SPANA vets around the world see many working animals suffering from colic, a form of abdominal pain that can be deadly without treatment.
As an animal lover, you will know how difficult this is for our vets to see, especially as colic is often preventable. To help avoid colic, working animals should be treated for parasites regularly and receive dental care when they need it. Dental care is vital, as overgrown teeth stop animals from chewing properly and breaking down food. Importantly, working animals need good quality food, and clean drinking water to help food pass through their gut easily.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to more animals going without food. The climate emergency is causing drought in the countries where we work, leading to a lack of access to water. Desperately hungry working animals are also tempted to eat harmful rubbish, like plastic or cardboard.
With your support, we will provide early treatment for colic that will save lives. You can also help us to prevent it in the first place.
Will you please donate today to help provide early treatment for colic, and prevent working animals from suffering from colic in the first place?
Jad’s story
Every day, Jad pulls his piled-high cart through the narrow medinas of Marrakech to collect recycling for his owner, Usama.
One day, the donkey was much slower and weaker than normal. He was struggling to breathe and refusing to eat, despite carrying out demanding work. Jad’s heart was beating fast, and he kept shifting his weight onto his hind legs and pawed the ground. He was lethargic and wanted to lie down.
As the condition gripping his body worsened, he could soon be writhing in agony on the ground, desperate for the pain to stop.
Thankfully, Usama spotted something was wrong before the colic had become more serious – and potentially life-threatening.
Usama took Jad to our SPANA centre in Marrakech. After a thorough examination, they discovered that Jad had colic because something was blocking his intestine. Donkeys can’t vomit to clear their stomach. So, our vets inserted a plastic tube into Jad’s nose and passed fluids through it to hydrate him and move what was blocking his gut. They also gave him a much-needed painkiller injection. Finally, Jad was given a deworming tablet to get rid of any parasites in his intestines.
The treatment helped Jad’s colic immediately, relieving his pain. He soon started to become stronger and more alert. Our vets gave Usama some advice about how to avoid colic in the future to stop Jad suffering again.
Not every working animal is as lucky as Jad, but with a kind gift from you today we can protect more animals from horrific colic. Thank you.
Thank you
Your generous donations will be used for projects such as those featured in this colic appeal and where they are required the most to help working animals in need. We would be so grateful for whatever you can give to this vital appeal. Thank you.
To speak to our friendly supporter care team please visit our contact us page and get in touch.