Re: MAWS in Maun, Botswana

Lilly JB RVN — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:32:49 GMT

Hiya..well a quick run down of my experience: we were picked up from the airport, taken to our self contained cottage (most other volunteers get put up in a house sit arrangement i think)..stocked with food and drink for our stay. We started at 8 the next day (there are two, very nice, permanent members of staff who start at this time so we fitted around them). Ops are all done under injectable anaesthesia..Xylazine given im..then ketamine im..once sleepy we carried them through from kennel area to op area (room with two large tables and all other drugs/supplies etc) placed IVs and gave all other drugs as per their protocol (IV diazepam, IM Meloxicam, SC Ivomec, vaccines, penicillin.) and pop an ET tude down (no gas-just placed to maintain the airway) We would then clip and prep and carry to the 2nd table where ops were being carried out...

It was very much a "production line" set-up. The dogs were "monitored" by the vets doing the surgery..ie. If huffy/or moving in some cases-the vets would ask for top IV of either Ket/Diaz mix or Thio. Once they were finished we would place the dogs on a blanket on the floor, remove ET, spray with flea/tick stuff and purple spray the wounds. ... and continue through the day. I know it obviously not the best protocol but it works out there under those conditions and the dogs were mostly very sweet and good recoveries were had by most! (much less fuss and noise was made by those than most of the dogs over here! )

We finished at 2/3 ish most days..it was pretty full on but good fun.

Sorry...I started by saying that would be brief...oops!

Re: MAWS in Maun, Botswana

salliee5 — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 10:35:50 GMT

Goodness I remember your post a whike back I cannot believe that you have now been and returned! Great that you had a good time and yeah let us all know about it, I love hearing about trips away especially animal related.

Re: MAWS in Maun, Botswana

Siobhan Steven — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:24:05 GMT

Can you elaborate on the type of things you got to do? I have going to Africa on my bucket list, I have looked at Moholoholo in South Africa. I will look at the Maun website but it would be good to have a first hand isea.

Cheers.