Friendicoes November 2023 Report

Below is the November report from AAA’s partner group, Friendicoes, in India:

Kedarnath Mules Veterinary Treatment camp continued in the month of November although due to Diwali the number of pilgrims and mules lessened. 

* 2 week treatment camp.

* Workshop with Equine owners- Common problems and solutions.—

* Emergency treatments if anything goes wrong on the trek up or down.

Main problems:

—* Colic and other related stomach issues

—* Back / Saddle sores, abcesses on under belly flanks and shoulders

—* Lameness (Foot punctures) injuries of hoof

—* Indigestion- Worm load

—* Other wounds due to collisions with metal materials and sharp edges

—* Eye injuries

—* Respiratory infections

Colic:

—* Foreign body ingested.

—* Frequent lying down and getting up, unable to urinate and defecate.

—* Pain killer given to stabilize the animal.

—* On rectal palpation, foreign body felt.

—* Repeated enema given and plastic bags were taken out literally by hand.

Backsore (saddle injury):

—* Improper padding, loose saddle, hill track that is uneven, all combine to lead to sore backs and wounds.

—* Wound cleaned with antiseptics and dressed.

—* Antibiotics, pain killer and tetanus vaccine given.

Abscess:

—* Abscess on withers.

—* Severe painful swelling.

—* Abscess opened up and all its content drained out.

—* Cleaned with antiseptics, betadiene gauze kept inside.

—* Antibiotics, pain killer and tetanus vaccine given.

Lameness:

—* Most common problem.

—* Main cause of lameness was Foot punture (Hoof abscess). Because of rocks and muddy area.

—* Pain killer and teanus vaccine given.

—* Opened abscess dressed with antiseptics and covered with bandages.

Indigestion / Wormload:

—* Indigestion, emaciated animals

—* Deworming done

—* Supplements given

But there is no way to ensure regular or nutritious feed as costs are very very high and although the owners earn well, these 6 to 7 months earnings have to suffice them for the entire year. The casualty is of course the animal and its needs.

Ear Tag wounds:

* After tag application, care is not taken. There is a peculiar tendence of owners to drag the mules by holding an ear

—* Leads to infection / injury.

—* Wound cleaned with antiseptics and dressed.

—* Tetanus vaccine and pain killer given.

—* The tag is required for insurance purposes and for identification.

Rescue Pony:

—* Pony rescued from meerut a town about 90 kms away.

—* Severe lacerated wound on back.

—* Owner unable to take care, surrendered the animal.

Pony rescued from Nizamuddin area in New Delhi:

—* Abandoned pony rescued from Nizamuddin area.

—* Quite lost and bewildered also elderly and starving!

Pony recued from Agra where our mobile clinic runs:

—* Abandoned pony rescued from agra.

—* Severe lacerated wound on shoulder.

—* Probably in an accident and couldn’t be worked so left to wander around and sustain itself.