News Search

News

Vet clinic cares for MWDs, pets on Kadena

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lauren Snyder
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena has the only American military veterinary clinic on Okinawa to care for the island's armed forces' furry friends.

The Okinawa Veterinary Treatment Facility's primary mission is to provide support for more than 70 military working dogs living here on Okinawa.

"Working with the military working dogs is actually a lot of fun, and dangerous," said Capt. Kathy LeBert, U.S. Army Public Health Command, Japan District, Okinawa branch veterinarian. "They're very interesting dogs; they all have interesting personalities."

Most veterinarian support for the MWD is provided at the Kadena vet clinic, but veterinarians also go to all the military kennels across Okinawa to make sure the military-owned animals are given correct treatment and their kennels are in proper condition.

However, Kadena's vet clinic also supports all Status of Forces Agreement registered pets on the island for a total of approximately 9,000 animals, including the military working dogs.

"We are kept very, very busy," LeBert said. "I do like it; all the vets really like to work and we actually like to see our patients. Here, because we're busy and also have so many other people, I am able to be on the schedule and actually see patients more frequently."

Between MWD and pets, the Okinawa Veterinarian Facility sees approximately 400 animals per month. Pet owners find how busy the clinic is when trying to make an appointment.

"We are restricted by the size (of the facility), but basically we are supporting a bigger population than the number of vets here," LeBert said about the known issue of available appointments. "We've been trying to open our schedule a little bit more ahead. Before, we were only (scheduling) three weeks out, but we decided that we're going to open up a little further out. That will hopefully help."

Whether military working dog or privately owned pet, animals on Okinawa face some of the same health risks. Heartworm and snake bites can be prevented with situational awareness and medication. However, heat stress is the most probable health risk animals experience here.

"Heat stress is very, very important. Don't leave them in the car," LeBert said. "Even going outside, too; I don't walk my dog when the sun is up; I don't do it. I let him out for five to 10 minutes, at most 10 minutes, and then I bring him back in."

She strongly advises against daytime activity with your dog now when summer is in full swing and the temperature of the air and pavement are always high.

"You can walk them for maybe five to 10 minutes and let them use the bathroom but I would not exercise them," the veterinarian said. "Some dogs are overweight; they may need exercise, but because they are overweight they're actually even more prone to having heat stress. It can kill a dog very fast."

The high humidity on Okinawa makes heat even worse for dogs, because they don't have the ability to sweat. Even with precautions taken to avoid high temperatures, sometimes heat illness can still strike.

"A sign to look for is excessive panting," LeBert continued. "Dogs will pant because it's hot outside, but if they can't stop panting because it's not controlled, be careful with that. If people want to take the dog's temperature, anything over or close to 105, they should bring the dog indoors right away. Make sure they drink water, stop and walk slow, don't let them run, and control their walking. You can wet the dog down, especially in their footpads, and in the groin and armpit area. Just cool them down as much as possible."

Addressed immediately, heat stress can often be overcome. However, professional medical help may be required for cases of heat exhaustion.

"If they're looking like they're not cooling very well, or if they just plop down, call us and then bring them in, either to us, or to your closest veterinarian clinic," LeBert said. "It's not something you want to wait about. It doesn't have to be us, just bring them to your closest vet as soon as possible. Heat strokes can kill very, very fast."

The veterinary clinic strives to offer quality care for the American military community across the island.

"I love being on an island and foreign country, but it's so nice being able to walk in and easily communicate, because I'm not really good at Japanese," said Sammy Hicks, Kadena pet owner. "The staff here is really nice, and they are really easy with (my) dog, which makes a huge difference."

From routine preventative support such as offering flea and heartworm medications or giving vaccines, to surgeries and emergency care, the Okinawa Veterinary Treatment Facility works hard to provide SOFA members with the best care available for everyone's animal dependents.