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Integrated approach to animal healthcare
1. Veterinary services
State governments largely provide veterinary services in the country. It is estimated that there is one veterinarian for every 7000 animals in the country. The State controlled Animal husbandry departments provide vaccination against major diseases such as foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, haemorrhagic septicaemia and black quarter. Recent surveys revealed that 75-85% of farmers use traditional or folk medicine for a variety of conditions. But this system does not facilitate cure to all diseases. More over the knowledge of a particular treatment is often restricted to a community, or to some traditional healers. With the introduction of modern systems, many of these treatments are not validated "clinically" or empirically and cannot be promoted on a large scale.
Many of the medicinal plants are not available due to deforestation. Modern medicine is technology dependent and needs skilled practitioners. Levels of safety are low and care should be taken in dispensing antibiotics and steroids. It can create health problems if improperly used. An integrated livestock health care system that is economically viable and sustainable is needed.
2. Nutrition and livestock health
Educating farmers on importance of clean drinking water and use of simple methods like addition of potassium permanganate and alum should be promoted.
Working with village committees and water shed groups help to plan water requirements for human and animal health. Low nutrition levels leads to poor
health and reduced production. In India small, marginal and land less farmers are dependent on common property resources, forest resources and grasslands to meet the nutritional requirements of their animals. Loss of forestlands impairs this situation. It may be due to:
1. Over exploitation and destruction.
2. Replacement with non-fodder crops like acacia and eucalyptus.
3. The proliferation of weeds likes parthenium, which in turn replace traditional grass varieties.
4. Reservation of forest, denying access to local people.
Even farmers who own land are finding it difficult to grow fodder. Traditional cereal and crop varieties give way to cash crops like chilly and tobacco, which are having no fodder value. Programs can be initiated at the village level to
meet the fodder requirements. Village groups should work out programs for the equitable distribution of fodder resources among themselves. Moreover concepts
of controlled and rotational grazing on common lands can also be included.
3. Animal housing and health
Animal housing varies across the country based on availability of resources, natural and capital as well as the agro climatic conditions. A study on the traditional housing system across the country found that design and material used for housing were appropriate to the agro climatic region. Overcrowding was not taken into consideration. Major threats faced by farmers are bad weather conditions especially heat stress, excess cold, exposure to rain
and predators. Ectoparasites lower production and are the carriers of diseases. In the case of exotic cattle and buffaloes, tick infestation results in diseases like
theileriasis and babesiosis. Using traditional methods ectoparasites can be
controlled. Chemical pesticides used for the control of ectoparasites are dangerous to human beings and animals. Use of plant derivatives must be encouraged. Farmers can fumigate cattle sheds with plant leaves in
an attempt to reduce the population of ticks, lice and fleas. In Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, farmers build monsoon and summer shelters for their large
ruminants. Monsoon shelter is made of pillars of laterite, Walls of bamboo strips and tiled roof. Animals are housed in temporary shelters made of walls
of leaves during summer and winter.
4. Livestock diseases and animal health care
Studies in six districts of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra revealed that infectious diseases like FMD and black quarter are responsible for the maximum losses. Other conditions like diarrhoea, tick infestation and reproductive problems may not be fatal but lead to production losses. Only identifying different constraints and thereby developing suitable, sustainable alternatives instead of concentrating on the curative measures would resolve issues in animal health. Even though traditional medicine cannot eradicate infectious diseases it is useful in many disease conditions.
Some of the traditional medicines are more useful against Anorexia. Digestive tonics, appetite stimulants and stomachics are available in traditional medicine. These treatments do not need further validation or recommendation and their use has been empirically validated many times over generations of use. Improper feeding and watering practices will result in bloat. Its incidence is more in monsoon when animals are suddenly exposed to lot of fresh green fodder. Household spices and herbs like ginger, asafoetida, etc, are very effective against simple tympany and bloat.
Many dermatological conditions are linked to ectoparasitsm, feeding practices, hygienic standards and weather conditions. Combination of plant oils like neem, coconut and derris along with sulphur powder can be used for topical application.
5. Worm Infestations
There are a number of plant and mineral derivatives, which are having anthelmentic properties. If farmers could be taught to use these preparations routinely it can considerably reduce the incidence of worm infestation. Mixed farming, rotational grazing and quick composting of animal wastes will reduce the incidence. Scientific feeding and water management coupled with regular deworming will decrease the incidence of diarrhoea.
6. Indigenous breeds of cattle.
It is well known that local breeds are more resistant to diseases than exotic breeds. In Kerala they include Vechur, Kasargod, Vadakara and the high range dwarf cattle, Kuttanad buffaloes, Malabari and Attappady black goats. As a policy, it would be better if farmers who do not have adequate access to clean drinking water, fodder, health facilities and capital resources are not encouraged to take up the rearing of crossbreds. Even though livestock sector provides an excellent livelihood option, true potential of this sector however is not realized because of loss due to disease and low productivity of animals. In many parts of the country majority of the livestock population is being treated informally with the use of alternative systems of medicine. For this a balanced approach with different systems could be taken into consideration. Possible reasons for attempting to validate ethno-veterinary medicines are
- To confirm that practices are effective so that potential users can be encouraged.
- To enable recommendations for integration · to educate the users
- To increase our knowledge in general.
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