Finally, a moment to introduce myself...

Bear with me on this as I am a blogger virgin.

A brief history of me:

I have just completed and graduated (May 1st) from an intense 4 years of the Veterinary Technology program at Colorado Mountain College. This program does NOT take four years, however after some mishaps with financial aid and a position working full time at a local animal shelter dropped into my lap, I opted to do the extended version. Now that I have completed the program I have accepted a job offer as an ER/ICU technician in Portland, OR. In fact just within the last week I made the treacherous drive from CO to OR with my lovely Mom and moved into my new place with my two little dwarfs (Sneezy and Grumpy). I have 2 weekends of work before embarking on my next journey: traveling to Nicaragua to volunteer with the World Vets organization by providing free medical care to the pet population of San Juan Del Sur.

I am beyond excited to be traveling in 3 weeks with two of the dearest people I have ever known. I am also thrilled to be spending this adventure as a volunteer with the World Vets Organization contributing to a cause that means so much to me.

From the very beginning of my Vet Tech career I have always had a fantasy of dedicating my time to helping animals in need in a far away land. I never thought it would become a reality as quickly as it has.

I am currently up to date on all the insanely expensive vaccines and wondering as well what to do regarding the Malaria. I am just biding my time in my new found city of Portland, OR by packing and saving every penny. I am also cramming as much info on Nicaragua and Spanish as I can into these next few weeks. This is the first time since school I finally feel I actually have the time and energy to do this.

I hope to be able to continue postings from our destination but if for some reason I am unable to find reliable access to the world wide web I will be telling all upon my return. Keep checking in: this is going to be one hell of an adventure.

As McClure mentioned this is the final count down! Donations as well as thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated at this crucial time!!!

Love to you all- Lindsay

Rabies is going down!

I received my third and final preventative Rabies vaccine today! This is a photo of the actual vaccine I received, it's pretty pink, huh? So that wraps up my vaccines, except for the Hep A booster I will receive in September. I'm ready to go!

I do have to decide what to do about the Malaria preventative pills. Malaria is a risk in Nicaragua, but I've heard that taking Chloroquine is actually worse than getting malaria! There is a new drug available, Malarone, that is tolerated better, but when my doctor called the pharmacy to inquire about the price, we discovered that it would cost me another $200. And unfortunately, there is the possibilty that you could contract Malaria while taking the preventative. Right now, as much as I hate using DEET, I'm thinking I will load up with that and take my chances! The information I have says that the area of Rivas has minimal risk for Malaria...anyone have any experience they want to share with Malaria pills?

And please, if you are new to this blog, check out my post on May 4th for ways you can help us make this trip happen, thanks!

The Final Push

Alright, this is it, the final push! Time to get down to business. School has kept me so busy, but now that is over (for the summer) and I've got many things to do before we leave in 3 weeks. Yep, that's right 3 weeks. There's not a lot of time and we need your help. We are asking for monetary and medical donations. Please, if you have a few extra dollars this week, send it to us. If you have access to veterinary supplies, take a peek at our wish list and send what you can our way. Here's what we need:

Most needed at this time:

2-0 and 3-0 dissolvable suture w/ needle (monofilament, absorbable)
Domitor/Antisedan
Flea/Tick Meds
IV catheters (24 and 22 gauge)
Surgical Gloves (size 6.5-8.5)
Needle Drivers
#2, #1, 0 and 2-0 chromic gut on cassette reels
Doxycycline
Cephalexin
Vaccine DHPP and FVRCP

Drugs:
Amoxicillin
Ampicillin Inj
Fluids (LRS/ saline etc)
Atropine
Clindamycin
Clavamox
Rimadyl
Dewormer
Flea/Tick Medication
Vaccine (DHPP, Rabies, FVRCP, FELV etc)
Isoflurane
Xylazine
surgical scrub
Ivermectin
Heparin
Eye Ointments
Vincristine

Supplies:
Drapes (disposable or otherwise)
Suture 2-0 and 3-0 Dissolvable with needles
Vetwrap/Co Flex
IV Catheters (24,22,20 guage)
Scalpel Blades #10 and #15
Gauze
Surgical Gloves (any size)
Endotracheal tubes
Exam gloves
Catgut suture
IV drip sets
Electric/Portable clippers
#40 clipper blades
muzzles
exam gloves
ID Bands/Paper Collars
Leashes (flat, D-ring)
Digital Thermometers

Other:
Mobile Veterinary Clinic (Dodgen or other)
Anesthetic machines(compact sizes) /vaporizers
Portable Monitors (ie pulse oximeter, portable ekg etc)
Surgical Instruments
Laptop computers
Microscope
Hoof trimming tools (nippers, rasps etc)
Otoscopes/opthalmoscopes
Equine dental equipment (floats/speculum etc)
Headlamps
AAA batteries for headlamps
V positioners for surgery

If you have access to any of these items please email me at ayuda.de.patas@gmail.com and I can give you the address to which to ship the supplies. If you think your veterinarian may be willing to help us, please pass this list on to them, or share our blog with them.

