Dottie Atwater

If they are not performing regular quality control tests on their equipment, the results are very likely to be incorrect. I posted to give information, and it's up to each individual to take it or leave it.

I don't know the answer. You could quiz the lab about what quality controls they use regarding testing for animals and how often the run them--and hope they tell the truth. One way to be sure is to take the results and a new blood sample to Dixon Laboratorio to compare results. Extra expense, yes, but Dixon Laboratorio is very reasonable in cost, and if one person in Boquete does that, he/she can share the information with others. Inaccurate blood test results can be devastating. Better safe than sorry.

Yesterday I learned critical information from Manuel Dixon, the owner of Dixon Laboratorio in David: that he is the ONLY accredited veterinarian laboratory in Chiriqui. Before my conversation with Manuel, I thought a blood test is a blood test. Wrong! Dixon Laboratorio runs expensive quality control tests once a week that labs in veterinary clinics do not. Without regular quality control testing, incorrect results are almost a guarantee. Medications based on incorrect blood test readings will be ineffective and harmful, for example when an animal is given unnecessary antibiotics. Or even deadly--for example, if an animal is given insulin based on an incorrect diagnosis of diabetes. Bad news! Manuel gave a recent example: A woman had had a blood test of her dog at a veterinary clinic in David, and medication was prescribed and sold to her. When her dog did not improve, she then took a blood sample to Dixon Laboratorio along with the results of the first test. The (correct) results at Dixon Laboratorio were completely different from the tests done at the veterinary clinic. The woman was angry at the veterinary clinic for the expense involved to render an incorrect blood analysis, plus unknowingly giving her dog improper medication. One veterinary clinic in David repeatedly gives an incorrect diagnosis of ehrlichia (tick fever), thus resulting in harmful and unnecessary medication being given to the dog. I have no affiliation with Dixon Laboratorio except as a grateful client. Their contact is 777-0481. Manuel is a kind man who speaks perfect English. (His technicians do not.) And the costs are very reasonable. The lab in David is very easy to find. I can give directions. Dixon Laboratorio also does tests for humans, agriculture, water. They are expanding and will soon include tests for biohazard substances, using positive pressure personnel suits and a segregated air supply room. Attached is a list of possible tests I've compiled for dogs. I intend to have some extensive tests done for two of mine. I discussed the attached list with Manuel and he gave me the proper vials for the tests I wish to have. At our next spay/neuter clinic (April 23), I am going to practice, practice, practice drawing blood from a dog's vein so I can do it myself. So if any of you (in the Volcan area) need blood tests for your dog, get the correct vials from Manuel (free) and I can (probably) draw the blood for you. No charge, of course. I am happy to help whenever I can. Dottie - 6517-8752 Blood Tests for Dogs.odt

Well, that is still high compared to The Box Shop in David at $2.50 per lb. Great service there, too.

Thanks, Bud. Is MultiBank on the same street as the Cable & Wireless main office, The Box Shop, etc? (Obviously I don't know where many places in David are...only the places I go to regularly.)

Does anyone know how to contact ASEP? Thanks.

I have had fluctuating electrical power for WEEKS. I've called Rodny to report it; don't even remember how many times. Union Fenosa has so far done nothing about it. Or at least nothing to solve the problem. (Not long ago Rodny said they were having the same problem in their area, but today said it is much better.) My situation right now is not as bad, but that may be because there has been no wind for the last few days.

ACODECO is worthless. I filed a denuncia against a hotel in Santa Fe in July of 2014 for refusal to give the jubilado discount. I received a resolution from ACODECO in December of 2014, stating that I was to be refunded $138.38 from Coffee Mountain Inn and they were to be fined in the amount of $200. Have I ever received my refund? Nope, after numerous time-consuming visits to ACODECO, each time with them saying they would call me, I finally gave up. That leads me to believe that Coffee Mountain Inn was never fined either.

March 19, 2017 - 44 animals were spayed/neutered on this date. See http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/103rd.html Dr. Tello sterilized 24 dogs and 20 cats. Of the dogs, 20 were female and 4 were male. Of the cats, 16 were female and 4 were male. This brings our total of dogs and cats sterilized to 3,843. Additional procedures included: complicated and lengthy removal of three big tumors from dogs; three pregnant cats; one pregnant dog; and the necessity to put down a dog that had advanced cancer. Alex Rios, a young man who is one of our volunteers, does a great job cleaning the teeth of dogs. He cleaned the teeth of five dogs today. Volcan dentist Dr. Ben-Hur Sinclair came to visit the clinic today. He observed Alex and said he did a very good job. If your dog has already been sterilized or will be on clinic day, you can make an appointment to have the dog's teeth cleaned. The cost is $25 for cleaning, with additional cost if extractions are necessary. Our next clinic will be on April 23rd. Call right away for an appointment because the clinics fill up fast. As always, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the clinic: Dr. Andres Tello, our wonderful volunteers, donors of funds or food and drinks, and to everyone who brought their animals to be sterilized. Big hugs, Dottie

For Sassy Blake: Would you please ask you contact to bring back the McCormick pure vanilla extract to the David store? It disappeared a LONG time ago. I myself will buy 10 bottles if I see it again, to be prepared for when it again disappears.

