A hard act to follow.

In the Esther Honey Clinic, a facility staffed by a constantly changing crew of volunteers, the clinic director is the one constant. They are the recognizable face of the organization in the community; the chief administrator of the hospital; the guardian of the house pets; and the answer to all problems for the volunteers. Which makes it darned inconvenient when they run away to Canada for three weeks.

The (temporary) departure of our chieftain left us with some big shoes to fill (… or, more accurately, big jandals- such is pacific island life). And so this week I found myself the substitute director, with full responsibility for six volunteers, thirty-odd animals and the operations of only veterinary service in the Cook Islands. Rather ironic considering that until now I’d cleverly managed to dodge any other real form of responsibility (permanent employment, home ownership, children and the like).

My new role, I have discovered over the past seven days, involves an irritating amount of paperwork … something that, like most true vets, I don’t have a great  amount of patience for. Who wants to be sitting at a computer when you could be out with the animals after all? Sadly however, the work must be done. A myriad of minor details, necessary to the operation of any organization, conspired to fill my days. The errands and emails and a seemingly endless ‘to-do’ list … all those little facets of the foundation that I’d never really noticed until it became my job to attend to them.

I think I realized I was a little over management duties when the chance to attend to an after-hours emergency made my evening one night; or perhaps it was when I snuck out to go and wrestle a pig in the mud rather than wrestle with more paperwork. My background as a mixed practice vet fortunately provided an escape whenever farm animals arrived at the clinic … Bilbo the billy-goat even got me into surgery one day when a nasty dog attack necessitated a leg amputation. Happily Bilbo is now doing well and slowly destroying our hedges with his appetite.

So with one week down, I’m happy to report the clinic is still standing, the animals are still alive, the volunteers are still working hard, and with any luck our esteemed clinic director is enjoying his holiday. Fingers crossed for the next two weeks …

Mangaia Vet Trek V

Day 5- Homeward bound

On our last Mangaian morning, before our return to the big smoke of Rarotonga, we met with our local team of assistants and organizers for a final, farewell, pre-flight breakfast. There were rounds of thanks from all and sundry- including the Mangaian island secretary, the Ministry for Agriculture, and the Mayor- all of which were heartfelt and heartwarming. It’s not often you get so much recognition and appreciation for simply doing your job, and it’s got to be one of the most rewarding aspects of taking part in a vet-trek such as this. The large turn-out for our farewell was particularly gratifying … given that most of our co-workers had stayed up into the wee morning hours the night before, drinking, singing and socializing with us to celebrate a successful week’s work!

As it turned out, our farewell was slightly pre-emptive, with the news coming halfway through breakfast that our flight had been delayed by 3hrs. No mention as to the reason for the delay … we could only hope optimistically that the poor, battered emergency exit wasn’t taking another hit …

So with some time to kill we headed for the coast for a bit of R&R, and perhaps a bit of reflection about our time on the island. From the first it was apparent that life on Mangaia was very laid back … almost to the point of unconsciousness at times. The helter-skelter pace of the modern world has yet to reach here (although a little sadly, Coca Cola has); and with a diminishing population things are unlikely to change any time soon. While many residents have left the island to pursue work or training, those that remain are incredibly friendly, welcoming and generous- if our experiences are anything to go by. One of our best afternoons was spent exploring the island on loaned motorbikes, checking out the shipwreck, lake, rock-pools, look outs and many abandoned homes … Incidentally, if you ever wish to learn how to ride a bike in one slightly long, challenging lesson, I can recommend a circuit of Mangaia’s back roads …

Participating in this vet-trek has been amazing, it allowed us to experience a place few non-Mangaians ever get to, and gain an insight into the island way of life. Those of us fortunate enough to have taken part have surely got as much (if not more) out of the past 5 days as any of the locals or animals. As we eventually boarded our plane for the journey back to a place where donuts, corned beef and taro are not the only staple foods, we tried to hold on to a little of the islander outlook. And as the pilots propped up the windshield cover and brought out the laptop (their newspaper having already been borrowed), we tried even harder …

Vet-Trek totals:

45 animals desexed

102 pigs and goats treated for worms

164 animals treated in total

Mangaia Vet Trek IV

Day 4- Island explorations

For our last day of work on Mangaia the focus was on farm animals, our trip after all being sponsored by the Ministry for Agriculture. So while Jo and Olivia finished off the last of the desexing operations, Gregg and I, along with a team of enthusiastic assistants, headed out to castrate a pig. Now, pig castration is not normally a big job. But then it is also normally performed on wee little piglets … whereas our patient today was at least 70kg and easily twenty times the size of any pig I had previously castrated. But what’s life without a little excitement? Happily, our combination of sedation, local anaesthetic and manpower worked like a treat and before too long mr pig was back rooting around, we were back on the road, and the owner was heading out back to commit a pair of over-sized testicles to the grave.

