Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 4 (EMN): Dr. Elizabeth Yhome, veterinary surgeon from Veterinary Hospital Kohima, on the occasion of World Animal Day on Monday shared about basic rights of animals and its welfare standards.
"Animals are assets to our society, they do have feelings and emotions like human beings, therefore it is the responsibility of every human being to love, care and protect our animals and prevent cruelty abuses by hitting, starving and forcing animals to struggle and work," she said while addressing an awareness programme on animal healthcare.
She added that there were various ways to show love, care and compassion to alleviate their suffering by adoption of stray homeless animals, by providing shelter and food or by treating the injured, sick or diseased animals.
The Chief Veterinary Office, Kohima under the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services observed World Animal Day at Veterinary Dispensary Khuzama in Kohima.
On the occasion, a team of veterinary doctors along with interns and students organised an animal healthcare-cum-free anti-rabies vaccination.
It was informed that a total of 78 dogs received anti-rabies vaccine while free dewormer medicine/mineral mixture was distributed to 56 farmers. Seven animals including dogs and pigs were also brought in by the villagers to be treated.
Pedenuo Shuya, an intern at Veterinary Hospital Kohima, while emphasising on anti- rabies vaccination, informed that rabies is a zoonotic disease and it spreads from the bites, scratches and saliva of a rabid animal to other animals and even to human beings.
She maintained that so far there has not been any cure if a person or an animal develops rabies as "the outcome of this disease is death."
As such, Shuya explained that the only way to prevent the dreaded disease is through vaccination with rabies vaccine, while reiterating on proper and timely vaccination of pet animals with rabies vaccine which is a must.
Chomangpila, another intern from Veterinary Hospital Kohima, dwelling on biosecurity measures to be adopted by the livestock farmers, instructed them to be aware about the status and source of the animals.
She also reminded to wash one's hands thoroughly after handling livestock while all footwear to be disinfected before entering the animal shed to discourage visitors from entering the farms.
The intern also informed to report disease and dead animals to the nearest veterinary health centre to rule out any disease conditions.
Dziesevi Clement Vizo, a BV Sc final year student, speaking about the care management of livestock, said that the long axis of the farm should be north- south direction for getting maximum sunlight, while regular cleaning and disinfection of the farm should be practiced.
He also reminded about deworming and vaccinating the animals yearly while a summer feeding diet should contain oil or fat rich feeds to avoid heat stress.
Vizo also apprised how breeding of pigs for the first time should be done in the third heat to get the maximum litter size.
Khuzama village council members thanked the department for conducting the programme in a befitting manner while expressed hoped that the same would benefit the community about animal's basic rights, its welfare and also conservation of wild animals to uplift the economic status by proper care and management of livestock through correct biosecurity measures and vaccination of animals.