Alice, an eight-year old cross-bred dog, is recuperating after a surgery to remove a cyst in her kidney. She has a spacious separate kennel in the fully equipped Small Animal In-patient Unit at the Madras Veterinary College and a team of veterinarians is always at her disposal. After she recovers from the surgery, she will undergo another operation to remove cataracts in both eyes.
A German sheperd with renal complications and hip dislocation, lodged in a big cage, is also receiving round-the-clock attention. It has been kept in the cage instead of a separate room to restrict its movements.
“These animals require treatment on a day-to-day basis and their owners live far away. The unit solves the problem of transporting small sick animals regularly. The building can house 18 dogs and eight cats and they will get treatment till they recover,” said S. Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas).
He said the 6,000 square feet in-patient unit, renovated at a cost of more than ₹1 crore, has been functioning from August. The building has an open space of 1,000 sq ft, offering good ventilation. The veterinary hospital has plans to construct a swimming pool for treatment of small animals with neurological disorders in the future.
“The unit also has an air-conditioned treatment room for minor medical and surgical therapies. We are also installing HD surveillance cameras in and around the kennel to monitor the movements of the pets,” Dr. Thilagar explained.
Room for internees
S. Balasubramanian, Controller of Examination of Tanuvas, said in order to ensure that veterinarians are always available for treatment of the pets, the college has constructed residential room for internees in the first floor of the in-patient unit.
“Earlier, veterinary students had to undergo six months internship, and now, the university has increased the period to one year. They will stay in these rooms,” said Mr. Balasubramanian.
The unit charges a nominal amount of ₹50 per day from the owners of the pet.
“Medicines are free and we provide commercial dry food for the animals admitted in the in-patient ward. The pets will be taken for morning walks to observer their general health status,” said Dr. Cecilia Joseph, Head of Clinics.
The idea is to treat animals that cannot be moved because of post-operative conditions and orthopaedic disabilities. It is like a human ward where experts will visit the patients instead of shifting them to special wards frequently, say G. Baranidharan and Dr. N. Premalatha, who are in charge of the unit.