The rest of the day was dedicated to training the ministry staff in the administration of pig and goat de-worming treatments. So, after a lesson on how to estimate doses, draw up the drug, and give injections safely it was time to put the team to work (under careful supervision of course) … Thus followed a fairly entertaining session where everyone encouraged and egged each other along to see who was the best at giving injections. While the majority of the repartee was incomprehensible to us in maori, the smiles and enthusiasm were plain to see, and by the end of the experience everyone seemed confident and competent in the basic procedures.

Perhaps the best part of all the farm animal work we’ve done on this vet trek, at least from a traveler’s perspective, was that it took us off the beaten track and out into the places that normally only the locals go. The scenery and landscapes of Mangaia are amazing- from the coast to the interior, the tangled jungle and taro swamps, the cliffs and caves … each winding, slippery, narrow track took us someplace unique and different. That’s not to say that all were idyllic- there were some mud wallows that I’m sure have left a permanent red stain on our skin; and other swamps so heavily infested with mosquitoes that if you stood still for 5 seconds you had at least 5 bites, and I’m quite sure if you stood still for a few hours you would quite conceivably faint from blood loss. But such troubles fade into insignificance when compared to the incredible island that we’ve been fortunate enough explore and experience, and the wonderful locals who have shown us around.

Day 4 tally-

3 female cats, 3 male cats, 1 female dog, 1 male dog and 1 male pig all de-sexed

15 pigs and 14 goats treated for worms and fleas (in addition to the surgical cases)

Mangaia Vet Trek III

Day 3- Working all day long

Having established and streamlined our surgical system yesterday, starting operations this morning was a breeze. As our patients arrived at the veranda, our marvelous clinic director had their details recorded often before anyone else realized they were there. Our surgical routine then consisted of:

• A quick health check followed by a sedative injection, after which we had 15min to ready the surgical equipment as the patient got progressively more sleepy

• A second injection to induce full anaesthesia, which generally lasted long enough for us to prepare the surgical site, perform the operation and stitch-up

• Anti biotic and pain-killer injections and then a final needle to reverse the anaesthetic … 20min later the patient was generally ready to walk away

Working in this manner we could have 2 or 3 surgeries happening simultaneously, and several other patients in varying stages of sedation or recovery. In amongst all the hustle and bustle, it was important we didn’t forget the most critical procedure (well, aside from the actual surgery), which was the placement of a very stylish ‘E’ tattoo in the left ear of each patient. This is not, as you may think, the latest gang tattoo, but rather a way of permanently identifying animals that have been de-sexed so that future Vet Trek-ers don’t have to go around peering and groping at animal’s private parts to check.

Helping us achieve our morning surgery count of 15 were a group of local volunteers who we trained up as assistants- able to pass sterile supplies to the surgeons, give injections, clean instruments and so on. Having so many willing hands was a great asset, and allowed the operations to flow quickly and consistently. It was also really heartening, as the first vets here in over a year and a half, to see such interest and enthusiasm from the locals. The number of people coming in for a look, to ask questions or offer assistance, was amazing and is perhaps the best demonstration of how much the Vet Treks are appreciated by the community.

Having whizzed through the small animal procedures in the morning, the afternoon was given over to large animal work with the team dividing in two and heading out to treat pigs and goats for worms. Returning to our accommodation at the end of a long day, everyone was ready for a bit of R&R … but, sadly, the surgical drapes still needed washing and the equipment still needed sterilizing … and to make matters worse we’d managed to leave the lid of our pressure cooker (essential for preparing the kits for tomorrow) behind- inside the locked meeting hall. Several phone calls, a couple of false trails and a guided motorcycle tour later we eventually obtained a key to the building from the lovely ex-mayor. A short ride to collect the lid and then a long evening of pressure cooking and we were finally ready for tomorrow.

Day 3 tally-

5 female cats, 3 male cats, 4 female dogs, 3 male dogs all de-sexed

21 pigs, 32 goats, and 2 cats treated for worms and fleas (in addition to the surgical cases)

One consult to check a goat’s swollen udder, and one euthanasia for a cat with in-operable cancer

Mangaia Vet Trek II

Day 2- Earning our keep

The team awakened this morning refreshed, ready and raring to go. It’s amazing how good an uninterrupted night’s rest feels, when barking dogs have been plaguing your sleep for the past week … but then such are the joys of living on-site at a veterinary clinic.

