Worldwide Veterinary Service

The trip got off to a good start – despite an overnight flight – as we’d made email contact prior to departing and got on well as soon as we met up at the airport. On arrival at Samos airport we were met by Joeri, who seemed to keep everything running at the charity and instantly warmed to this larger than life character. He showed us where we were staying and after a brief break to settle in and rest we met up for brunch before setting off to tour the shelter and clinic with the students who’d arrived earlier. I’ve only done one other charity trip, but the clinic seemed pretty well equipped and with the temperature in the high 30s we noted with relief the air-conditioning in the theatre! We familiarised ourselves with the layout and the equipment and drugs available and started work. We adopted the anaesthetic protocols from previous trips with xylazine, diazepam and ketamine for the dogs we neutered and medetomidine, butorphanol and ketamine for the cats, although later on we found some propofol for the dogs which gave a smoother anaesthesia and we wished we’d had some more. We needed to top up a lot as procedures took longer than usual with the students gaining experience, but really, given the inevitable lack of gaseous anaesthesia, the protocols worked well and the only casualty of the week was a poorly kitten which came in with multiple problems including an intussuception. It was corrected surgically but sadly she died two days later. Additionally we carried out a splenectomy and an enucleation on dogs and amputated a tail and a hind leg from two cats. It was a good mix of experience for the students and it was very rewarding to see their confidence visibly growing over the week. Joeri had thoughtfully stationed us in the picturesque town of Pythagoria, a couple of hundred yards from the sea, so days tended to start with a stroll down to the harbour and a swim for those who felt so inclined. They usually ended with a meal at one of the many seafront restaurants, some actually on the beach with the water lapping a few feet away, so it didn’t feel too much like hard work! The social side of the trip was a real bonus: we worked well as a team and ate together most nights. The final day was spent exploring the island, finishing up with a farewell meal for the whole team with Joeri. He was obviously well know around the island and on the way we met a couple who handed him a puppy they’d found and then joined us for the meal! It was this kind of casual yet immensely practical attitude which seemed to characterise the charity’s approach, and we felt we were helping a really worthwhile cause and having a great time into the bargain! I suspect that Samos hasn’t seen the last of us…