If you are able to make a monetary donation, you can do so through the pay-pal link on this page. Every penny we receive goes to this trip and the World Vets Organization. If you want to help, but don't have the time to volunteer, help us help them by sending us what you can spare. Thank you.

Preparations Continue...

It has been a crazy, busy month since I last posted and there were so many times I sat down to write, but.....WOW! A month! That means we are about 5 weeks from our departure and there is still so much to do!!!
Currently all three of us vet tech students are in the "death throws" of this semester of school. Last day of classes is Friday, final exams next week, and then we can really throw ourselves at being ready for this trip! I have lists of things I want to accomplish, but have put those on the back burner until school is done. Now I've scared myself! I haven't really looked at a calendar and realized how close we are to leaving for Nicaragua until tonight. Feeling a little overwhelmed, but I can do it! Now off to do some last minute studying for my Clinical Pathology Lab Practical Final tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Health Information for Travelers to Nicaragua

The first step to preparing for the trip to Nicaragua is making sure that we ourselves are properly vaccinated so we can perform our jobs without putting ourselves at risk! The most important for us, and also the most expensive, will be the Rabies vaccine. We will receive 3 injections, at $210 a shot, $630 total. That's a small price to pay to avoid Rabies! We are in contact with our insurance companies, to see if there is some way to get this vaccine covered, but will have to pay up-front, as the Health Department does not accept any insurance plans.

If you are traveling any time soon, check out the Center for Disease Control at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Routine ~ Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) ~ Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Hepatitis B ~ Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission (see map), especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident).

Typhoid ~ Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Mexico and Central America, especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.

Rabies ~ Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. Also recommended for travelers with significant occupational risks (such as veterinarians), for long-term travelers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure, and for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats, carnivores, and other mammals. Children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals, may receive more severe bites, or may not report bites.

So far, we've determined we are up to date on routine vaccines, received the Hepatitis vaccines, started the Typhoid live vaccine pills and will be starting Rabies soon....wish us luck!

It's Official!

We will be traveling to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua on May 29th with World Vets!!! We are so excited and can't wait to make a difference for the people and animals of Nicaragua. We will be working with World Vets until June 5th and then may stay for a few days of beach time. I keep saying we because I have two friends from the vet tech program at CMC who will be making this journey with me, so it should make for an epic adventure!

In the begining...

I have always loved animals and I have been lucky to have them in my life since day 1. There have been so many wonderful animal companions in my 29 years, Brownie, Chauncey, Bubba Bear, Jocassee, Freddie, Tiger, Powder, Doc, Acadia, Denali, Dakota, Rio, Marley....the list goes on and on. It is from their unequivocable love and companionship that I have developed the desire to give back, to share that love and compassion.
When I was 15 years old, I went to Russia as part of an exchange program. It was a life altering experience and I credit a great deal of who am I today to that experience. There are so many things I could tell you about that trip, but one story in particular, pertaining to animals and consequently this blog, I will share with you:
One afternoon, my host sister and I were returning home from the day's activities. To shorten our trip we decided to cut through an alley in the city of Ivanovo. On this alley, a large delivery truck was parked at the back entrance to a butcher shop. The back door of the truck was open and inside I could see carcasses hanging. Being a vegetarian, I wanted to look away, but what kept my attention were the cats....they were everywhere! I then realized that's all I could hear, cat's meowing and calling other cats, hissing and yowling. Cats were running down the alley towards us, running up behind us, jumping out of trees and over fences, jumping into the truck where the meat was! I couldn't believe it, never in my life had I seen this many cats. Where did they all come from?
Later, at the age of 21, I traveled to Mexico with a group of college friends. They were all painfully aware of my love for all creatures great and small. There was rarely a week that passed without me bringing home stray cats, catching dogs on the side of the road whom I was afraid would get hit, taking owls hit by cars to the nature preserve, live-catching mice and releasing them down the driveway, just so they could come right back into the house! My friends warned me that there would be lots of stray animals, and I shouldn't try to pet them or feed them, I could get bitten or catch some weird disease, and they weren't about to ruin their vacation sitting with me in a hospital! Of course I didn't listen, I had a month's supply of hand sanitizer and an innate understanding of animals! I petted stray dogs, took my left-over food out and dumped it in the alley for the strays, broke up dog fights on the beach.

My friends laughed and shook their heads, there was nothing they could do to stop me. On that trip I vowed that I would one day come back, and when I did, I would have solutions to the problems I saw. I would help set up vaccination clinics and offer spay/neuter services, to curb the feral population. I firmly believed that the animals should not suffer from poverty and ignorance, and the people should be educated about the health benefits of having pets who are disease free and a controllable feral population.
Now is finally my time. It's been a long, windy road, but I am finally here. My plan is to volunteer with World Vets, a non-profit organization providing vet services all over the world (see the link in the toolbar, above & right). Right now I'm looking at a trip to Nicaragua in May of this year.
The purpose of this blog is to share with you my journey, my hopes, my fears, my love. I believe that in order to make this world we live in a better place, we must live to serve others, those less fortunate, those without a voice, those with need...and my journey starts now.