OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, June 08, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program conducted a monitoring of livestock awarded to SAAD associations in two (2) SAAD-covered municipalities in the province to ensure that the animals are in tip-top shape.
Spearheaded by Dr. Vida Z. Francisco, SAAD Livestock Program Representative, the activity aims to assess the animals’ overall health and check the condition of newly-delivered livestock.
San Jose
29 out of 30 caraheifers awarded to Samahang Buhid at Hanunuo Mangyan ng Barangay Naibuan (SBHMBN) in July 2021 are healthy upon inspection. The other one died from vaginal hernia – a condition associated with rupture of the pre-pubic tendon due to failure of stretched and thinned abdominal muscles.
According to the members of SBHMBN, the animal suffered excessive bleeding which caused its death.
Image 1. Caraheifer with vaginal hernia.
“Common ang hernia. [Ang mga dahilan nito ay] posibleng sa genetics, pwede ring naipit ng mga mas malalaking kalabaw noong delivery kaya napwersa. Upon arrival [mula sa supplier], dapat makapahinga at least 24 hours para hindi mastress ang kalabaw,” (Hernia is common and it is usually either hereditary through genetics or just by being squished by larger cara heifers during delivery that cause stress. Upon arrival from the supplier, the animals should be given 24 hours to rest to avoid over-fatigue,) Dr. Francisco advised.
Sablayan
The five caraheifers awarded to Paysarigan Mangyan Alangan Pandurucan (PMAP) recently were in good shape and have an ideal pasture area. However, a couple of the recently-awarded goats to Samahang Magsasakang Katutubong Pandurucan (SAMAKAPA) have Orf, also known as contagious ecthyma or scabby mouth. Orf is a viral skin and mucosal disease which causes scabby lesions usually around the area of the mouth, lips and nose.
Image 2. Goat with Orf or scabby mouth.
To avoid the spread of the disease, Dr. Francisco suggested to keep the infected goats separate from the healthy ones as it is very contagious and can spread through direct animal-to-animal contact entering through damaged skin.
The Livestock Representative encouraged the beneficiaries and the project implementers to monitor the animals regularly and follow Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) to keep them healthy and free from diseases.
He also advised the Area Coordinators to work with the Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) to set a time to deworm and administer vitamin supplements to the animals as soon as the medicines arrive.
SAAD Program assists the beneficiaries in sustaining livelihood programs by working hand-in-hand with LGUs and other partner agencies in providing training and through regular monitoring.
Source: Oliver B. Cosme – SAAD Area Coordinator - Sablayan, Jercel N. Catubig – SAAD Area Coordinator – San Jose
- Orf Virus (Sore Mouth Infection), Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/orf-virus/index.html
- Goat Diseases, Retrieved from: https://www.farmhealthonline.com/disease-management/goat-diseases/orf-in-goats/
- Abdominal Hernia, Retrieved from: http://www.veterinaryhandbook.com.au/Diseases.aspx?diseasenameid=2
