Find out how SPANA vets in Mauritania helped a run-down horse back on the road to recovery.
Jack and his owner, Mamadou, work side-by-side transporting people around Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. Their daily work helps Mamadou earn a small living and enables their passengers to attend hospital appointments, visit friends and relatives and buy essentials like food and water from the market.
Mamadou brought his seven-year-old horse to SPANA’s Nouakchott veterinary centre because he seemed weak and tired.
At the centre, our vets gave Jack a full examination from head to hoof. In addition to the symptoms that Mamadou had correctly identified, the vets discovered that Jack was suffering from dehydration, excessive hoof growth and internal parasites. These health problems were most likely due to poor environmental conditions and long working hours on Nouakchott’s hot, dusty roads.
The vets set about administering the treatment that Jack needed. They gave him anti-parasitic medication to tackle his parasite problem, then trimmed his hooves to ensure that they were all well-balanced and even again. They also administered a vitamin supplement and gave the thirsty horse a long drink of water.
While Jack was drinking, the vets gave Mamadou guidance on how to care for his horse. He was advised to ensure Jack had plenty of rest, access to clean, fresh water and a balanced diet. The vets asked Mamadou to bring Jack to the centre for regular check-ups, so they could monitor the horse’s hooves and assess him for parasites.
Mamadou couldn’t thank the vets enough for their help. He added: ‘I always bring my animals to SPANA. They treat them in the best way possible and they do the necessary treatments.’
Thanks to our compassionate supporters, our veterinary centres are a lifeline for thousands of working animals like Jack who – without SPANA – often have no other access to professional veterinary care. Your ongoing support plays a special role in ensuring sick and injured working animals receive the treatment they need. Thank you so much for your support.
