The Brooke - Meeting the need - Gujranwala, Pakistan

Meet Dr Gondal and his team

Dr Gondal's team (left to right - Saeed Ahmed, Dr Gondal, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Abbas)

Brooke vet Dr Javed Igbal Gondal and his team work in the city of Gujranwala, Pakistan. Each day they travel to communities in remote areas, treating animals and holding training sessions.

Below Dr Gondal introduces his team and describes, in his own words, a typical day on the road.

My team includes vet assistants Mr Saeed Ahmed and Mr Ghulam Abbas and driver Mr Mehdi Hassan.

Saeed and Ghulam assist me with clinical activities like dressing wounds and giving vaccinations. They also look after any medicines and veterinary equipment organised for the team. Mehdi drives the team to all the different communities and looks after the vehicle, making sure it is in good working order.

Before 7:00am:

The other vets and I meet briefly to discuss the work plan for the day. Meanwhile, the vet assistants look into the mobile clinic’s medicines and equipment. Saeed checks the medicine stock and Abbas puts ice in the vaccine box to keep the vaccines cool and fills the tank with fresh water for cooling down horses and donkeys. Mehdi, the driver, cleans and checks the vehicle.

7:30am:

Before we leave for community work, an emergency case is reported at the clinic in Gujranwala. Rani, a six year old mare, is having problems eating and drinking due to a blockage in her throat. Her owner, Tufail, explains that Rani was fed bread and onions which have become lodged there.

Tufail, went to see a local healer who couldn’t offer any help so he is extremely worried when he arrives. “I come to you guys with great hope, doctor please save my mare as she is my companion who earns a livelihood for my family. Rani has this painful condition just because of my mistake,” he explains.

When my team see Rani, she is dehydrated, malnourished and depressed. Without treatment she could die. I thoroughly examine Rani, recording her symptoms, temperature, pulse rate and the results from a blood test on the case history sheet.

Our first objective is to clear Rani’s throat but it’s difficult because it is swollen. However, we succeed and Rani quickly looks more relaxed. She’s able to eat and drink for the first time in four days.

I advise Tufail to avoid giving Rani bread or onions or similar food and to take good care of her by providing regular shade and water.

Tufail is extremely thankful: “I am really grateful to you and the Brooke, not only did you save my mare, but you also saved me and my family from starvation as my work with Rani is our only income source”.

8:30am:

We leave for our next community meeting. On the way I give follow-up treatment to animals in other communities.

9:45am:

We arrive at the next community where we hold a meeting about “water awareness”. The team talk with the group about the importance of frequent water and rest for horses and donkeys whilst working, and explain how to look for signs of dehydration and how to treat it.

10:00am:

After the community discussion session, we treat the animals. The main problems encountered by animals in this community are lameness, bronchitis and gastro-intestinal problems.

11:00 – 11:15am:

We have a quick tea break and set off to the next community.

11:30am:

We reach the Ali Gee Town community in Baghwala for a seasonal community meeting about Surra. We talk about the causes, signs and symptoms of this blood disease and the preventive measures which can be taken to protect horses and donkeys.

12:30pm:

We reach the Muslim Town community. I give a talk on ‘harness maintenance’, explaining that their parts should be made from quality leather before demonstrating how to fit them to avoid injuries and discomfort.

1:30pm:

The team pack up the medicines and equipment and we begin our journey back to the Brooke centre. There we have a meeting with our colleagues to exchange views and discuss the day’s experiences.

After 2:30pm:

We all leave for home after another busy day. I am so pleased to have reached so many communities through awareness meetings and direct treatment, but I know there are still many more animals who need our help.