Salomon’s tetanus scare
Tetanus is a devastating disease that puts the lives of countless working animals at risk every year, yet it can be easily prevented by simple vaccination. One working animal who faced the serious threat posed by tetanus is Salomon, a spirited three-year-old donkey who recently arrived at our member SPANA’s Bamako centre in a state of distress. Without the dedicated intervention of SPANA’s veterinary team – and your compassionate support – Salomon’s early symptoms could have spiralled into a life-threatening crisis.
Six days a week, Salomon works tirelessly, navigating the treacherous rubbish dumps of Bamako, Mali, to collect waste. His daily routine involves a gruelling trek up and down heaps of decaying refuse, scattered with sharp cans, jagged pieces of metal, and broken glass. His makeshift harness was causing painful chafing on his back, which lead to an open wound. This injury became a gateway for deadly tetanus bacteria to invade his system. Tragically, Salomon began to exhibit early signs of this cruel disease; his muscles started to spasm, resulting in stiff ears and a painful ‘locked jaw,’ making it increasingly difficult for him to eat or even move.
Recognising the severity of his donkey’s condition, Karamoko, Salomon’s owner, was fraught with worry. He took action urgently, bringing Salomon to SPANA’s Bamako centre, where the skilled veterinary team were ready to help. After carefully examining the donkey, the vets administered a lifesaving tetanus anti-toxin and anti-tetanus vaccination to fight the disease. They carefully cleaned and disinfected his wound, offering Karamoko invaluable advice on how to properly fit a harness to prevent such injuries in the future.
Following his initial treatment, Salomon undertook two weeks of restful recuperation and devoted care at the Bamako centre stables. During this crucial time, he received muscle relaxants to ease his symptoms. Gradually, as he was able to receive proper rest and ongoing treatment from SPANA vets, Salomon made a full recovery from his ordeal. He soon regained the ability to move and eat comfortably, free from pain and discomfort.
When Salomon was well enough to go home, the veterinary team took the time to show his owner how to correctly place the new, well-fitted harness they had provided, to prevent future injury. Karamoko, who relies on his donkey to help him earn enough money to feed his family, was extremely grateful for the new harness and SPANA’s help. He said: “Thank you, SPANA. Salomon is so important to me. I am so pleased that he has a harness that will not cause him injury.”