Dr John Travels to the NT for a week of volunteer work with AMRRIC

By John Morgan | Dated June 20, 2023

Dr John was given an amazing opportunity with Animal Management in Remote and Rural Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) for a week in May to use his skills as a vet to help the dogs and cats of Maningrida, NT. This involved health checks, parasite treatment, a census of the population of cats and dogs living in Maningrida and discussing the benefits of desexing in an area that receives veterinary services on average once every 3-6 months.

The veterinary team that John supported during a week of volunteer work in May.

The diseases encountered in domestic pets in Maningrida are far different from what we see in Gordon. The recently introduced tick borne parasite Ehrlichiosis is taking many lives and causing severe disease associated with excessive bleeding in dogs. There is also a disease commonly seen in tropical populations called transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) which is a form of infectious cancer affecting the genitalia of many dogs. More commonly, parasite burdens with things that we rarely see now such as fleas, mange, ticks, heartworm and intestinal worms are extremely common and affect countless dogs and cats.

Sabina providing treats to dogs including one with severe mange.

Thankfully, the local community were very supportive of the work Dr John and the team of 3 others he worked with were doing. A lot of people were pre-registering pets for desexing operations when the next vets get out there in September and were extremely appreciative of basic flea, tick and worming preparations that were provided. While sometimes tedious (especially when a house with 7+ cats was found), the census data obtained helps track animal disease incursions and helps with overpopulation among other things.

Not all pets were happy to receive treatments…

Dr John was extremely grateful for the opportunity AMRRIC provided him and would encourage those interested in what they do to go to their website or even donate to their cause here.

John with Vicki a young pup requiring treatment in Maningrida.