The Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Peradeniya:

Home of various activities, animal projects

At the beginning, the Veterinary Faculty of Sciences was established under the University of Ceylon in 1942. In 1947, the Department of Veterinary Science was established in the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo. It was shifted to Peradeniya in 1954 and was incorporated to the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Science.

The Department of Veterinary Sciences was expanded and upgraded to a school of Veterinary Sciences in 1973. This Faculty included both the Department of Medicine and the Department of Dental Science.

In 1980, under the name of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicines and Animal Sciences, they were able to function as an independent section. The faculty is made up of four departments: the Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and the Department of Farm Animal Health and Production.

Our own Dr. Ashoka Dhangolla, 41, is at present a senior instructor in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Educated in a number of schools such as Nalanda College, Matale, St. Thomas College, Matale, and the Kekirawa Central, he obtained the degree for Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Peradeniya. As a qualified Veterinary doctor, he got the opportunity to visit countries all over the world, Denmark, Finland, England, Germany, and the State of California to name a few.

At the moment, Dr. Dhangolla is involved in a project at the Bundala National Park. It is a two year project and involves research to find out the quality of the water. Bundala is internationally recognised as a residence for migrant birds.

The water in the lagoon system is changing possibly due to fresh water coming as a result of development projects. The data reports will be handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Department.

The Department had also been involved in a special project regarding the vaccination of animals after the tsunami.

A team of doctors and students from the department had headed East and Down South on the second day after the tragedy. Animals who have been in cages and tied have been wiped away but those who had been free had escaped as they had sensed the signs of danger early. Those animals had returned to their home town or another village.

There had been no one to look after them as the people's main concern had been their own survival. Thus, the roads had been filled with stray animals. Even German Shepards and Great Danes had been on the loose.

The University and four other organisations worked together in an attempt to reduce the possible potential of a Rabies outbreak. They captured and vaccinated dogs. People in those areas have been very cooperative towards this project. They were able to recognize certain areas and work on them to reduce the stray dog population by operating on both male and female animals. This was a good opportunity for the students as they were exposed to various types of surgeries and medicine.

There was another project involving the reduction of the monkey population in Kandy. The monkey had become almost a menace to the society. The prime reason for this is improper waste disposal. Monkeys are attracted to places where there are food and they are able to breed in large numbers.

The first step that those involved in this project took was to do a research to find a suitable solution for the problem. The only practical solution was given by the Japanese who kept capturing the monkeys every five years to inject a hormone. However this method was very difficult to practise in the Sri Lankan context.

Therefore, those involved in the project decided to capture monkeys that have become a burden to the society. These were animals who had either been chased out of their troops or those who had been trained to do tricks by man and had been let loose. Such monkeys had been stealing food from homes and had become the source of an outbreak of Rabies.

Thus, they had organised a campaign to capture these problematic monkeys and had given them the correct vaccinations such as Anti-rabies and Teternaus injections. They had operated on the males and females to prevent reproduction.

The animals had to be trained to become friendly. Thus, they had been put in a cage and though fights had been frequent at the beginning, the monkeys eventually learnt to get along with each other and establish leadership. Now with the permission from the Wildlife Director, they were able to release the monkeys in an island of about 400 acres in Randenigala.

This island does not submerge when the reservoir is full and there is plenty of food available. Thus, the monkeys were able to find a cosy home where they can live peacefully and happily.

The "Millennium Elephant Foundation" also functions closely with the Veterinary Faculty. Dr. Dhangolla had played a main role in bringing together the "Captive Elephant Owners Association" in Sri Lanka. Diyawadana Nilame, Nilanga Delabandara, was the president of this foundation. They are hoping to create an elephant ward near Kandy.

The university also encourages its postgraduates to gain individual achievements. Anura Kumara, a student in his final year, had recently published a book concerning pet dogs, in Sinhala. It is titled "Surathal Snakayan Reka Bala Gannimata Upades: Sunaka Surathallu".

"This book is possibly the first book that contains information about dogs. There is a spectrum of things: how you select a dog, what the breeds are, how to look after the dogs and how to train them. It can be read easily and it has both scientific and general information. It is a book which can be widely read for people of all ages," said Dr. Dhangolla.

He also hastened to add that he himself encourages future graduates to be of immediate use to the society. It is important to disperse knowledge.

The Head of the department and Professor in Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Professor Indira Silva, also expressed her opinion of the Faculty's progress.

"Before 1990 we had only an OPD. Later we decided to remodel the department to make it a functional hospital. It did not have a separate ICU or a long term treatment area. Right now we have more cases than we can handle."

She states that the problem concerning the faculty is that they do not have any supportive staff. The staff in the veterinary section are initial department members.

"Finally the Government had realised the importance of our work and had responded very positively to our request for financial aid for a hospital. They gave us Rs. 44 million to build a hospital but we requested that sum in 2004 and it was during this year that we got it.

Since the price has ascended, now we have requested for Rs. 88 million. We are very hopeful about this project and we are also positive that we will get donations from well-wishers. Hopefully by the end of year 2007 we will have a fully fledged hospital."

Sunflowers: Cheerful sun worshippers

Sunflowers are some of the most interesting and attractive of all garden flowers. They are well adapted to heat and loves strong sunlight, making them ideal for dome gardening.

