By Lydia Barry, BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing student – Edinburgh Napier University/The College of Animal Welfare
After two long flights and a car journey where our lives flashed before our eyes on numerous occasions, we arrived at the first campus in the beautiful Pookode. At first, over taking on blind bends and the constant beeping of horns was surreal, but a few days later and I oddly seemed to enjoy it.
India was hot, beautiful and chaotic. The people inquisitive, yet very polite when asking for selfies. All concerns of inter cultural communications were dissolved within the first day. The veterinary doctors and students spoke impeccable English, making every effort to accommodate us with a ‘Hearty Welcome’ and a continuous supply of tea, cookies and the odd curry and banana leaf (which really tested the best of poker faces). At both campuses, problem solving with regards to communication was easily overcome when two vital members of staff did not speak English. Putting our drawing skills to the test, we created numerous images of dogs going to the toilet at a tree amongst others. It was at this point where we all realised the simplicity but enormity of the task that laid ahead.
There was a definite contrast between the two hospitals with regards to both business and clinical decision making. Pookode being the most rural campus was the quieter, with occasional surgery but plenty of inpatients. After a quick tour, Hayley and Heather separated the lecturers to different areas and myself and the other students planned to rotate during the week. In the UK, my passion lies in the medical management of inpatients so I volunteered to be on the first rotation of the IP area.
The kennels were full of sick and injured street dogs with conditions varying from radial paralysis to skin infections. The quality of life for these patients was questionable however we quickly realised the difference in clinical management of cases. Cases that required surgical intervention such as amputation were refused for differing reasons. This included cultural resistance, contradictory views on autonomy and human views on the ‘correct’ appearance of animals. Euthanasia was also a tricky treatment option due to ethical and cultural resistance from both the general public and the veterinary staff. This came as a bit of a shock, but it reiterated the everyday struggles of individual veterinary clinicians in comparison to that in the UK where welfare is often achieved by the option of euthanasia.
In comparison, Mannuthy was a much busier urban vets where numerous surgical procedures occurred on a daily basis. Once again, the kennels were full of dogs which had minimal disease processes that were waiting for rehoming. When speaking to clinicians here, amputation and enucleation was widely accepted whereas euthanasia was still opposed to. It was interesting to see the massive difference in views between two schools of the same university which were only hours apart.
Feline patients were rare. We encountered three stray cats during the trip: Joe, Rocky and Annie. Being a cat lover, I found these cases very difficult but rewarding. Joe presented with a necrotic limb following a road traffic accident and with gentle persuasion, the team amputated his limb by using the operation as a teaching exercise to encourage the veterinary students and also clinicians that this option was a relatively straightforward, inexpensive and successful procedure which resulted in Joe’s release two days later. As well as teaching the Indian staff, I learnt a lot. Using problem solving techniques such as warming the patient outdoors, using a plant pot for a drip stand and bandaging with white open weave.
Such problem solving techniques were tested even further throughout the trip, particularly within the kennel area. Many of the patients had no stimulation and were restricted to a lonely kennel environment. Using plastic water bottles, tyres and leaves to create scavenging techniques for food and using car mats for beds were just some of the methods of creating a more enriched environment. After watching the dogs interact, we housed certain pairs together to create a social environment. The veterinary students and labourers who worked in the kennel area were impressed and amazed at the difference. I was too, it was amazing to see the difference we had made through the implementation of hospital sheets, collars, labels and enrichment. It was rewarding to see the student’s taking the patient’s for walks, cleaning consult tables between patients and giving the dogs an all new concept: ‘Tender Loving Care’. The students loved this notion, giggling when we said ‘TLC Time’, but eventually learning the importance of loving and caring for patients.
All of these ideas reiterated the importance of the role of the veterinary nurse in the day to day care of veterinary patients. Whilst veterinary nurses do not exist here, there is an animal husbandry course that is similar. The veterinary clinicians seemed to appreciate this and were all very much keen to begin the training programme!
The two weeks flew by working with an amazing team. After being asked continuously for photos, being in the Hindu News and having many emotional moments, it was amazing to see the end result.