Vet clinic goes to dogs
Visiting veterinary team helps counter rabies, reduces unwanted litters, saves mother and pups
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Saturday, June 24, 2017
IGLULIK
Close to 100 Iglulik pets received free treatment from a travelling veterinary team from the University of Prince Edward Island earlier this month.
A veterinary team from the University of Prince Edward Island, part of what's known as the Chinook Project, landed in Iqaluit and flew into Iglulik in mid-June to hold a clinic. - photo courtesy of Janelle Kennedy
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Vaccinations were administered, including for rabies. The veterinarians' visit coincided with a few cases of rabies having recently been diagnosed in Iglulik dogs. There were also numerous checkups and spaying and neutering surgeries performed to help curb unplanned litters of pups in the future.
"It's a good start," said Greg Morash, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.
The number of animals brought in for treatment was expected to be even higher but a significant number of Iglulik residents were out sealing or gathering eggs, Morash noted.
"If we ever plan something like this again, we'll plan it for a different time of the year to see if we can get a little more (interest)," he said.
An emergency surgery was also required as a mother dog was attacked by another canine, had her abdomen ripped open and lost two of her four pups, said Janelle Kennedy, president of the Iqaluit Human Society, who helped coordinate the veterinary visit.
"She was a mess. They saved the mom and the other two puppies were okay. They were very young," Kennedy said. "The sled dog team owner that saw the (veterinarians) working, doing surgery so fast, was very thankful and very impressed."
The seasoned veterinarians and veterinary students from the university are part of an ongoing initiative known as Team Chinook. They visit remote Northern communities each summer to provide pet care at no charge, relying on fundraising and donations to cover expenses. In Iglulik, the hamlet provided the old community hall as the site for the vet clinic and ensured the veterinarians had accommodations.
Having satisfied needs in Iglulik, the members of the Chinook Project planned to wrap up a few days earlier than scheduled and return to Iqaluit to hold a free clinic there for a couple of days. The veterinary team's attempts to fly back to the territorial capital were thwarted last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, however, due to fog and poor weather. While waiting, they reopened the Iglulik clinic.
A few of the veterinarians also seized the opportunity to take quick trips out on the land by snowmobile and dog team.
"Overall they enjoyed coming out here," Morash said.
