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INUVIK
The visiting veterinarian clinic in Inuvik was the place to "paws" for a while last week.

Dr. Lucie Levy takes an ultrasound of Pip the dog during the Arctic Paws clinic March 21. Levy is a visiting veterinarian to Inuvik and outlying areas who have not had permanent veterinary care for close to two years. - T. Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

A team led by Dr. Lucie Levy faced a steady stream of pet owners and a menagerie of pets with a smile and good humour March 21 as critters of all kinds piled in to the Inuvik fire hall.

It was a sobering reminder of the ongoing need for a full-time veterinarian here, something that's been lacking for the most part for approximately two years.

Levy practices full-time in Calgary, although she's winding her career down. She's made a point, though, of travelling to outlying areas such as Inuvik as often as she can with mobile clinics.

It's the third time she's been in Inuvik at clinics sponsored by Arctic Paws, a non-profit charitable group started last winter in the community.

"They were looking for a vet to come up North and I was very interested," Levy said. "I think there's definitely a need for a full-time vet."

The clinics were originally intended as low-cost spay and neuter opportunities in Inuvik, where there is a bit of a problem with unaltered animals breeding at a too-rapid pace, said Arctic Paws representative Moe Grant.

Those plans changed when it became apparent how much of a need there was for more routine work such as exams and vaccinations, as well as surgical procedures that weren't available to pet owners who didn't have the means to either fly their animals out for treatment or drive to Whitehorse.

Sherry Ringuette dropped by the clinic without an appointment. She brought in Pip, a chihuahua she said had been looking after while his owners were away.

"He hasn't been feeling well for three days now, so I thought I'd better get him checked out," she said. "It's great to have something like this available."

Interestingly, one common procedure that Levy was performing was the removal of bladder stones.

She said it's a common ailment here in Inuvik, although she was unsure as to the cause.

Dental issues for pets were also keeping her hopping at the clinic, something she attributed to the simple lack of routine preventative care because there is no vet.

"The prevention care here is what they don't have," she said.

As for recruiting a new vet to serve the area, Levy said she was a bit unsure of why it seems to be as difficult as it is.

She said it's likely rather similar to the problems of recruiting medical doctors to outlying areas.

Many are unwilling to uproot themselves to that degree, and then there are the costs and logistics of setting up a practice.

"I'm not a person who's afraid to invest," she said. "But I also think you need someone who is truly committed."

Kyna Kozak was one of the technicians who accompanied Levy. She works in Calgary as well, and had high praise for the clinic.

"There is definitely a demand for this and the community is wonderful," she said. "This is a really excellent idea."

Jackie Lind, who works with the Alberta Spay-Neuter Task Force, also agreed there's obviously a need for a vet to establish a full-time practice again.

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