TAHUCHA January 2024 Report

The Tanzania Humane Charity (TAHUCHA) extends it’s sincere appreciation to AAA donors for their keen support to help the imporvement of working donkey health and welfare in the Bukombe district.

During January 2024 the TAHUCHA team conducted 31 mobile clinic outreaches in 31 villages in which 1354 donkeys were attended and provided different interventions. Also 12 donkey education sessions were conducted and 86 donkey owners and users were educated about proper donkey humane practices.

The TAHUCHA team intervened with 63 cases of trypanosomiasis, 18 cases of bacterial infections, 17 cases of pains and exhaustion, 159 cases of worm infestation, 1 case of fluid therapy, 7 cases of colic, 5 case of dental problems, 9 cases of eye problems and 36 cases of hoof problems.

In addition to this, 885 donkeys were vaccinated against tetanus and the projects is ongoing with an aim to vaccinate 3000 donkeys in the Bukombe district.

The team found one particular donkey during a house visit after receiving a call from a donkey owner saying that his donkey had difficulty with defecation. On examination, we found the donkey had dry faeces and was experiencing intense pain. Our first course of action was to inject meloxicam as pain relief then we administered a laxative orally so as to soften the faeces and provide the donkey with relief. The team followed up regularly and continued until the donkey finally recovered .

 Another donkey was brought to the Sanctuary with lameness in the fore legs and a rough hair coat. This donkey had been attacked by a hyena. On examination it was additionally diagnosed with worm infestation and arthritis. The donkey was hospitalized at the sanctuary for 18 days and finally recovered although we advised the owner to rest the donkey for 3 months in order to restore it’s strength.