February 19th, 2017 - 48 animals were spayed/neutered by Dr. Andres Tello, our wonderful veterinarian. He also performed several exams and removed a venereal tumor from a female dog. To date we have sterilized 3,799 dogs and cats. http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/102nd.html See the link on the web page for the photo album of pictures taken during the clinic. 16 dogs and 6 cats were either last-minute cancelations or no-shows, which is deplorable. We will implement a new procedure in the future. Dogs or cats to be sterilized that have other issues (in heat, pregnant, tumors, hernias, amputations, etc.) require more time. When those animals are interspersed during the day, people who have animals for sterilization only have to wait too long. Therefore, animals with additional issues will be scheduled toward the end of the day. (Thanks to Andrea Gonella for the suggestion.) Our next clinic will be on March 19, 2017. Please call for an appointment right away. The clinics fill up rapidly. Thanks to everyone who participated in our clinics today, and to those who had their pets sterilized. Always remember that TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Dottie

I've been using The Box Shop for quite some time and I'm very pleased...plus they save me a ton of money! $2.50 per lb. plus $.50 to get each package from PC to David. He always sends an email in both English and Spanish advising me when a package arrives, the weight of it, and how much I owe. Dario Samudio, the owner, speaks perfect English. I have occasion to go to David frequently enough anyway, so it's no problem to stop by The Box Shop and get my package(s) whenever it's convenient for me. There is a package receiving place right in Volcan, but the cost is $4.75 per lb. Ouch! info@boxshopdavid.com, www.boxshopdavid.com. 730-1041 Dario's personal cell phone is 6799-4595.

I wasn't being critical necessarily, just musing out loud.

I don't understand why so many people want to abandon their "beloved dogs" instead of taking the dogs with them when they leave. In this case, I understand that he has had a life-changing event, but it seems that beloved dogs would be a comfort in sad times.

Beginning March 1st for only two months. They will pay for food and provide the dog's crate and blanket where he likes to sleep at night. Friends in Boquete rescued this dog from an Indio. They tended a wound in the dog's leg and had him neutered. He went from a terrible life to a good life. The dog is apparently deaf. He is a hound...and of course howls. They have to return to the states for two months and they're at their wit's end about finding care for their beloved dog during that time. Can you help? 6517-8752 Dottie

Roper (Whirlpool)...older, made when they were made to last! $150. Excellent condition. Not long ago I replaced the belt. That's the only thing it has ever needed. Reason for selling: I have tons of laundry with dog blankets for my 18 dogs' crates plus blankets after the clinics, so I bought an extra-large-capacity washing machine (18 kg). Therefore, I needed an extra-large dryer. Call to arrange to see it. I am in Volcan. Dottie - 6517-8752

Can anyone recommend a good dentist in David? If so, please give contact information. Thanks. (Some people have recommended Dr. Spiegel in the past, but neither he nor his son work in their David office now.)

Thank you, Marcelyn! Come visit!

After a welcome rest in December, we happily resumed the clinics on January 22nd. Dr. Tello sterilized 44 animals, which brings our total to 3,751. We would have had 18 more animals today, except 9 dogs and 9 cats were either last-minute cancellations or no-shows. See the web page at http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/101st.html If you'd rather just see the photo album, the link is https://www.flickr.com/photos/panama_expat/sets/72157677863139431 We had a long but fairly uneventful day, except for two animals. One female dog had a venereal tumor. She had been spayed at our clinics three or four months ago, so obviously she was infected at the time and the tumor continued to grow. And one little dog, who had been bred many times, had a huge infected uterus filled with pus. She had had no obvious adverse symptoms but she soon would have died if she had not been spayed today. Besides preventing the suffering due to overpopulation, these are just two more reasons to sterilize both males and females before sexual maturity. Shortly before this clinic, someone asked me if I dread the clinics or look forward to them. My immediate reply was that I look forward to them. Helping so many animals--and their owners/guardians--is very heartwarming, not only to me but to our Dr. Andres Tello and to all of our volunteers. I consider it a privilege to be able to serve the animals and my community in this way. It is also very heartwarming to see so many youngsters bringing their pets. Education starts with the children! Dottie

Powermate 7000 Watt, Honda gasoline engine, manual start, model PM0497000. $990. Perfect for those “no-electricity” times. A little over a year ago I paid $1,262.59 including tax. It's an excellent generator that will run everything in my house: 2 chest freezers, 3 refrigerators, computers, lights, my 220-volt water pump, etc; the only problem is that I can't start it myself. When the electricity goes off and my employee is not here, I'm out of luck! It has been run only a total of about 15 hours; except we do start it regularly for a few minutes as is recommended. Now I have a push-button electric start generator, so here's your opportunity to get an almost new generator at a bargain price. It is in perfect condition. Call me for an appointment to come check it out. I am in Volcan. Dottie - 6517-8752

This reply is not a "foster solution" but an idea. I am "fostering" a dog (that apparently I will keep).He wandered to the clinic in October and we sterilized him. He had a wide bloody wound around his neck. He had been tied with a wire and obviously worked at it for a long time in order to get loose. He was fearful but not aggressive toward humans. Freddie is in a place separate from my other dogs. Any time one of them would go near his fence, he would growl. Finally my employee and I would take him on a leash out with the other dogs for 10 minutes or so every day. He was afraid, tucked his tail, and growled when one came near him. Finally, though, he became comfortable around them. We are still doctoring Freddie every morning for a couple of issues; when we finish, Freddie is eager to go with the other dogs. Just an idea to acclimate the dog with other dogs...

Thanks! I had not even thought to look at PriceSmart.

Does anyone know where to find plain clear ammonia without the detergent stuff added? Thanks for any info. Dottie

I've tried the Bach Rescue Remedy and it didn't do a thing to relieve the trembling and shaking.

I don't know. Mine came from Amazon. But it might be available locally.