When Kristina the donkey was suffering from parasites, SPANA vets in Mauritania were on hand to give her the help she so desperately needed.
Kristina the donkey works up to 10 hours a day hauling cartloads of bricks and building equipment around Mauritania’s capital city, Nouakchott. This tough work enables her owner, Amar, to earn a basic income in the construction sector.
Kristina was seen by SPANA’s veterinary team at our busy centre in Nouakchott when Amar became concerned that his donkey was unwell. Kristina had lost her appetite and was starting to lose weight.
Our vets gave Kristina a thorough examination. They diagnosed Kristina as suffering from parasites and malnutrition. Sadly, parasites are a very common problem that our vets see every day. Parasites drain working animals of the nutrients they need, leading to malnutrition, fatigue and a range of debilitating health issues that can be fatal.
Thankfully, treating parasites is simple and inexpensive. Our vets administered anti-parasite medication, then tempted Kristina to eat with some nutritious feed and fresh water. While Kristina ate, our vets advised Amar to rest Kristina until she was back to her full strength, and to ensure that she received plenty of good feed and water.
Amar thanked the vets for all their help. He added: ‘The team at SPANA are very kind and welcoming. They always treat my donkey for free.’
With your support, our vets are able to help working animals who are suffering from parasites at our veterinary centres across Africa. Here, our teams ensure they receive the treatment they need to tackle the problem, and that their owners know how to recognise the symptoms and prevent parasites in future. In cities like Nouakchott which rely on working animals to carry out essential tasks, our centres are providing working animals with vital access to professional veterinary services and ongoing care. Find out how you can support more working animals like Kristina by sponsoring a SPANA stable today.
