By Rita Thiel
Dr. Laura Trent DVM, Ocracoke island’s veterinarian since February 2017, is setting her sails toward retirement and a new residence in western North Carolina.
Living on an island often means doing without needed resources and services in order to live “in paradise.”
Ocracoke has been fortunate these past seven years by having an on-island veterinarian who did not think twice about coming out to your house at any hour to treat your ill pet or to make a pet visit for homebound islanders.
No longer did we have to travel a long way to get medications, vaccinations or check-ups for Fido and Kitty. Chickens, pigs, horses, rabbits, and other critters were on her list of patients.
Even though Roanoke Island Animal Clinic graciously provides a fairly regular monthly veterinarian clinic on Ocracoke (usually the third Wednesday of the month), having an on-island veterinarian gave many people confidence that their pet could be treated and feel better soon, or at least be gotten out of pain until they could get up the beach for X-rays, surgery or more advanced treatment than could be given here.
Dozens of visitors sought Dr. Trent’s help with their pets each season, with ailments ranging from sand ingestion, salt-water ingestion, insect bites and sandspurs, to more serious concerns such as fishhook snags, dehydration, heart failure or strokes.
Dr. Trent gave her unwavering dedication and compassion to each pet and person who visited her. Clients were not declined because they couldn’t pay for her services. Her dedication to helping the animal and not making a quick buck was evident. What a great outlook.
Ocracats Inc., the nonprofit volunteer organization that spays, neuters, feeds and cares for the island community cats, has been fortunate to have Dr. Trent on the board of directors as the medical advisor.
Dr. Trent took on a multitude of responsibilities, from medically treating the injured, sick or dying Ocracats to neutering males and treating and fostering hundreds of Ocrakittens waiting for adoption.
Mother Nature has provided challenges for Dr. Trent.
“One of the most difficult situations is trying to save an animal and not being able to get off island,” she said. “There is nothing you can do if the weather or ferries aren’t cooperating.”
Certain procedures had to be strategically planned to get the materials off the island in a timely manner, especially blood draws.
Essential services on an island are a vital link in keeping the community thriving and comfortable.
A veterinarian is an essential service.
Hopefully another veterinarian will show an interest in Dr. Trent’s practice and living on an island (isn’t this ‘paradise’?) and come give Ocracoke a gander.
The island will miss its veterinarian.
Dr. Laura Trent’s tips for keeping animals safe and healthy:
- Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current.
- Even though there is a leash law prohibiting dogs running at large, some dogs are still running free. Don’t let your pet be euthanized because it bit someone and doesn’t have a current rabies vaccination. Get your pets vaccinated.
- Dogs, cats and cars don’t mix well.
- Prevention is key to keeping your pets safe from car accidents.
- Do not leave antifreeze anywhere your dog or cat can get to it, or any toxic, sweet smelling fluid that they will be tempted to drink. And definitely do not use rat poison anywhere. Too many dogs and cats are eating the poison bait and are dying or getting critically ill.
- Keep a first-aid kit ready for your pets: Some of the supplies you can include are a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide (cleaning wounds and vomiting), salt (mix a pinch with a syringe of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting), gauze (for cleaning and wound care), Neosporin (topical wounds), cortisol cream (insect bites), Benadryl (1 mg per pound for dogs and cats), diluted soap and water, buffered baby aspirin for DOGS only- never cats, Epsom salts (minor skin abscesses), cold pack (fever), hydrocortisone cream (hot spots), a flea comb or regular comb.
- NEVER give any acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin) to dogs or cats.
- Keep fishhooks clean and well secured.