Ignoring the dismal weather, we made our way bright and early to the local meeting hall where to our surprise we found animals and helpers already waiting for us … at 8am!! This must truly be a record in outer island life. Setting up our surgical ‘theatre’ took no time at all, and before you could blink twice the operations were underway.

Working in the outer islands is an experience all of its own … it’s an improvised, rapid fire, spectator sport. With three vets participating in this Vet Trek, things are even more hectic than usual. I’m sure that at times our makeshift hospital bore a distinct resemblance to a war time MASH unit … patients strewn (carefully) all over the ground; surgeons working speedily on a discarded office desk, local residents drafted into duty- scrubbing instruments and watching over recovering patients. It’s slightly chaotic, but very productive … as proven by our lunch time surgical count of 16.


In the afternoon the team split up- Jo and Olivia continued operations in the surgical suite, while Gregg and I headed out into the wilds to treat some more livestock. Braving the elements, Gregg showed true chivalry joining the locals in the back of the pick-up, leaving the (slightly drier) front seat to me. Returning from de-worming two goats in the Ivirua Swamp (a surprisingly scenic locale) the muddy incline of the track conspired against us, setting the wheels of the pick-up spinning. Multiple attempts and a bit of man-power later, we eventually topped the hill … as it turns out, actually engaging the four-wheel drive helps tremendously …

Packing up the clinic at the end of the day, we were pleased with our efforts and satisfied that today at least, we had justified our trip here. As for justifying all the donated donuts we’ve eaten … well that might take a little more work!

Day 2 tally-

5 female cats, 5 male cats, 5 female dogs, 8 male dogs all de-sexed

1 pig, 4 goats, 3 cats and 5 dogs treated for worms and fleas (in addition to the surgical cases)

One consult to check a dog’s lump, and one euthanasia for a cat with in-operable cancer

Michelle Gray

Mangaia Vet Trek

Day 1- Champing at the bit

There are some weeks when Monday-itis presents a seemingly insurmountable barrier. A busy weekend, a large sleep debt, and the thought of a whole week of work ahead can make even getting out of bed a mammoth effort. Happily, today was not one such Monday. The prospect of a week in Mangaia (southern most of the Cook Islands and one of the oldest in the pacific), taking part in the latest Esther Honey Foundation Vet Trek was more than ample motivation for an early start.

Winging our way across the wind-tossed seas with bags and boxes, cat traps and a slightly cranky cat, we owed a significant debt to Air Rarotonga for not questioning our rather preposterous amount of excess baggage. Slight trepidations about a troublingly well used emergency exit and some moderate turbulence were assuaged by the captain, who seemed more interested in the happenings in the local paper than in any impending aircraft catastrophe.

Landing on the paddock-come-airstrip, enthusiasm levels were running high amongst the team. But we soon learnt that island life moves at its own pace. A tea break preceded a leisurely visit to our surgery-to-be, after which it was time for a lunch break. A hectic afternoon schedule saw us chatting to some locals before an ‘official’ presentation I was called upon to give to a group of trainees from the Ministry of Agriculture. Talking about pig and goat husbandry and health care during prime island siesta time, I had a slight paranoia that audience might fall asleep on me. Fortunately, a lovely supportive lady in the front row (who I suspect was just there for the company) helped me along with many encouraging nods and smiles, and all was well in the end.

By the time the presentation finished and the chat wrapped up, certain members of the veterinary team were champing at the bit to do some actual veterinary work. Consequently an offer to go out and de-worm a dozen pigs was accepted with alacrity. Heading out, we should perhaps have considered the prevailing weather conditions, as the mission soon degenerated into the veterinary equivalent of mud wrestling. Slipping and sliding, grasping and grabbing, our enthusiasm eventually prevailed and there were smiles all round as we headed back to our accommodation to wash the mire off ourselves.

Day 1 tally-

12 pigs and 3 goats treated for worms.

Michelle Gray

Waging war against new tick

May 4 2011

The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to wage a war of eradication against the brown dog tick that recently landed on Rarotonga.

The livestock section of the ministry is now awaiting advice from the Fiji-based Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) veterinary clinic on how to manage the blitz.

Esther Honey Foundation (EHF) director Gregg Young said he first noticed the tick about three weeks ago when a dog living at his Nikao clinic brought it home from the beach.

Young contacted Natural Heritage Trust director Gerald McCormack, who instructed him to collect a sample. He did, and McCormack later identified the specimen as a brown dog tick.

About a week and a half ago, EHF volunteers were conducting a census and found brown dog ticks covering a litter of about seven puppies belonging to an Arorangi family.

The volunteers sprayed the puppies with a liquid flea treatment, effectively extinguishing the ticks. “But if the tick is there (in Arorangi) and on my dog as well, it’s probably anywhere in between,” Young said.

