Doctoring the Dogs (and cats) of Placentia, Belize
(Article from Atlanta Dog Life Magazine)

The photograph speaks volumes about the place, the cerulean blue ocean in the background, the white sand, the smiling doctor and equally smiling Labrador look-alike dog. Welcome to Belize, a beautiful but extremely poor Central American paradise for tourists but not for the resident dogs and cats.  

Dr. Anthony Bruno is not only our favorite veterinarian, he’s the honorary godfather to most of our pets. We began going to his Animal Medical Center in Lawrenceville thirteen years ago and he’s treated our many dogs and cats for a variety of ailments and conditions ever since. He’s held our hands and dried our tears when we’ve lost beloved pets and even picked out our yellow lab puppy. On one of our many visits (we have three dogs and six cats), He mentioned that he’d been to Belize to help spay and neuter and treat as many dogs and cats as he could fit into the short week he was there. October of 2006 he went again and shared some of his photos and stories that we would like to share with you. 

Dr. Bruno first learned of the makeshift clinic run by the Placencia Humane Society (PHS) from his friend and fellow veterinarian, Dr. Cliff Barnett. Dr. Barnett practices in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has been a regular visitor to Belize over the years as his family had a vacation home there when he was growing up. He invited Dr. Bruno to join him in 2005 and that was all it took. Not only did Dr. Bruno go back last October, he brought two staff members, Mandy Moulder and Chris Vinnenberg, and plans to return again next fall. Dr. Barnett brought two of his staff members and one staff doctor so they had quite a team to volunteer.

Until the last few years, pet owners on the Placencia Peninsula could only obtain care for their pets by transporting them to Belize City, or waiting for sporadic visits by veterinarians from other parts of the country. The Placencia Humane Society was formed in 1999 primarily to respond to the need for regular, local veterinary care.

Today, this worthy organization has expanded well beyond its original purpose and now offers temporary emergency shelter for stray and injured pets, no-interest loans to area residents who need help caring for their pets, spaying and neutering clinics for feral cats, and is raising funds to build a permanent clinic facility. Clinics are held every third weekend of the month at the Placencia Community Center and everyone is welcome to bring their pets for treatment.

The president of the PHS, Marcia Fox, does an incredible job keeping the organization in the public eye through signs and ads on television and radio. The day-to-day operations are managed by a tight-knit group of tireless volunteers who keep the records and do many of the functions of a clinic and shelter, including rounding up abandoned and sick animals. But it takes volunteer doctors to provide the medical care and Placencia has no resident vets. Therefore, all regular veterinary services for area pets are provided at these monthly vet clinics by a rotating group of veterinary surgeons from Belize City and Cayo. While there, Drs. Bruno and Barnett were accompanied by Dr. Eduardo Tesecum who operates his own veterinary clinic in San Ignacio, and also provides veterinary services to the Belize Zoo.

Convincing dog owners to spay and neuter their pets is not always an easy “sell.” However, one of the most pernicious diseases among unaltered dogs is Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) and is widespread in Belize. A dog that has TVT will die if the disease is not treated.

Because it’s very contagious, chances are high that any unaltered dog that has been allowed to run free has or will acquire TVT. Although it’s a form of cancer, it can usually be completely cured through a series of shots of the drug Vincristine. Unfortunately, TVT can be acquired again and again as long as the dog remains sexually active. Symptoms include unsightly tumors on the genital area. One unconvinced dog owner quickly changed his mind when Dr. Bruno persuaded him to view the body of an unfortunate victim of the disease that had been put down. One look and “Mr. Unconvinced” just handed over the leash to Dr. Bruno. One less pet to worry about.

During the scant five days at the clinic, the doctors and their staffs did over 90 spaying and neutering, performed regular examinations, vaccinated, operated and treated sick pets. The beautiful water and sandy beaches may have been calling, but I doubt any of the team had the residual energy to do much more than eat and sleep.

Speaking of sleeping, The Inn at Robert’s Grove generously donated hotel accommodations during their stay. I’d say Ms. Fox does an excellent job of public relations. Dr. Bruno said not only was the resort beautiful, his bed was a massive Mennonite construction so comfortable he had only to lay his head down to fall instantly asleep.

An interesting historical aside: The first Mennonites arrived in Belize in 1958, and now some 3,500 members live in agricultural communities there. Their farming methods are so efficient they’re the most successful farmers in Belize and supply much of the country’s produce. They also create beautiful wood furniture prized by all.

The highlight of the trip was meeting a young girl, Johney Popper of Seine Bight who was so inspired by the medical team she’s absolutely certain she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She hung around with the staff, watching eagerly all the procedures without a sign of squeamishness. She volunteered to hold the patients as needed, helped in any way she could and generally made herself constantly useful. So useful, in fact, the Humane Society and other community members are starting a scholarship fund for her education.

This was a most satisfying experience for Dr. Bruno and his staff. Even if they didn’t have time to do the tourist things, they’re all eager to return. I wonder if Dr. Bruno’s measured his bedroom to see if that Mennonite bed would fit?

http://www.placencia-pets.org

http://www.robertsgrove.com/html/index.html

http://www.animalmedicalcenterga.com/