Safietou the donkey had developed multiple skin tumours that needed expert treatment by SPANA vets in Mauritania.
Safietou has worked alongside her owner, 68-year-old Ebouh, for five years. The 15-year-old donkey supports Ebouh and his family by carrying out agricultural tasks in Rotti, a small village near the border town of Boghé, in southern Mauritania.
Safietou is extremely important to Ebouh, which is why he became increasingly concerned for his donkey’s health when she developed a number of lumps around her chest and eyes.
Ebouh knew that his donkey needed expert treatment, but he didn’t know who to turn to for help. When he asked around the village, he was told about SPANA and found out that the SPANA mobile clinic would soon be visiting Rotti to provide free veterinary care to sick and injured working animals. Ebouh took Safietou along as soon as the mobile clinic arrived in the village.
At the clinic, SPANA vets examined Safietou, who had multiple small lumps across her chest and a larger lump close to each eye. Several of the lumps were red and ulcerated. The vets diagnosed Safietou as suffering from sarcoids. Sarcoids are tumour-type skin lesions that are quite common in donkeys, especially those that are genetically susceptible to them. They can appear quite suddenly and grow quickly – typically developing on the head, face, chest and groin.
The vets set about treating Safietou. They gently and carefully cleaned each sarcoid. The team also administered anti-inflammatory medication to ease any discomfort and encourage healing, as well as anti-parasite treatment, as they suspected she had internal parasites. They told Ebouh to bring his donkey to the SPANA centre in nearby Boghé in two days’ time for further treatment.
Ebouh was relieved that the vets had been able to help Safietou. He said: ‘This is the first time that I have visited the SPANA mobile clinic with Safietou. I thank the vets for taking care of my animal.’
Due to your kindness, SPANA is able to provide life-changing treatment to thousands of donkeys, horses, mules, camels, elephants and oxen every year. With your help, we are improving the welfare of working animals in the world’s poorest communities. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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