Agriculture’s chief livestock officer Tiria Rere has contacted SPC, which agreed with McCormack’s deduction that the insect is in fact a brown dog tick.

The veterinary clinic in Fiji then sent the information about the Rarotonga tick to an expert entomologist in Guam.

Rere says the Guam laboratory will confirm or reject the identification, which will open the floor for SPC veterinarians to advise the Ministry of Agriculture on how best to eradicate or fight the tick.

In the meantime, Rere says his staff will be investigating the tick’s origins.

They are interested in the answers to questions about whether a tick-ridden dog was imported or if its owner or even its owner’s neighbour recently travelled overseas.

“My staff will be trying to trace back to the (source) of the problem.”

Rere says his office’s primary concern is that the tick could spread to livestock that humans consume.

While the brown dog tick is not known to spread bacterial disease in places like Australia and Samoa, it has carried spotted fever in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Asia.

“But who knows what we have here – we have the tick and we don’t know where it came from,” Young said.

Rere says he is committed to eradication of the tick, and prefers that approach over a curative approach that involves simply treating infected animals.

“We have to try and get rid of it but if we can’t then we can only try and minimise the problem,” Rere said.

As Agriculture awaits word from Fiji, Young encourages people who notice ticks in their pet’s fur to have them treated at EHF. - Rachel Reeves

Report on PICES meeting, Ministry of Marine Resources, Rarotonga.



28th April 2011

Attended by: Gregg Young, Eilidh Hawkins & Michelle Gray

Following an informal meeting with members of the Harmful Algae Bloom PICES project the Esther Honey Foundation were invited to give a short presentation at the next day’s PICES group meeting on our experience of ciguatera toxicosis. PICES is the North Pacific Marine Science Organization and the work in the South Pacific is funded by the Japanese government.

The aim of this meeting was to share knowledge between various groups and communities affected by ciguatera poisoning and work towards a monitoring strategy for three specific Pacific nations (the Cook Islands, Kiribati and Samoa). The meeting was attended by representatives of the Cook Island Ministry of Marine Resources; two oceanographers from North American Universities (Charlie and William); a Samoan senior Marine Officer; a PhD student (Teina); a local medical doctor and ourselves.

Presentations were given on a number of aspects of ciguatera, including the effect of climate change; appropriate cost effective monitoring; incidence of human fish poisoning cases and more specifically the past monitoring practices in Rarotonga. The Samoan representative also gave an interesting talk which highlighted the differences between Rarotonga and Samoa. Most notably Samoa seemed to have more established monitoring practices and a much lower incidence of fish poisoning in their human population. Unfortunately Samoan animal data was not available. We gave a short presentation on our work with fish poisoning victims.

This meeting was a good opportunity to obtain other perspectives on the issue of ciguatera toxicosis as well as share our own experiences with regards to the companion animal population on Rarotonga. Future plans for the group include a training workshop in September to facilitate training of local (and Samoan and Karibati) scientists in affordable monitoring protocols.

New tick found on Raro dogs
Some Rarotonga dogs have contracted a new tick, but Esther Honey Foundation (EHF) veterinarian Eilidh Hawkins says it is ‘not something to be overly concerned about’.

A survey in the mid-1990s revealed that there were no ticks on Rarotonga, and EHF is currently doing another census to determine the prevalence of the recently-discovered tick.

Hawkins says the tick is ‘quite easily controlled’, and EHF can remove ticks and treat their bites.

“We have lots of treatments at the clinic – people can come in and we can sort them out with tick treatment. A lot of flea treatments will also cover ticks.”

She said that the brown dog tick generally does not spread diseases to people and has never been a proven carrier of Lyme disease.

Naturalist Gerald McCormack says the brown dog tick probably originates from northern Africa and is common throughout the tropics.

“Because it can complete its life cycle indoors it is also common in temperate areas,” McCormack said. “It is common in Queensland and New South Wales but absent from New Zealand, although it has been periodically intercepted in Auckland in cargo, luggage and clothing. In the Pacific Islands it is known from Fiji and Samoa, but not from French Polynesia.”

The brown tick prefers to live on dogs but will also feed on other mammals, including humans. It can carry bacterial disease canine ehrlichiosis, which is present in Samoa and Australia. And while it is not known to have transmitted diseases to humans in the US and Australia, it has spread Mediterranean spotted fever to people in the Mediterranean, north Africa and Asia.

The tick needs three blood meals to complete its life cycle – one as a larva, one as a nymph and one final feeding as an adult. It generally completes a life cycle in about ten weeks, but larvae and nymphs can go six months without a meal and adults can wait 18 months before feeding. Females can lay up to 4000 eggs. - Rachel Reeves