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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS– ANIMAL HEALTH
Question:
Should we allow animals to be vaccinated if the vaccinator does not bring vaccine in ice box?
Answer:
Never, vaccines get spoiled in ambient temperature and is unable to provide protection to animals.
Question:
Which animals cannot be vaccinated?
Answer:
Sick animals, just calved animals (up to 3-4 weeks after calving) & calves till they attain 3-4 months of age
should not be vaccinated.
Question:
Can a pregnant animal be vaccinated?
Answer:
Yes, there is no harm in vaccinating a pregnant animal. However, one should avoid vaccinating animals in
the last month of pregnancy, as the animal as well as the fetus could be injured during restraining.
Question:
Should we vaccinate unaffected animals during FMD outbreak in a village?
Answer:
In an FMD affected village, it is not advisable to vaccinate animals not showing symptoms of FMD since
it may already be in various stages of incubation even before any symptoms are seen. However, ring vaccination
starting from 2-3 km away from the infected village and moving inward from periphery to the point of infection
is very important is limiting the spread of the disease. Strict control on movement of animals, feed, fodder and
people from infected areas are also equally important in controlling the outbreak.
Question:
Can an animal be vaccinated against several diseases at a time?
Answer:
Yes, in human beings and dogs, combined vaccines for multiple diseases are already in use for a long
time. Now combined vaccines against FMD, HS and BQ are available for cattle and buffaloes also.
Question:
What should we do if a rabid dog bites an animal?
Answer:
Wash the wound immediately under running tap water for 5-10 minutes. In absence of a tap, pour clean
water from a vessel. Clean the wound with ordinary bath soap gently. Apply tincture iodine and take the animal
to the nearest Veterinary Officer.
Question:
What should we do if a snake bites an animal?
Answer:
Tie a tourniquet 3-4 inches above the site of the bite. Give a small incision at the site with clean blade and
allow the wound to bleed. Wash the wound with detergent. Call the Veterinarian immediately.
Question:
What should we do to treat tympany/bloat?
Answer:
Feeding of lush green leafy fodder like Berseem, lucerne may result in formation and accumulation of
gases in the rumen causing distension of rumen. In such cases, don’t allow the animal to sit and do not provide
water to drink. Give the animal a mixture containing 100 gm of rock salt, 30 gms of asafoetida, 100 ml turpentine
oil and 500 ml linseed / vegetable oil and then consult a Veterinary officer immediately.
Question:
Is there any harm if we consume milk from a cow suffering from subclinical mastitis?
Answer:
Milk from cows having subclinical mastitis may contain toxins of certain bacteria that are not destroyed
even by boiling. The toxins may produce diarrhoea or throat infection in humans.
Question:
Is oxytocin injection given for letdown of milk harmful to animal or milk consumers?
Answer:
Use of oxytocin injection is not recommended for milk let down except when used by a veterinarian for
treating animals for some diseases.
Question:
Should colostrum need to be fed to a new born calf?
Answer:
Colostrum should be fed as early as possible to a new born calf in adequate quantities (minimum 1/10th
of the body weight).
Question:
Can we deworm pregnant animals?
Answer:
Pregnant animals should be dewormed near the time of calving and again 6-7 weeks after calving after
consultation with a veterinarian.