This time we chose the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Clinic at Abuko as the location for our
neutering programme as we hoped that more local people would be encouraged to bring in their dogs and cats
for neutering as well as having anti-rabies vaccinations

The DLS site was set up by the British in 1952 and the buildings are practical and spacious, but due to many
changes over the past few years, some have become run down. Luckily a number of the staff were very
enthusiastic about the Clinic and with Dodou's input work soon started to repair the electricity and water
supplies. The Clinic and recovery area were fully disinfected and by Tuesday January 15 we were ready.

The team this time included a vet from the Netherlands, Rob Schell, who had heard about GambiCats on the web and had already made a generous donation of veterinary items. Rob volunteered his time and also paid his own travel and staying costs in addition to providing a large amount of drugs and supplies - what an offer! He devoted nearly 6 full days of his week's visit to the Clinic and Yvonne, his wife, also put in a couple of days helping! For vet nurse Suzanne Jones, this was her fourth visit to help us - and her fourth vet! Luckily she and Bob soon settled into an efficient pattern of work - even sharing a liking for the same music, when energy levels needed restoring in the Clinic, as well as glasses of strong green tea!

Tuesday got off to a steady start which helped everyone get used to working together. Three dogs came in from Gambian owners plus one stray caught by Foday and Alajie. Three were females which gave Rob a good introduction to working under Gambian conditions. Rob also had the great idea of giving owners a reward of a luxury pen in a silver case from a supply brought from the Netherlands!

On Wednesday we were greeted again by Bobby, the first dog neutered. He had been stabbed in the chest during the night by robbers breaking into his compound! The wound was serious and our medicine chest limited, however Rob and Suz cleaned and dressed it and Bobby's owner was asked to return for more dressings during the next days which he did several times. Bobby is now OK.

As there were several cats at Palm Beach Hotel where we were staying, we decided to take some for neutering and caught 2 at breakfast on Wednesday. Five more were caught over the next days. The past Director of the DLS, Jabel Sowe, a good friend from previous visits, brought in his dog which had broken a leg bone – luckily we had some splints and these were put to good use. Mr Sowe returned several more times for the bandages to be replaced and the splints checked.
Although word-of-mouth helped spread news about the Clinic to prospective customers, we also used announcements on the three Gambian radio stations (in 4 languages), and in local mosques, to publicise the Clinic. These produced good results and we will certainly use them in future visits.

 

Over the 5½ days the Clinic was open some 63 dogs and cats were seen and treated in some way; 37 dogs and 12 cats were neutered. The dogs were usually given anti-rabies injections. A number of others were treated for wounds and skin conditions and one returned to have her stitches renewed and a collar provided to stop a repeat situation.

The most demanding operation was the amputation of a front leg on a rescued dog named Micky. He was brought in on Saturday after 11 dogs had already been neutered by the team. The operation was long and demanding but he was a strong dog and is making a good recovery. His owner received a supply of bandages so that the dressing could be changed regularly with supervision from a local vet.

There were some sad moments, several of the kittens at Palm Beach Hotel seemed to have a virus and died or had to be put to sleep. We also found a beautiful yellow and green chameleon in the grounds near the Clinic - unfortunately s/he was pronounced DOA after some rehydration was attempted!

Our 4 year-old Pajero also seized up one morning which involved a lot of running around for Dodou getting it fixed, and alternative transport arrangements having to be made for a day. We welcomed a number of visitors including Dr B Jaw, Director DLS, Dr Daffe, Assistant Director DLS, Dr Sanyang (ITC), Dr Favouray (ITC), Dr Jarju (DLS), Dr Sonko (DLS), Mr Bah (DLS), private vets Dr Micha Meyer and Dr Joof. Our long-time supporter, local vet Dr Ousman Ceesay also visited briefly, a family bereavement prevented him from staying on but Paul, his assistant, was able to attend.

We were very pleased to meet Mrs Oumie Saho again, who is in charge of the DLS Clinic and attended our Workshop at Abuko in 2000; also Mr Borrie Jabang, Head of Microbiology at DLS, who also gave us a great amount of support in setting up the Clinic, even devoting his weekend to helping!

It was New Year in The Gambia on January 18th – perhaps this helped make this a very successful and enjoyable Clinic?

We promised a report on progress neutering the cats here and hope these photos will give some idea of this little oasis on the  River Gambia. There are a couple of small bars overlooking the water, lots of cats and dogs, also some chickens! To date some 17 female and 6 male cats have been neutered - a big improvement, but more remain to be caught & they will be the most wary ones....