TF Med Falcon

TF Med Falcon

2008-08-02

Animals get check-up 

The veterinarians were on a mission to provide dewormer for the sheep and cattle and rabies shots for the dogs, during a routine veterinary civil assistance program or Vet CAP.

“Most of the livestock have never been vaccinated,” said Capt. James Neal, veterinarian with Task Force Med Falcon. “We’re trying to make the local population aware of local resources in the community to keep their livestock healthy, like veterinarians.”

As Kosovo Force 9 prepares to head home, Neal showed the incoming KFOR 10 veterinarian, Maj. Dana Dobbs, from the 7229th Medical Support Hospital, Ft. Lewis, Wash., how the Vet CAP procedure works.

“We go out on a recon mission a couple days before to get familiar with the route,” said Neal. “It also gives us a prediction of how many animals we will treat so we can bring the right amount of medicine.”

The liquid dewormer which is sprayed on the cattle’s back will soak into their skin and enter the blood stream, killing some parasites and flushing out others.

Adjusting the nozzle controls the amount of dewormer sprayed which is determined by the size of the animal, explained Dobbs.

Going from barn to barn the veterinarians started at the top of the Leskovica village and worked their way down, giving the animals vaccinations. Neal explained to Dobbs the process and had her join in.

They sprayed dewormer on the cows, but gave sheep oral doses because their coats are too thick for the topical to soak through.

The children helped by rounding up their pet dogs for rabies shots.

“It’s easier to go from farm to farm instead of them bringing the animals to us,” Neal said. “This way the cattle are stationary and easier to spray For Dobbs, this was her first Vet CAP and she said she loves it.

“These cows seem to be great,” said Dobbs. “I get a little nervous when I go in between them, you don’t know if their going to kick you or not.”

By the end of the day they had dewormed more than 138 cattle and gave 11 dogs rabies vaccinations.

“I enjoy talking to the people the best,” said Neal. “They’re very appreciative, I will miss this place very much.”

The farmers and their families were very thankful. They greeted the Soldiers with open arms and showed their gratitude.

They walked around to every Soldier and made sure that each person got something to drink.

One little boy picked beautiful red flowers and passed them out to the Soldiers to show his thanks.

“I appreciate the help a lot and I don’t know how to return this good deed,” said Ismet Leskovica, a local farmer from the village with 42 cattle.

“KFOR doesn’t just tell us they will help, but they actually do it.”