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July
2 through July 18, 2001
Upon arrival in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Holly Moore
and I were immediately enamored by the lush tropical mountains surrounding
the city's placid Bay of Banderas. It is unbelievable that so many homeless
animals reside within this tropical paradise. Holly and I volunteered
our time in Puerto Vallarta in order to practice our surgical skills on
many of these intact stray animals, which we would subsequently place
in the city's two animal adoption agencies. We did gain much spay and
neuter experience, but our day-to-day interactions with clients and Dr.
Tlacuilotzin, our veterinary host, provided much more insight into the
remarkable Mexican culture and their approach to companion animals. I
think that the best way to explain my externship is to simply describe
a typical day in Puerto Vallarta.
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As
the sun begins to rise over the eastern mountains, we head out of our front
beach apartment for a morning swim. Glad to escape the steamy apartment,
we float in the gentle Pacific while stray dogs forage for scraps along
the shore. After a ten-minute swim, we shower and head to the local fruit
stand for yogurt, granola, and the freshest, juiciest mangoes I've ever
tasted. Satiated, we board the local bus for 3 pesos apiece and settle in
for a bumpy fifteen-minute ride to the veterinary clinic. The bus drops
us off across from the clinic, and the temperature is already 95º F, about
the same temperature of the clinic in which we are about to work. |
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The
first duty of the day is to clean out the cages and walk the dogs. It's
normal to only walk dogs about once per day in Mexico veterinary clinics,
but we try to get them outside at least a couple times each day. It's also
interesting to note that none of the cats have litter boxes, so we construct
what we can out of discarded boxes and shredded newspaper.
Having completed our chores, we assist Dr. Tlacuilotzin with
a recently diagnosed diabetic case. He's never managed one before, and
he amazingly relies upon us to construct a glucose curve and choose the
proper insulin (Lente in this case). The two American clients and Dr.
Tlacuilotzin are pleased.
Next, we assist Dr Tlacuilotzin with a hind limb
amputation at the mid-femur. The previous owners of the dog could not
afford the surgery, so Dr. Tlacuilotzin adopted the dog, Lexi and absorbed
the cost of surgery himself! Dr. Tlacuilotzin works with speed and diligence
and remains calm when the femoral artery is accidentally severed. The
bleeding is stopped, and the rest of the surgery goes smoothly. We will
be pleased to discover that the amputee is walking quite comfortably on
three legs the next day
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At
1:00 p.m., Dr. Tlacuilotzin's friends, the Association for the Protection
of Animals (APA) and Amigos de los Animales, arrive with six kittens for
us to spay.
Dr. Tlacuilotzin leaves Holly and I to spay these
kittens using only IM anesthesia. We are a bit unsure of our skills, but
Holly and I spay three kittens apiece by 4:00 p.m. The surgeries go remarkably
well, but our biggest problem is having sweat drip into the surgical field!
The same spay pack is used for each kitten, so post-op antibiotics are
given to all.
Even though Dr. Tlacuilotzin pays much less attention
to aseptic technique, we never once encountered a problem with iatrogenic
infection. We will be happy to learn that three of the six kittens are
adopted the following weekend.
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The
last case of the day is a mis-mating. Treatment of choice is lemon juice
and sugar placed intavaginally for ten-minutes. As long as the cervix has
not closed, Dr. Tlacuilotzin believes efficacy approaches 90%. |
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Having
finished seeing cases, Holly and I remain to hear Dr. Tlacuilotzin's views
on Americans, veterinary medicine, and life itself. Dr. Tlacuilotzin is
truly a unique, compassionate man. He is one of the few veterinarians in
Puerto Vallarta who accepts stray charity cases. He is paid very little
to spay or neuter an APA or Amigos de los Animales animal, but he continues
to support the work of the above adoption agencies through leadership and
discounted services. |
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As
we return home to our apartment in time for the sunset, Holly and I realize
that Dr. Tlacuilotzin might enjoy life and veterinary medicine more than
anyone we know. In light of his antiquated clinic by American standards,
he provides excellent and compassionate veterinary care. So if you are open-minded
and interested in working in a clinic that lacks most of the modern equipment
and drugs, then this is the externship for you. You will become adept at
physical exams, as this is often the only means to make a diagnosis. A 1960's
vintage X-ray machine is available, but many clients cannot afford the procedure.
It will be extremely useful if you speak Spanish, but Dr. Tlacuilotzin and
many of the clients speak remarkably good English. And if you are lucky,
Dr. Tlacuilotzin might even take you on a fruit-locating mountain biking
trip into the nearby hills, followed by a breakfast of cacti and fresh fruit
with his awesome family.
This externship will certainly improve your veterinary
skills, but more importantly, you will gain insight into the culture of
our beautiful and often misunderstood neighbors. The Mexicans we met have
broad smiles, hospitable hearts, and strong family values.
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I greatly admire their relaxed and simple approach
to life. Life in Mexico is very different and often much more frugal than
my own, but, in many ways, Mexican life is so much better. I can't wait
to return.
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We
extend our warmest heartfelt thanks to Roie, director of Amigos de los Animales,
and Dr. Tlacuilotzin. You can contact Roie at http://www.surfnetusa.com/AmigosdelosAnimales
for information about volunteering and housing. You can also e-mail Dr.
Tlacuilotzin at Tlacuilo@PVnet.com.mx about externing
with him, and he will be happy to answer any questions you may have. |
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