BY ARTI DAS | NT NETWORK
Treating patients who are unable to express their pain in human language is tough for the veterinarians. The job requires immense patience, understanding and, most importantly, a love for animals.

That’s what the veterinary doctor does throughout his/her career. To commemorate their work and also to focus on the issues they face the World Veterinary Association established World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, falling on the last Saturday of April.
This year it will be celebrated today to raise awareness of the links between animal and public health through the theme “One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians.”
To venerate this day, the dean of the Bombay Veterinary College, Dr A Samad will speak on enlightening the role and responsibility of veterinary towards society at Nanutel hotel, Margao, today, 10 a.m. onwards. Also Dr Rajaram Naik, veterinary officer, DIU (Disease Investigation Unit), Tonca will speak on the risks and challenges of the veterinary profession in view of public health.
“This year’s theme speaks about the relation between veterinarians and physicians. Most of the times we require their assistance when we are treating our patients,” says Dr Gustav Pinto, veterinary officer at the Veterinary hospital, Tonca, Panaji.
He further added that some of the veterinary doctors regularly attend the CME programme conducted by Dr Wiseman Pinto at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. Giving some examples he mentioned that many-a-time they have taken expertise from various doctors. “We have taken help of Dr Afonso to conduct some rare surgeries, Dr Mahendra Kudchadkar’s assistance for some spinal injuries and also Dr Ruffino Monterio for ECG (Echo cardiogram),” confirmed Dr Pinto.
Speaking about the animal health scenario in Goa he expressed that it is much better compared to 10 years ago. “Earlier people were not even aware about animal doctors. Now we see lot of awareness, especially among pet owners and lovers,” added Dr Pinto. He also elaborated about the government hospital that is now well equipped with X-Ray, sonography machine and a state-of-the-art operation theatre.
“Here we mostly conduct hysterectomies (spaying). Also a lot of orthopaedic surgeries, bone grafting, kidney and intestinal surgeries, etc,” he confirmed.
Along with the government hospital, the International Animal Rescue Centre at Assagao also plays a commendable role in animal care. It is understood that Goa has a total of 120 veterinary doctors of which 75 work for various government departments like the veterinary hospital, Goa Meat Complex, Goa Dairy, etc. Experts believe that for a State like Goa this number is quite sufficient.
However, 24 hour medical care is still not available for animals. “We desperately need one animal hospital that runs 24 hours. There are many incidents when animals need care at odd times like in cases of accidents and so on,” complained Ms Anjana Desai, an animal lover from Panaji.
When asked what measures could be taken to tackle the issue of accidental deaths of animals on highways Dr Pinto stated that if anybody knows the culprit then they can book him/her under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The other issue relating to animals is the menace of stray dogs. Dr Pinto, however, opines that they need equal amount of care and love like any pedigree dog. “It is very important that along with pedigree dogs, people also adopt these indigenous local dogs. They also need a home,” confirmed Dr Pinto who believes that in Goa stray dogs are well look after when compared to other States. “Also here in Goa we have five animal welfare organisations who conduct ABC (Animal Birth Control) programme,” he added.
On the issue of commercialisation of pedigree dogs, he hinted that it is not a healthy trend. “Most of the times these dogs are brought from Mumbai, Bangalore and sometimes even from abroad. There are breeders who do it on a commercial basis. But, it should not be encouraged. Instead, people can adopt puppies/kittens from any animal shelter as it gives them the much required home,” he concluded.
More about World Veterinary Day: This day is celebrated to highlight the work of the veterinary profession around the world in public health, quarantine, clinical practice, annual health, animal welfare, environmental protection, research and development and wildlife conservation.