Where There is No Vet

Book excerpt: Where There is No Vetis more than just a book on first aid for animals. It aims to help people keep their animals healthy. It covers a wide range of topics that affect the health of livestock, from diarrhea to rinderpest, from helpful traditional remedies to the uses of modern medicines and vaccines. It includes advice on the care, feeding and handling of animals. By describing the signs of disease to look for, it helps readers to work out what is wrong with an animal and then tells them what to do about it. Special emphasis is placed on preventing and controlling diseases and problems. The book covers routine treatments, assisting births and dealing with emergencies and simple operations. Not only does it help readers realize what they can do for their own animals, it also helps them recognize which problems need assistance from experienced vets or skilled workers. The book deals with cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys and camels. It also describes some important problems of dogs, rabbits and poultry. The book is essential for anyone who keeps animals and for people who help advise or teach others who keep animals: · The farmer who lives far from a vet. It explains in simple words and drawings what can be done to prevent, recognize, and treat many common sicknesses. · The teacher in a rural school. The book gives guidelines for teaching other people about animal health and will be useful in the teaching of agricultural science. · The NGO worker or agricultural extension worker who advises farmers on how to look after animals. · The vet assistant or other skilled worker who advises others on how to look after their animals. The book explains which medicines or treatments are most useful for specific sicknesses and warns against any which are useless or dangerous. Published by Oxfam in association with Macmillan and CTA.