MOBILE ANIMAL CLINIC AND HOSPITAL STERILIZATION FOR STRAY DOGS

 

 

 

 

Principle and Reasons

Stray dogs are often accused of transmitting rabies to human. The municipal has to eliminate about 50,000 stray dogs each year as a precaution against the epidemic and in attempt to control strayed population. It is a known fact, however, that mass elimination can not readily solve stray dogs problems, as long as there are still abandoned pets, ample food, and street reproduction. Approximately 50,000 additional dogs are added to the population each year, either through abandonment or street reproduction. The cause of strayed animals came from irresponsible ownership. Ineffective garbage control and kind handout make food supply and street breeding most abundant. Stopping people from feeding the strays is still impractical in the Thai society. Killing is never the answer and only leads to conflict between the authorities and animal lovers. Only ownership responsibility can stop stray dogs problems, but it is not easy to implement. Street reproduction, on the other hand, can be readily controlled through sterilization. Population control through sterilization is humane and has been proven successful in many countries. The existing population in an area can also serve to prevent new migration. .

A female dog on the street can give birth to approximately 12 puppies over a year. Six of these have a good chance of growing up into fertile adults. A male, on the other hand, can mate with at least four females and contribute approximately twenty-four puppies. Together there can be at least 30 fertile dogs from the first batch of just one pair of male and female. At 50% sex ratio, there will be 15 fertile males and 15 available female. The females can give birth to at least 90 more puppies (six each), while the males (each with four wives) can contribute as many as 360 puppies by the end of the year. This third generation-450 males and females-will produce up to 6,750 fertile dogs. Neutering 1,000 male and female strays a year can, therefore, prevent up to 450,000 unwanted dogs. Neutering and vaccinating both males and females can prevent both over population and rabies transmission.

Stray dogs in Thailand can be divided into two categories. First are "street dogs". These are street wanderers, who received no direct human assistance and have to raven for food. Street dogs afraid of human, and those with skin decease are rejected even by its own kind. They are prone to illness and often killed by road accidents. They, therefore, do not present as a health or public threat. Another type of strayed dogs is "community dogs" which receive ample food and limited care from local neighborhood without actual claim of ownership. This type of strays has a high potency for survival and reproduction, thus, corporate a major population. Community dogs are also more approachable and, if carry rabies, can be potentially dangerous. Community dogs should therefore be the main subjects for sterilization.

A Mobile Clinic, aims to control problems associating with stray population, has been in operation since March 1997. Aside from controlling epidemic and strayed population, the unit also helps reduce animal sufferings, by providing medical care strayed animals during each operation. Animals with medical or physical illness, such as infections, malignance, internal tumors, and even miscarriage shall be attended to. The strays that have undergone sterilization will no longer be a threat to public. They will in stead help control the existing population and get to live a healthier life they deserve.
The mobile unit is capable of handling approximately 25 cases a day at a cost of approximately 350 baht per dog or 1,300 cases at 1,440,904 baht a year. A 12 weeks (3 month) operating budget is also possible at 199,999 baht.

Objectives
1. Neutering both male and female dogs without ownership as a practical mean to control stray population.
2. Rabies vaccination to prevent epidemic disease.
3. Veterinarian treatment for animals with any sign of illness, infection, or visible injury.
4. Create public awareness of the situation and understanding of an acceptable solution.

Operation Procedure
1. Coordinate with local authority for appropriate location with adequate ventilation, shading, and access to electricity and water supply.
2. Make an early announcement to advice local neighborhood of the operation at least five days in advance. Banner with information about the exact date and location, as well as leaflets with detail to prepare animal for an operation, should be provided. 
3. A team of dog handler's rounds up dogs in the area, using tranquilizer and specified equipment.
4. Trained volunteers prepare the animals for operation, check body weigh, physical condition, sterilize incision area, etc.
5. Veterinary teams perform castration in male dog and ovary hystorectomy in female.
6. Applying an extra dosage of antiseptic to reduce risk of infection in stray animals.
7. Closing the incision with dissolvable internal stitches and double layers external stitches to prevent self-inflict injury by scratching.
8. Injecting rabies vaccination to every dog.
9. Prescribe pain reliever and antibiotic medicine to local pose care volunteer.
10. A color marked collar, with Thai AGA signature, will be attached to indicate receiving operation and vaccination.

Place Preparation Equipment
1. Information banners providing detail of operating location, date, and time with names of organization and major contributors. The banners are to be placed where noticeable at least 5 days in advance.
2. Information leaflets on the date and location as well as animal preparation detail should be provided widely 24 hour in advance.
3. Operation station is preferably be 6 x 12 or at least 4 x 8 meter with adequate shade, light, ventilation, electric outlets, and water supply.
4. Operating area should be of at least 3-meter sq. and partitioned to keep spectators out.
5. Equipment tables within operating reach, a registration desk and waiting chairs outside of operating area should be provided.
6. If local pose care is not possible the dogs need to be transported to a sanctuary for proper pose care. Arrangement shall be made to ensure adequate food supply during recuperation.