Students of KKN-T IPB University Increase Pet Animals' Vaccination Awareness in Pet First Veterinary Centre in Kepong, Selangor Malaysia and To The Public.

We, a group of 3, students of KKN-T IPB University decided to conduct our KKN-T program at Pet First Veterinary Centre. Pet First Veterinary Centre is located in Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia. It consists of 6 veterinarians with one senior doctor specializing in bone surgeries. 

Vaccines save lives. It protects and prevents pets from many highly contagious and deadly diseases. Puppies and kittens are the most susceptible to infectious diseases. A series of vaccinations are scheduled usually with a 3 to 4 weeks interval when they are aged 6 weeks and above. There are three types of dog vaccines provided by Pet First Veterinary Centre, which are 6 in 1, 9 in 1 and 10 in 1. They also provide cat vaccine and rabies vaccine. 

The flyer designed by us 

During our whole KKN-T program in Pet First Veterinary Centre, we approached clients that were waiting in the waiting area in pairs. We explained a little about pet vaccination by providing them with a flyer on the importance of vaccination, risks of vaccination, types of vaccines and the types of disease prevention. After each short explanation to the clients, we will give them a questionnaire via google form either by scanning the QR code that we have prepared or by providing them the link personally. However, there are some clients that experienced difficulty in using their smartphones, hence, we came up with the idea to print out our questionnaire and allow them to fill it in manually by hand. 

Giving out flyers to clients 

Explaining vaccination to clients (personal documentation)

Besides targeting the clients in Pet First Veterinary Centre, we also spread vaccination awareness in pets to the public via Pet First Veterinary Centre social accounts such as Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petfirstveterinarycentrekepong/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/petfirstkepong). We posted some posts regarding pet animals' vaccination through our Instagram account, and we shared the account with the public through our own personal accounts from time to time throughout our whole KKN-T program. All these measures are done with the aim of spreading pet animals' vaccination awareness broader into the community. 

Besides spreading awareness on vaccination to the clients, we learned a lot from all the doctors at Pet First Veterinary Centre. We were given a chance to make our own peripheral blood smear, although most of the time it was unsuccessful. We helped out in the pharmacy by preparing the drugs prescribed by the doctors. We were also given the opportunity to observe a few surgeries done by different doctors, such as castration and ovariohysterectomy in cats and dogs, medial patella luxation surgery in Pomeranians, bone fractures, etc. Furthermore, we also helped out in the consultation room by assisting doctors with the patient during the evaluation of patient's health. We also get to assist with radiographs and observe ultrasonography. 

At Pet First Veterinary Centre, there were a few unvaccinated pets cases that we encountered throughout our program. There was one rescued kitten that suffered from ascites when it was first brought in. The doctor has diagnosed the kitten with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), however, due to the high FIP medical treatment charges, the owner decided to go with simple medications. Unfortunately, the kitten's condition worsened and the owner brought it back to the clinic. The kitten was put on drips and medicated, it did not survive after treatment. Besides that, there was one successful case, where a young dog diagnosed with parvovirus infection was admitted to the hospital and was cured after a few days of drips and treatments. There was also one old-aged dog, Gideon that was paralyzed cranially from its neck to the caudal of his body. The patient was then referred to another hospital to do an MRI. At the meantime, the dog was given acupuncture therapy with the aim to reduce his pain. After MRI, it appears that its 6th and 7th cervical bone were infected. However, no bacteria were found after the sample from its 6th and 7th cervical bone was tested. On his next visit, epiphora was observed and a few tests were done. He was tested Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) positive. Now, drips were given to him daily with acupuncture treatment with the aim to increase his recovery rate. 

Gideon under acupuncture therapy (personal documentation)

Special thanks to Dr. Ulum, our KKN-T supervisor and Dr. Teoh, our supervisor from Pet First Veterinary Centre for helping and guiding us throughout our whole program. We would also like to thank Dr. Kiew, the owner of Pet First Veterinary Centre for allowing us to conduct our program at Pet First Veterinary Centre and all the doctors and assistants in Pet First Veterinary Centre that helped and taught us throughout our whole program. 

Pictures with staffs (personal documentation)