Veterinary concerns: Doctors unable to handle four-legged patients

Many fear their animals will die and tried to get doctors to ‘treat’ them.

SADIQABAD:

Locals in Sadiqabad have complained that the local vet is only available in the district two-days a week. Several people have begun taking their animals to the local DHQ Hospital and have been trying to get doctor’s to examine the sick animals.

“There is only one vet and he is available at Manthar bungalow for only two days a week. Our animals are our bread and butter and dozens of cattle have fallen sick during the monsoon season,” said Rana Muhammad, a local trader.

Locals in the area said that cows, buffaloes and goats worth millions of rupees were dying due to infections caused by contaminated water and feed. “It is not uncommon for some animals to fall sick during the monsoon season as much of their feed is given to them while it is soggy,” said veterinarian Dr Sharif.

“I cannot be on call every day because I also visit surrounding districts that suffer the same problem. We need to have a vet for every district but there are not enough available resources,” he added.

Over the past month several locals said that they had begun taking their animals to the DHQ Hospital. “Doctors are doctors, regardless of whether they work on humans or animals.

If we wait a whole week our cows might die. That is why I have tied mine outside the hospital and I am trying to get someone to examine her,” said Sadiqabad resident Tahir Khan Lodhi.

Several doctors at the DHQ hospital said that they empathised with the people but could not treat the animals. “We have turned away dozens of people.

This hospital has a hard enough time dealing with patients and we cannot get doctors to begin examining cows and goats,” said the hospital administrator.

Residents said that there were very few veterinary dispensaries at union council levels and urged the Livestock Department to build new dispensaries in all major councils soon.

“This area is rich in fodder so many people raise livestock and are involved in farming. Their entire livelihood’s are on the line when their animals fall sick.

Many of them care more for the health of their cows than their own,” said trader Muhammad Ameen.

Residents said that there was no vet available in adjacent localities to Sadiqabad. “Many people have lost millions of rupees after their animals have died. Others have begun selling off their sick animals to butchers,” said Ameen.

Locals in Sadiqabad said that they had no choice but to pester the doctors, while Dr Sharif was away.

“If we wait even a few days the animals might get sicker and die. Then we will lose everything so we are here,” said Sameena Bibi, who has brought her cows and tied them near the DHQ hospital. “I am still trying to get a doctor to examine the animals,” she added.





Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2011.