SHILLONG: The government’s veterinary hospital in Garikhana is witnessing about 100 patients every day even amid lockdown.
“We get not less than 100 patients on usual days but we had thought the lockdown would bring down the number but it is not the case. Probably, pet owners have more time now to come to the hospital. Also, it is the season when animals suffer from diarrhoea, dysentery and gastro-intestinal infection,” said District Veterinary Officer A Laloo on Tuesday.
With social distancing norm in place, “it becomes difficult to manage so many people in such a small space”, Laloo informed.
“Moreover, our doctors and other staff have to interact with the pet owners and this has risk. But they wear masks all the time,” she added.
Masks and gloves are part of the hospital’s protocol and that continues. But medicines are in short supply, Laloo admitted, adding that they have requested a nearby pet shop to open following proper guidelines. “It was closed for some time during the initial panic but we convinced them.”
The hospital has a laboratory and operation theatre and emergency surgical cases are still being accepted.
The hospital timing (8:30am-4:30pm) has not been staggered. The veterinary hospital has two doctors, one of whom is always stationed at the clinic.
On whether reports of pets getting infected by the novel corona virus in other countries created panic here, Laloo said there was no such apprehension as people here are well aware that pets do not get infected.
Reusing gloves
An employee at the hospital complained that the staff have to reuse gloves and sometimes masks because of short supply. “We are using the gloves for 2-3 days,” the employee informed.
However, Laloo said there is enough supply of gloves, masks and sanitisers for the staff and reuse is not hygienic.
