Words of wisdom: Livestock dept shells out important advice

Official advises people to take precautionary measures when purchasing sacrificial animals

MULTAN: “People should get gloves and caps from officials before entering cattle markets,” said Livestock Department Focal Person Dr Majid on Tuesday.

The livestock department advised people to take precautionary measures while purchasing sacrificial animals for Eidul Azha.

Most citizens visit cattle markets once a year to purchase animals. They lack basic information about important features of an animal which can help you in determining their health, he expressed.



Citizens should scrutinise the hide for ticks or lice. If either are present, then people must ensure the animals are sprayed or injected before purchasing them. Further, citizens should also check the animal’s enclosure and check their urine and faeces. Only if both are normal, should they purchase the animal, he revealed.

The department also set up 21 pickets in Multan Division to spray the animals for ticks. Three pickets are in Multan, five in Khanewal, five in Lodhran and eight in Vehari, the official maintained. During the past few days, thousands of animals have been sprayed in these districts by officials, he said.



Majid added that the animal should be alert and active. He advised people to purchase animals in the day as opposed to at night. “During the day you are better able to assess the health of the creature. Also, make sure there is no swelling, inflammation or redness on the legs of the animals.”

Similarly, one should also keep an eye out for diarrhoea stains on the animal’s hide. There should be no eye secretions, no marks or lesions on the animal’s body, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2018.