Veterinary Care - Haiti's Livestock

Veterinary Care
"If Pigs Could Fly - Haiti" 's  collaborative work with the mountain community above the plain of Leyogan has been supporting veterinary care for livestock, large and small animals.

Veterinarian
For 15 years, we have worked with our local "roving" veterinarian, Elisee Abraham.  A critical need has been appropriate storage for veterunary medicines.  Many, especially vaccines, need refrigetarion.

Power and Refrigeration
Since there is a lack of electrical power and refrigeration, we've started out with a solar panel and some batteries.  So, we've got the power and can store it, not only when the sun shines! Now, a tiny refrigerator to store medicines would support Elisee's practice.  Without such cold storage, it is necessary to make trips to and from the capital, carry small amounts with an ice pack, and vaccinate and treat.  Elisee travels all over the hillsides of our zone.
In the video, a pig with maggots in an infected wound is treated by a desperate farmer with...the fillings from a AAA battery, orange rind, and a mixture of herbs!  We can do better in the 21st century...

Piglets, Goats and Sheep - Oh my!
Elisee also treats horses, mules and the occasional cow that some families raise (but do not own).  Most livestock is "share-cropped" - provided by city folks to our residents to graze, raise and care for, and ready for sale.  Our people get a share of the animal, or a share of the pglets, goat kids or animal if it is successfully bred.  Elisee has his work cut out for him; unfortunately, many animals are lost to disease, maggots, wounds, ack of vaccines,  accidents, or attacks by dogs.  We can help stoHere is Sonel with the family's mule - a big responsibility.

Help stop the bleeding

Medicines and Storage needed
Without proper medicines, rural farmers resort to a concoction of filings from a AAA battery (!), orange rind and local herbs, to treat infections and maggots.