Veterinarians from the Ishikawa Veterinary Medical Association visited the affected areas in a bus equipped with medical equipment to provide free treatment for the animals. The mobile clinic is one of the few animal hospitals operating in the earthquake-damaged region of the Noto Peninsula.
The service has been in the north of the Noto Peninsula since January 28. The bus is equipped to take X-rays and perform blood tests.
On February 18, six vets set up shop in a corner of Wajima Junior High School, a designated evacuation center in Wajima City, to provide medical assistance.
Veterinarians check the symptoms, give advice and prescribe medicine. Tests were available for dogs with heart disease and other pre-existing conditions.
In previous trips, the vets had treated domestic animals that were sick due to the stress of a change in environment during the evacuation.
One pet owner said, “Pets heal me just by being by my side. I’m more concerned about my pet’s health than my own, so I’m very grateful for the help.”
The association said that many of the veterinary hospitals affected by the disaster are still unable to provide adequate care due to damage to their buildings and medical equipment. He says he will continue to offer the free clinic through March, mostly on weekends.
