Unfazed by heavy rains which lashed the temple city here on Sunday, pet owners turned in large numbers to get their pets inoculated at the ‘Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination’ programme, held on the occasion of ‘World Zoonoses Day’, at the local Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC).
Pets, mainly comprising cats and dogs, were wrapped in towels and other protective covering by owners, who thronged the facility organised by the NSS Tirupati Unit of College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU).
Elated by the response from pet owners this year, Assistant Professor and TVCC Head M. Srinivas said that over 520 free vaccinations would be administered to pets in the forenoon sessions of July 6 and 7.
Dr. Srinivas further talked about the importance of ‘Pre-exposure Prophylactic Anti Rabies Vaccination’, which would protect pet in both acquiring and transmitting rabies. He advised the pet owners to take good care of their pets and continue the same regimen every year. The 10-member dog squad of the TTD, employed in explosives, narcotics and tracking operations, were also vaccinated at the premises.
Explaining the precautions to be taken in case of a dog bite, TVCC’s Associate Professor K. Suresh said that cleaning the wound under running tap water and carbolic soap, supplemented by pouring alcohol, would ensure 99 percent protection against infection.
The programme was inaugurated by MCT Commissioner T. Sakala Reddy. SVVU’s Controller of Examinations K. Venugopal Naidu, Registrar P. Sudhakara Reddy, Deans P.R. Srinivasa Moorthy (Students Affairs) and T.S. Chandrasekhara Rao (Faculty of Veterinary Science) and CVSc Associate Dean D. Sreenivasulu took part.
Vizianagaram correspondent adds:
People are aware of rabies but are unaware of other infectious diseases that have a potential impact on humans, said P. Ramakrishna, Municipal Chairperson, who inaugurated the World Zoonoses Day programme at the Government Veterinary Hospital here. Additional Director (Animal Husbandry) K. Krishna Murty appealed to people rearing pets to vaccinate animals at regular intervals and suggested dos and don’ts. Joint Director (Animal Husbandry) J.S.S. M. Sridhar was present.
Well-groomed canines
ONGOLE: An awareness camp and vaccination programme for pet animals marked the observance of World Zoonoses day here on Sunday.
It was a treat for dog lovers as well-groomed canines in the city were brought in large numbers at the veterinary polyclinic here for administration of anti-rabies vaccine.
Sai Veena Seva Samastha organised an awareness programme at Singarayakonda on rabies, and for children and parents on animal bites, including dogs, monkeys and snakes. Noted paediatrician L. Suneel Reddy of Sai Veena Children’s hospital explained at the medical camp, inaugurated by Corporation Bank Ongole Branch Manager K. Suryanarayana, that a person bitten by a pet, or stray dog, should immediately wash the bitten part and compulsorily take anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) injection dosages.
The 10-member dog squad of TTD, employed in explosives, narcotics and tracking operations, is also vaccinated.
