1. TELECONSULTATION IN VPH
Fighting Zoonoses and Maintaining Public Health through Veterinary Care on São Vicente, Cape Verde

2. TELECONSULTATION IN VPH
Intro: who we are, what we do
Background: local policies
The challenge
The EU-cofinanced project
Why telemedicine?
Materials and methods
The results
Aknowledgments

3. SIMABÔ means “LIKE YOU”

4. 1. WHO WE ARE… Founded in 2008 by volunteers
In 2010, authorized to purchase medications by the Ministry of health
In 2013 recognized as an Organization of Public Utility
Since October 2014 in the list of the beneficiaries of Law no. 45/VI/2004 of

5. …WHAT WE DO
The only non-profit animal welfare organization based on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde
The only provider of veterinary services for animals living on the streets or with owners on low income.

6. 2. BACKGROUND: GOVERNAMENTAL POLICIES
Strychnine poisoning
Electrocuting
Starving
Opposed by the WHO because “elimination” is ineffective

7. 3. THE CHALLENGE
To control canine population density by reducing the reproductive index
More humane
More effective
Improves animal health and thus public health

8. THE 3 PILLARS
Surgical sterilization
Deworming
Rehoming

9. 4. The EU- COFINANCED PROJECT
The first, and to date, the only action of this kind co-funded by the European Union worldwide [under EuropeAid/130817/L/ ACT/CV (DCI-NSAPVD)]

10. FIGHTING STRAY DOGS ON SÃO VICENTE
A PILOT PROJECT FOR THE CAPEVERDEAN ISLANDS
(February January 2016)

11. THE PARTNERS 3 partners: SIMABÔ Centro Veterinario Monviso
University of Turin

12. THE OBJECTIVES To reduce the canine population of the island
To make abandoned animals more adoptable
To make strays safer companions for those people living on the streets
To start a canine registry

13. THE ACTIVITIES 10,000 dogs Neutering Microchipping,
Anti-parasitic treatment
Post-operative care
10,000 dogs

14. THE SENSIBILIZATION WORK
To protect the animals neutered under the project

15. 5. WHY TELEMEDICINE? Need to support remote lay staff in 4 main areas:
Evaluation of population dynamics
Post-operative care
Anti-parasitic regimes
Emergency care

16. THE SURVEYS (2012 and 2016)
To evaluate the long term consequences of surgical sterilization on population dynamic
Designed by the University of Turin
2 teams, in Cape Verde and in Europe
Direct and indirect techniques

17. THE PROTOCOLS Lack of local veterinarians Need to employ lay staff
Prepared by the doctors of Centro Veterinario Monviso, Italy.
Continuous update

18. THE STUDIES University of Turin Sample collection
Preventing Microsporum canis
Causing ringworm or tinea.
Significant public health importance

19. 6. MATERIALS AND METHODS A very limited list of pharmaceuticals
Protocols for the treatment of common conditions based on the principle “primum non nocere” (first, do no harm)
Tele-consultations with Dr. Raineri or her staff for difficult cases

20. THE TELECONSULTATIONS
With Dr. Raineri or her staff for difficult cases
Centro Veterinario Monviso available 24/7 via Skype or

21. 7. THE RESULTS
Remarkable improvement in the health of the canine population
Appreciable increase in public awareness of the importance of animal health.

22. THE SUCCESS 8387 spaying/neuternig operations (cats&dogs)
25% reduction in canine population density in 4 ys
From about 12,000 animals estimated in 2012 to less than 9000 in 2016

23. WHO’S GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTED
Veterinary Public Health (VPH) concept “The sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science” well and successfully applied

24. AKNOLEDGMENTS SIMABO thanks to
Centro Veterinario Monviso, Pinerolo (TO)
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Turin University
ZOHE E-HEALTH - Promoting Healthcare Through Knowledge, Research and Innovation, Pinerolo (TO)
Dr. Yvette Bell, DMV,
for their help and support.