Courtesy Photo | Capt. Michael Fielder, Victory Base Complex veterinarian, 248th Medical Detachment,...... read more read more
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By Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP SLAYER, Iraq -- Like people, dogs need regular checkups and screenings. The Veterinary Clinic on Camp Slayer provides those checkups and other treatments for K9s across Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
The clinic's primary mission is to provide varying levels of support to dog teams, said Capt. Michael Fielder, Victory Base Complex veterinarian, 248th Medical Detachment. The levels range from one to three, with the first being minor injuries such as broken nails and small cuts. Level Two involves injuries that require a higher level of equipment, and Level Three cases usually require more definitive surgical care.
The clinic is equipped to handle some surgeries, but it depends on the type. Those which cannot be handled at Camp Slayer usually get transported to a clinic in the International Zone, Fielder said.
"If a dog comes in with a ruptured spleen, I could remove the spleen and the dog would be back and working in five to six days," he said. "If I had an emergency surgery come in that we're not fully equipped to handle, I would do absolutely everything I could to stabilize the dog for travel to the next destination."
The clinic is available 24 hours for emergency care, but it has not had any cases since Fielder and Spc. Thanisha Contes, veterinary technician, 248th Med. Det., arrived in September.
Semi-annual physical exams account for most of the clinic's patients, which come in for appointments, Contes said. Depending on the K9's health, he will receive either a basic checkup or one that is more thorough, where the vet may have to draw blood, run fecal tests or conduct X-rays. After tests are conducted, they are sent to Golby Troop Medical Clinic for results.
"It's very similar to a human going in for a checkup at the doctors," Contes said.
One difference is that it can be more difficult to control a dog, Fielder said. Just like humans, dogs occasionally need tranquilizers to help relax.
"Sometimes we have to give them a little something to take the edge off, but for the most part, their handlers are really (helpful)," he said.
The K9s are required to wear a muzzle for everyone's safety and easier handling.
Even when dogs act up, both agree that helping K9s is rewarding and enjoyable work.
"I especially dig the nice ones, but I enjoy the mean ones too, because you can work out an understanding with them a lot of times," Fielder said. "It gives you a good sense of accomplishment."
For Contes, the most rewarding aspect of working as a veterinary technician in Iraq was realizing that she really knew her job. Although she and Fielder work together as a team, there are days he visits other clinics and she stays behind to care for the K9s without him.
"I have a vet I can get in contact with if I need to, but realizing I can get along without the vet is a pretty good feeling," she said. "I love dogs, and it helps that I don't get frustrated with them very easily."
"It keeps us busy," Fielder said. "A lot of the job is being able to work with the dogs' personalities."
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2007 07:18 |
| Story ID: | 9357 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 167 |
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