February 15, 2009 - 29 animals sterilized 
today by Dr. Tello, our wonderful veterinarian!

Today Dr. Tello sterilized 14 dogs and 15 cats. Of the 14 dogs, all were female. Of the 15 cats, 11 were female and 4 were male.  There were several pregnancies but no venereal tumors this time.

One woman asked what Dr. Tello was going to do to her dog. We explained that he would remove the uterus and the ovaries. She said a "local vet" told her that wasn't necessary. That's what a lot of them do around here - just tie the tubes. So they continue to go into heat, continue to have sex, and remain at risk for venereal tumors which are eventually fatal.

We close the front door before giving anesthesia to cats, because it's not unusual for them to get loose. One today was quite a challenge. It jumped onto a cornice over a window, then tried to jump to the ceiling in the corner. Of course there was nothing to grab onto, and it fell onto the post-op table, knocking lots of stuff on the floor. Quite an exciting time until the cat was caught. See the picture below just before it was given the anesthesia.

MANY thanks to our wonderful volunteers and contributors. Without their help and dedication, this important work simply could not be done.

Cindy Reichert, who served as registrar and helped bring and take animals home;
Lynn Longbons and Devin Licata, who gave the injections of anesthesia and pre-op injections;
Bob Wald, who did pre-op shaving and prepping;
Jose Espinosa. He is my permanent employee and I donate his time and work to the clinics. He helps weigh and tag the animals and give the anesthesia; he and I go to the clinic site on Mondays following the Sunday clinics to clean and organize for the next one;
Wally Ewen, who gave the post-op injections of vitamin B-12 and anti-parasite, flea and tick treatment, and tattooed the ears of female dogs to indicate they have been sterilized;
Argelis Gomez, who monitored the animals while they recovered from the anesthesia;
Francia Pinedo, who assisted Dr. Tello and helped wherever necessary, including translation. (Thanks also to Francia for helping to schedule the animals. She also does the translation for the Spanish version of this web site.) Francia is a good friend and I know her to be an excellent - and honest - real estate agent in Volcan. Her web page is http://www.volcan.paradisepanama.net 
Eymi Pitti, who cleaned and sterilized the surgical instruments.

Thanks to Linda Weldon for contributing sandwiches; to Dana Larson for a pot of black bean stew;  Richard Kongable for contributing soft drinks. (Linda Weldon  accepts orders for her delicious baked goods; contact her at lindadenisew@yahoo.com for a list of items and prices.)

Please forgive me if I have neglected to mention any volunteers or contributors! 

Income and financial donations:

At this February 15, 2009 clinic, we sterilized 14 dogs and 15 cats. At my average cost of $20 per dog and $10 per cat, expenses were $430, plus $100 for building rent for a total expense of $530. With total contributions of $590.00, there was a positive cash flow for this clinic of $60.00. Therefore, since October of 2006 to date, my accumulated deficit is reduced to $4,083.75.  Thank you and bless you!  Your contributions are welcome and needed!

Following are a few pictures taken during the February 15, 2009 clinic. 

Woman with her kitten.	Man with his dog.	Bob Wald in pre-op.
A VERY angry cat!	Man with his dog in recovery.	Wally Ewen in post-op.
Cindy Reichert in registration.	These two dogs are ready to go home.	Surgery on a big dog.
Jose Espinosa, Carlito, Dr. Tello.	Young man, Francia Pinedo, Dr. Tello.	Carlito, his son, and Argelis Gomez.
Three cats in recovery.	Devin Licata and Lynn Longbons.	Big dog!
Roxan Hesse & daughter's dog being spayed.	Pretty dog almost ready to go home.	Dr. Tello and a bear for his new son, Emanuel, born on January 17th.

Here in Volcan, our small group has been responsible for sterilizing 666 animals to date. Added to the 129 animals that Spay/Panama (from Panama City) sterilized in in Volcan in February of 2005, we have sterilized 795 dogs and cats! There are many more to go, but we are making progress!  Our goal is to sterilize at least 75% of the dogs and cats in the Volcan area, and thus almost completely solve the problem of homeless dogs and cats, and the terrible venereal disease suffered by so many dogs.

Dorothy Atwater - 771-5883 or 6780-2565 or viajar2566@yahoo.com

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