When a carthorse in Ethiopia began showing signs of lameness, vets from our partner Addis Ababa University stepped in to provide him with essential treatment at our mobile clinic.
Keyo is an eight-year-old carthorse who walks the cobbled streets of Dukem, in Ethiopia, transporting people and essential goods. His important work helps his owner, Asefa, earn an income as a cart driver to support his wife and three children.
Asefa became concerned when he noticed that Keyo was finding it difficult to pull his cart, walking slowly and limping. He took Keyo to our mobile veterinary clinic in Dukem, run by our partner Addis Ababa University, for urgent treatment.
At the mobile clinic, the vets examined Keyo’s feet and discovered that he had bruised soles from walking on cobbled roads, which was causing his lameness. They provided Keyo with the essential treatment, administering painkillers and advising Asefa to let his horse rest for a month, so that his condition wouldn’t worsen.
Our team also advised Asefa to provide his horse with appropriate shoeing to protect his feet and to avoid walking Keyo over sharp objects which could cause his feet further injury.
Asefa said: “Thank you for giving treatment for my horse. My horse covers all my families’ costs. He is my means of survival.”
In collaboration with our partners, our mobile clinics provide urgent and essential veterinary care for as many vulnerable working animals as possible, just like Keyo. With your continued support we can ensure that these working animals are not overlooked when they are sick or injured and receive the care that they need to thrive. We’re committed to transforming the lives of working animals around the world, but we can’t do it without your help. Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
SPANA is now called Working Animals International. As our work has expanded across countries and cultures, we’ve recognised that our brand didn’t always make it immediately clear who we are or the animals we support. Our new name, Working Animals International better reflects our purpose and our commitment to improving the lives of working animals worldwide. While our name has changed, our mission remains exactly the same: transforming the lives of working animals and the communities who depend on them around the world. Read more here.
