administration of saline drip to Cow on the roads .. !!

The otherwise docile buffalo would seem apparently  agitated – as the man approaches nearer – he carries an injection which in one single stroke pierces the tough skin, animal shows pain, but is helpless – people say, it is Oxytocin administered making cattle produce more milk – it is stated that it has severe harmful effects on the health of the animals and also humans who consume that milk !! .. .. .. even this is common in many areas ~ but what was seen yesterday on the streets of Triplicane – shocking – ‘administering of drips’ !  [there are always 2 sides – perhaps that was done with good intention too, one never knows]

Saline, would require no elaboration ,  a mixture of sodium chloride in water that  has a number of uses in medicine. Whenever, one is admitted into any hospital, the first thing that is done is ‘drips’.    The medical use of saline began around 1831. It is on the World Health Organization's List of essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.

What we colloquially call ‘drips’ is - Intravenous therapy,  the infusion of liquid substances directly into a vein. Intravenous (IV) means "within vein". Intravenous infusions are commonly referred to as drips. The intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver fluids and medications throughout the body. Intravenous therapy may be used for fluid administration (such as correcting dehydration), to correct electrolyte imbalances, to deliver medications and for blood transfusions.  The fluid is given from a bag connected to an intravenous line. This is a thin tube, often called an IV, that’s inserted into one of your veins.

There are several reasons why one  might need to have fluids administered intravenously. For instance, some treatments rely on IV delivery, which would include – rehydration, treatment of infection, management of pain and more.  Fluids for such treatments consist of water with electrolytes, sugar, or medications added in concentrations that depend on your need.

While the mode and methodology of injecting cattle on roads, before they are milched, leaves deep sense of anguish on the onlooker, the other day, a boy was standing near a cow on the street of Triplicane with a IV bag in raised hand – the cow had an injection inserted on the front right upper limb – not too sure whether to appreciate the care for the cow or was it wrong way of treatment, rather than taking it to a qualified Vet and having it treated in a proper place.

Some reading puts that knowledge and proper training on how to give cattle injections or shots, be it sub-subcutaneously (SQ; under the skin), intramuscularly (IM; directly into the blood supply of the muscle), or intravenously (IV; directly into the vein, usually the jugular vein), is very important in order to be able to vaccinate or treat cattle with vaccines or medicines, respectively. A cow, bull, heifer, steer or calf does not have to be sick in order to be given an injection, many cattle that are perfect healthy are required to get injections or shots for annual vaccinations or booster shots, is what a research paper says.

Cattle of all ages, when challenged from disease or dehydrating changes in environment or management, will either use body reserves of fluids to maintain homeostasis or attempt to replenish fluid balance by drinking water. The rumen serves as a reservoir which releases consumed water to the body fluid compartments through an osmotic pressure gradient. As cells require fluid for metabolism, electrolytes and other nutrients exert osmotic pressure to continuously supply the cells with fluid for normal functions.

It has been very hot in Chennai and the summer is definitely taking toll on bovines. Severely challenged cattle can dehydrate in excess of 10% of their bodyweight. Clinical signs include: eyes sunken into orbits, skin remains tented indefinitely, dry mucus membranes, and depression is evident. This degree of dehydration is potentially life threatening and procedures of IV fluid therapy and oral rumen large volume supplementation should be initiated immediately.

Whatever it be, it was shocking to see a cow on road being administered IV by a boy ! ~ and it was far different than what see in the photo here.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

30^th May 2017.