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. 2010 Oct;51(10):1115-22.

Evaluation and delivery of domestic animal health services in remote communities in the Northwest Territories: A case study of status and needs

Ryan K Brook  1 , Susan J Kutz, Caroline Millins, Alasdair M Veitch, Brett T Elkin, Ted Leighton
Affiliations

Evaluation and delivery of domestic animal health services in remote communities in the Northwest Territories: A case study of status and needs

Ryan K Brook et al. Can Vet J. 2010 Oct.

Abstract
in English, French

Domestic animal health services are supplied to communities in Canada's Northwest Territories (NT) in diverse ways, including private veterinary practices in 2 of 33 communities, and by mail-order, fly-in, free clinics, and a government-coordinated lay vaccinator program in some of the other 31 communities. We evaluated delivery, needs, and potential uptake of domestic animal health services in the Sahtu Settlement Area, NT by offering free clinics for 225 dogs in 2008 and 2009; and administered questionnaires to 42 dog owners and 67 students in 2008. Owners indicated that 20% of dogs were neutered, 37% had had rabies vaccinations, and 29% had been dewormed. Physical examination of dogs demonstrated that 54% were "thin" and 4% were "emaciated." Owners and youth showed a range of attitudes toward dogs and supported improved domestic animal health services. Future services need to build on existing programs and collaborate with communities to ensure relevance, ownership, and sustainability.

Évaluation et prestation de services de santé aux animaux domestiques dans les collectivités éloignées des Territoires du Nord-Ouest : Une étude de cas sur la situation et les besoins. Des services de santé aux animaux domestiques sont fournis aux collectivités dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest (T.-N.-O.) du Canada de diverses manières, incluant des pratiques vétérinaires privées dans 2 des 33 collectivités ainsi que par la poste, des services livrés par voie aérienne, des cliniques gratuites et un programme de vaccinateurs non spécialistes coordonné par le gouvernement dans quelques-unes des 31 autres collectivités. Nous avons évalué la prestation, les besoins et la mise sur pied potentielle de services de santé aux animaux domestiques dans les établissements de la région de Sahtu des T.N.-O. en offrant des cliniques gratuites pour 225 chiens en 2008 et en 2009 et en administrant des questionnaires à 42 propriétaires de chiens et à 67 étudiants en 2008. Les propriétaires ont indiqué que 20 % des chiens étaient stérilisés, que 37 % avaient été vaccinés contre la rage et que 29 % des chiens avaient subi un traitement de vermifugation. L’examen physique des chiens a démontré que 54 % étaient «maigres» et que 4 % étaient «émaciés». Les propriétaires et les jeunes ont manifesté un éventail d’attitudes envers les chiens et appuyaient des services de santé améliorés pour les animaux domestiques. Les services futurs doivent être établis autour de programmes existants et en collaboration avec les collectivités afin d’assurer la pertinence, la prise en charge et la viabilité.

(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A high school student from the Sahtu Settlement Area, in the Northwest Territories assists with surgery on a dog during the 2009 Community Health Rotation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A notice that was posted in a Sahtu community in 2009 indicating important concerns related to dogs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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