Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Delivery of health and husbandry improvements to working animals in Africa.
- Journal:
- Tropical animal health and production
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Pearson, R A & Krecek, R C
- Affiliation:
- University of Edinbugh · United Kingdom
Plain-English summary
This research looks at how to improve the health and care of working animals, like oxen and horses, in Africa. Many owners of these animals struggle to access important information and services for keeping their animals healthy, such as vaccinations and nutritional support. The study discusses various health issues these animals face, including diseases spread by insects and worms, and emphasizes the need for better preventive care and local solutions, especially since many farms are far from veterinary help. Some organizations have been providing mobile treatment teams and training for those who care for these animals, and the research explores how to make these services more effective and sustainable. Overall, the findings suggest that improving access to care and education can significantly benefit the health of working animals.
Abstract
Problems have been identified in the delivery of extension messages about the maintenance of healthy and well-fed working animals. The different factors that need to be considered in developing effective disease control and prevention programmes for working oxen and equids including vector-borne diseases, helminth disease, and vaccination programmes have been reported and discussed and experiences in improving husbandry including footcare, harness, and worm management reported. Most draught animals are owned by people who lack the financial means to pay for or to access the information needed on nutritional supplements, vaccinations and drug treatment. Smallholder farms are often remote from veterinary services, thereby requiring greater emphasis on preventive measures and local remedies. Several NGOs have traditionally provided static and mobile treatment teams for equines and training courses for farriers and harness makers. The effectiveness and sustainability of these services and ways in which delivery of health care and husbandry messages could be delivered to improve impact are discussed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17682593/