Vet Adventures follows Dorset vet Luke Gamble as he travels the world treating animals in need. Visiting countries as diverse as Zambia, Peru, Nepal, Costa Rica and Uganda to name but a few, the unique series will see Luke do his best to treat any species of animal that needs help – both domestic and wild – in places where they have no one else to turn to and challenging his skills to the limit.I run a small country practice on the south coast of England," explains Luke Gamble, "and my goal is to treat as many animals as possible during my career and to help the people that depend on them.VetAdventure combines rewarding activities in often rugged destinations alongside professional expertise, training and memorable life experiences. For a donation which goes directly towards the funding of each respective trip, volunteers have the opportunity to accompany the trained WVS teams on the WVS projects around the world and help to make a difference in places where there are no vets or where conservation issues are in a critical state.
VetAdventure teams will consist of 4 students, 2 new graduates and 2 non-vets. Experienced WVS vets and WVS qualified Vet Nurses will accompany the team. Comfortable accommodation and food will be provided throughout the trip, a safari into the Delta and all transportation will also be organised for you.
The veterinary students chosen to participate on this trip will have the opportunity to perform blood sampling, basic stitch ups and will have a minimum of 2 hours one-to-one surgical experience per day performing neutering procedures, more if deemed appropriate by the veterinary team leader. This will allow you to become more confident with basic surgical procedures and develop clinical skills which will last a lifetime.Volunteers should be aware that facilities will be basic compared to UK small animal hospitals and adaptation or improvisation may be necessary.
Jimmy underwent epic surgery – about three hours whilst I tried to reconstruct his neck. Lots of maggots and a horrific wound, I also castrated him so all things considered Jimmy has had rather a lot to cope with today but either that or he would have had a lingering demise. He is currently sleeping off the anaesthetic and he now has to make it through the night. Fingers crossed. Whatever had caused the wound – he was probably savaged by another dog (although there are attacks on dogs by leopards in the town) he was lucky to be alive when we found him.It's a bit like resitting my finals again – 11 years later – and I need to get my stripes so the Costa Rican veterinary authorities can be sure I am up to the job. Bit of a trek to get to the training centre but it should be really interesting as apparently they practice a very different technique to the one I am used to – so fingers crossed I pass the exam! The training programme is being run at a big shelter at the top of an inactive volcano – amazing drive but the road is 'extreme' (as Simon would say) and the car took a heck of a battering on the way up. Great views and look forward to what's in store tomorrow. I'm being trained up by the head vet of the McKee foundation so no messing about there and the spotlight will be on.
We spent the afternoon with Baron and Africa – two orphaned infant chimps that the team here had rescued, integrating themselves to the 41 strong community of chimps that live on the island. Africa's mother had been caught and killed, her parts harvested for witchcraft – baby Africa was rescued by local authorities and Ngamba stepped in to do the rest. Baron is missing a finger on his right hand after being caught up in a snare when he was very young. Captured and used for the illegal pet trade, he was subsequently confiscated and is now living it up with the staff here.
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