had survived moved to higher grounds. Surviving animals were Photo May 30, 6 39 56 AMsuffering from a variety of conditions including pneumonia, infections and skin problems resulting from displacement, lack of available provisions and overall wet conditions.

Based on the regional needs that were identified, we sent a shipment of veterinary supplies and equipment valued at over $10,000 USD to aid in the relief efforts as they relate to animals.  These include herd health and public health issues, zoonotic disease prevention as well as direct animal care.

Animals are often not the primary focus during massive disasters and World Vets is committed to bridging this gap and helping them during their greatest time of need. If you wish to aid our disaster response efforts, please donate.

See pictures

 

World Vets Wins Prestigious Honor at Largest Social Impact Awards in the Country

United Nations Foundation and Classy Awards Honor World Vets

FARGO, North Dakota, May 8, 2014 -The CLASSY Awards, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, announced eight Winners live on stage this past weekend at the 5th Annual CLASSY Awards Ceremony. More than 3,600 programs worldwide were evaluated during a yearlong research process. The Winners were selected by the Leadership Council, a prestigious board of 100+ leaders and experts in the social sector.

The Ceremony featured co-hosts Elizabeth Gore, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the United Nations Foundation and Kenna, Founder of Summit on the Summit and Grammy-Nominated Musician, along with 12 influential speakers.

“All of the organizations participating in the CLASSY Awards are big thinkers and bold leaders,” said Elizabeth Gore, this year’s co-host of the CLASSY Awards and Entrepreneur–in-Residence at the United Nations Foundation. “The winners recognized on stage are implementing creative new solutions, taking risks and leveraging best practices to guide their strategies. The United Nations Foundation recognizes their leadership and we are proud to support their efforts in driving significant social progress moving forward.”

“We are very honored to win this prestigious award,” said Dr. Cathy King, CEO and Founder of World Vets. “Being recognized for the work that we do to help animals and improve veterinary care in resource poor areas of the world is a great validation for the nearly 4000 dedicated veterinary professionals who volunteer with our organization and for those who have believed in and supported us over the years.”

This year’s CLASSY Awards Winners:

  • Active Duty & Veterans Services: The Mission Continues
  • Animal & Wildlife Welfare: World Vets
  • Disaster Relief & Public Safety International Medical Corps
  • Educational Advancement: Project Lead the Way
  • Environmental Protection: Climate Action Reserve
  • Health Services: Jhpiego
  • Human Rights & Social Justice: Immigration Equality
  • Poverty & Hunger Relief: Action Against Hunger

Founded in 2006, World Vets has become one of the largest veterinary aid organizations in the world, providing veterinary aid and training in developing countries and animal disaster relief services worldwide. World Vets has programs in 39 countries on 6 continents that provide aid for companion animals, livestock, horses and street dogs. World Vets is also the veterinary NGO that deploys with the US Military on hospital ship-based humanitarian aid missions to Latin America and the Asia Pacific Region. For more information please visit: https://worldvets.org

“Our global social landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and bold solutions are needed to address new and existing challenges,” said Pat Walsh, Co-Founder of the CLASSY Awards. “The winners awarded with a CLASSY this year are driving significant progress in the 8 major cause sectors, and their work deserves recognition. We are honored to be able to shine a spotlight on their successes.”

World Vets announces partnership with Dr Jessica Vogelsang

World Vets teams up with author and veterinarian Jessica Vogelsang to spread the word about groundbreaking international animal aid work

Well known writer and web vet Dr. Vogelsang joins forces with international veterinary aid organization World Vets as Media Spokesperson

 Fargo, ND (August 30, 2012) – World Vets is pleased to announce that veterinarian Jessica Vogelsang will be joining the organization as media spokesperson. Dr. Vogelsang will serve as the contact person for media regarding World Vets’ international veterinary aid work, disaster response, and their mission to support the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems worldwide.

Dr. Vogelsang joins World Vets with ten years’ experience as a veterinarian, and four years of authorship and social media expertise, most recently as director of Pawcurious Media. She also has extensive experience as an international veterinary volunteer on three continents.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to spread awareness about the amazing work World Vets is doing on six continents,” says Dr. Vogelsang. “I saw it firsthand in Tanzania and Nicaragua. The stories that veterinarians and students come back with reinforce to me what a caring and committed group veterinarians are, and how vital our work is to global health. The more people know about the work we are doing, the more services we will be able to offer to people worldwide.”

“We are very excited to have Dr. Vogelsang representing World Vets” says World Vets CEO and founder Dr. Cathy King. “She cares deeply about our mission and we are thrilled to have her as not only our spokesperson but as an advocate for animals around the world.”

Media Contact:  media@worldvets.org

About World Vets: World Vets is a non-government organization providing veterinary aid, veterinary training and disaster relief around the globe. World Vets has programs in 36 countries on 6 continents and works in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Founded in 2006, World Vets is a 501c3 organization. For more information, visit http://www,worldvets.org.

World Vets Prepares for Civil-Military Deployment

For the forth consecutive year, World Vets will be deploying on the Pacific Partnership humanitarian aid mission with the US Navy.  The four month long mission provides medical, dental and veterinary aid. This year the mission will visit Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia.  World Vets provides the civilian veterinarians for the joint civil-military mission.  One of the goals of the mission is to “prepare for crisis in times of calm”.  World Vets is proud to be a part of this important mission.

For the 2012 mission, 5 veterinarians and 2 licensed technicians from World Vets will be aboard the ship which departs San Diego in a few short weeks.   We have also shipped 2 pallets of veterinary supplies which will help to improve veterinary care in the Philippines.

Last week, World Vets Field Service Veterinarian Dr Winnie Neunzig attended the Pacific Partnership NGO and Associations Brief in Washington DC, hosted by USAID, as our veterinary teams prepare for their upcoming deployment.

 

Saved from the streets of Nicaragua

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.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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