If Wishes Were Horses...

 This was our last working day on this trip. 

Above, Dr.Gispert presents Dr.Traver with a Cuban baseball cap. 

This is in thanks for a horse motifed cap Michele gave him during her last visit.

Our first activity was an early morning deworming for the coach horses of Habana Vieja.

The garage is located in the shadow of the Talapiedra power plant.

Michele made quick friends ...

... while it took Dr.B a little time for his friend to open up.

 

The Cocheros arrive at the garage in their personal "vehicles".

They then hitch their horse to one of the "Tour Carriages"

In addition to the deparasitization, Dr.Travers consulted
on the concerns that some Cocheros had with their horse's health.
Much of it was hoof related.
Are there any farriers in the house?

Next stop...

Clínica Veterinaria ¨Jose Luis Callejas¨on Calle Carlos III

Our best laid plans for the afternoon came to an abrupt end due to

"No Hay Corriente"

Electrical line maintenance had blacked out the clinic for most of the day.

  

 Our plan was to sterilize the dogs from Quinta de los Molinos located across the street.

With the power out, much of the staff was released for the day.

The same for workers from Quinta that were to handle and care for the dogs

This clinic is the largest in Havana and possibly all of Cuba.
It is not only a challenge to maintain the structure ...but a greater concern is maintaining a supply of much needed medicines.  

To help with the struggle we had supplies to leave with
 Dr. Rafael Pino Ventosa the interim clinic director.

It is a large facility ...

 During the visit we discussed future collaborations with Dr.Pino.

 

If I wish really hard ...

... maybe a campaña at Carlos III could be a reality.

I would like to thank the great team we had on this trip.

But wait there's more.

A little back ground on this visit.

Have a look at our blog posting

Cuban Vets Rock.

In Cuba, it is common for Veterinary Consultorios to be located in the veterinarian's own home.
On this evening we visited Dr.Angel Mario in his home consultorio.
Dr.Angel Mario Rodriguez - Airport Frontier Vet and Rockin' Guitarist.

You gotta like it when the doctor makes them smile.

There was lot's for us to smile about on this trip!

Cats in Habana Vieja

February 28, 2012

 

 Photo:Susana Hurlich

With the stray dog population of Habana Vieja well on the way to being under control, our thoughts turn to cats.

For years, cats were seldom seen in Old Havana.

As a matter of fact in 2003 Barrio Chino (Chinatown) was the only place I saw cats.

Now, there is a joke in there somewhere.

Nowadays they are roaming the streets and feral colonies are growing in numbers.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Dr.Michele Travers once again brought out her custom cat surgery table.

 

 Photo:Susana Hurlich

While she set up Dr.Belovich and Krystal prepped her first patient.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Pedicures are done at all our campañas.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Dr.Travers secured the patient in "the device".

 
Photo:Susana Hurlich

Our Cuban partners looked on with interest.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Dr.Danis from San Miguel del Padron joined us.

It's great when our collaborators from different municipalities come together to help out.

To finish up our morning, Dr.Belovich and Krystal, from Yonge Street Animal Hospital, presented a banner to Dr.Gispert .

We also had a guest this day from the

Cuba Travel Network.

Check out there story here.

We look forward to our upcoming October visit when we will conduct a

TNR (Trap Neuter and Return)

of feral cats.

After our working session at Clinica Laika we headed to El Municipio 10 de Octubre.

Here we spoke with the Municipal IMV Director "Harry".
Full name Dr. Harry Stamatopolos Mpountos.

This 12 square kilometer community has one Veterinary Clinic and one Consultorio.

We discussed their needs and our objectives in hope of future collaborations.

As we waited for our ride back to Habana Vieja, Harry rescued a kitten on the busy road.

Looks like he now has company for the Consultorio Cat which Dr.B is holding below.

Krystal, it's only day four.
Wake up ...

... it's time for some sightseeing.

February 29

After dinner in Barrio Chino and a nights sleep we were back at it in the morning.

The location Centro Habana.

Joining the resident Vets was Dr.Gispert from Clinica Laika.

Here he can do some hands on instead of being a

coordinator.

Note the orange collar and bag around this dogs neck.

Each step in the process for the patient is documents. ie vitals and meds.

The patients "chart" is always close at hand .

This is a new concept for Cubans during mass sterilization campañas.

Dr.Ibrahim, one of the resident Vets, doing a "flank spay".

We are truly appreciative of our Cuban collaborators.

Also, we are thankful for the financial support we receive through the

"DONATE"

button on this site.

We are still in debt for the supplies we purchased and delivered last February.

Please help ... if you can.