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.
