How SPANA helped Kristina the donkey get her strength back

When Kristina the donkey was suffering from parasites, SPANA vets in Mauritania were on hand to give her the help she so desperately needed.

A working donkey and her owner visit SPANA's veterinary centre in Mauritania for urgency treatment.

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.

A SPANA vet provides urgent veterinary treatment to a working donkey at SPANA's centre in Mauritania

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.

A working donkey at a SPANA veterinary centre in Mauritania was treated for parasites

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.

You may also be interested in

A man wearing a black leather jacket standing holding a brown horse in front of stables

Parasites are a problem for Lana the horse 

Lana the horse was seriously under the weather. Find out how SPANA vets in Tunisia helped her on the road to recovery. 

A lifesaving stay at the SPANA stables

Find out how SPANA’s veterinary team saved Went, a donkey who needed three days of intensive care at our veterinary centre in Mauritania.

SPANA vet examining a donkeys stomach

Yves the donkey’s stable stay

Yves the donkey was suffering from a swollen wound on his back and needed to stay at SPANA’s stables in Mali for treatment.

A man wearing a black leather jacket standing holding a brown horse in front of stables

Parasites are a problem for Lana the horse 

Lana the horse was seriously under the weather. Find out how SPANA vets in Tunisia helped her on the road to recovery. 

A lifesaving stay at the SPANA stables

Find out how SPANA’s veterinary team saved Went, a donkey who needed three days of intensive care at our veterinary centre in Mauritania.

SPANA vet examining a donkeys stomach

Yves the donkey’s stable stay

Yves the donkey was suffering from a swollen wound on his back and needed to stay at SPANA’s stables in Mali for treatment.