When most people think of sunflowers, they picture massive flower heads comprising a broad centre of brown disk flowers, surrounded by a ring of bright yellow ray flowers. Large types, such as Russian giant grow 10 to 15 feet tall and produce two pound flower heads nearly two feet across.

Some like elf are a mere 16 inches tall with four inch blossoms.

Sunflowers come in an array of colours. Yellow is still the favourite but there are red, bronze, orange and bicoloured blossoms of orange tipped with yellow.

Sunflowers should be planted in improved garden soil. Mix in organic matter prior to planting. This could be compost, peat moss, potting soil or composted manure. Choose an area for planting that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight.

Sunflowers will tip their flowers in the direction of the sun, following it along during the day. If sun flowers do not receive enough sun, their stems will stretch and they will not be able to support their blossoms.

Sunflowers are such cheerful flowers, you just have to smile when you see them. And their easy to grow.

Step 1: plant seedings after all danger of frost has passed in your region. Space according to label directions, anywhere from six inches to three feet.

Step 2: plant seek 4 to 6 inches apart all danger of frost has passed, covering with half inch soil.

Step 3: Water just enough to keep soil moist. Sunflowers don't need much water or fertiliser.

Step 4: Trim spent blossoms to encourage more flowers.

Warnings: Unless you have a "hot" compost heap that heats up, don't throw sunflower seeds into the compost heap.

The seeds can be carried in the compost, creating a sunflower plant weed problem.

The incredible sunflower turns its head to follow the sun and provides seeds to eat, fiber for materials, medicine to heal, a golden dye and oil. It offers shade and beauty. It is a symbol of our hope for nature and for peace.

Soft Landscaping

With two different shapes of grounds using plants, flowers, fruits, grass etc., and making a simple garden is called soft landscaping.

Few of the examples for soft landscaping are lawns, flower borders, flower beds, security fences and lanes.

To prepare this type of garden some materials are needed such as compost, cowdung, fruits and ornamental fish. Beauty of the garden, relaxation, joy, clean atmosphere, fresh fruits, financial prospects, education, security, minimizing the dust, controlling sunlight and minimising noise pollution are some of the benefits of soft landscaping. Thirty five percent of the noise will be absorbed by having a lawn.

These can be done through various ways like having colour combinations, varieties, different designs and patterns. For example trees with different shapes - global, oval, vase, cup - can be trimmed to suite the home garden. Just because soft landscaping is easier one should not just add plants to spoil the creativeness.

Most of the housewives no sooner they see a plant, they just buy without considering whether it will suite the concept. Also when growing plants near the parapet walls, should see whether size and shape of leaves are suitable or not. It's always better to think twice and be more creative .

Another important fact in soft landscaping is that rain water that falls on the roof should be drained out through a down pipe to the ground.

The water that comes out from the down pipe should be drained through a constructed water draining system, so it will not harm the garden.

In soft landscaping the most important fact is to maintain the garden properly. Also when buying plants one should be aware of how to grow and what are the necessary requirements.

Special thanks to Sumith Diniyadara.

Pet Clinic

With Dr. Asoka Dangolla. Senior lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Q: What is Rabies and how would I recognise a dog which has got Rabies?

Daily News Reader - Polgolla

A: Rabies is the most important viral infection in dogs. Another fact is that millions of rupees have been spent per year to treat humans who had been bitten by rabid dogs.

It is a very important infection primarily because it is fatal. But it is also a very fragile virus. The moment the virus is exposed to sunlight for around two minutes, it can be destroyed. However, people draw less attention towards this disease and less research is done regarding it. One danger is that we all expect rabid dogs to behave very fiercely and keep running around biting people and dogs.

This is not the case. About 30% to 40% of dogs that are rabid are not furious. They are very calm and quiet. This is another danger as the disease cannot be clearly defined according to the animal's behaviour. The third fact about this disease is that it is not only a problem regarding dogs. It is a disease that can infect any other animal which has warm blood such as cats, monkeys and bats.

The chances of humans getting infected is much more likely when dogs get infected because dogs are more likely to bite people more often than any of the other animals.

It is essential for the virus to be injected into the body of a human or animal through a bite. It is very rare for it to get through the mouth or the eye.

Rabies is a disease which can be prevented easily. Prevention is done at individual dog level where you vaccinate your dog. This is the theory of "Responsible Ownership" that I was referring to, earlier in our discussions. You need to boost and keep on boosting the vaccinations annually.

Presently, the government had taken the necessary steps to reduce the stray dog population and the community dog population because we believe that it is these two types of dogs that are keeping the infections within the society and spreading it to household dogs.

Once bitten by a dog, immediate medical attention is needed. It is also important to give Tetanus Toxicoid to people and dogs. There are different types of vaccinations for humans and dogs. Depending on the vaccinations, the doctors decide different schedules of vaccinations and Tetanus Toxicoid.

If a dog is strongly suspected of being rabid, it is strongly advisable for people and other animals to keep away from the dog. Feed from a distance and watch the animal for 10 to 15 days.

Sometimes there are reports that the animal can be in incubation for a much longer period. The last case of Rabies reported from India states that it was quite a few years after incubation that the rabid dog died.

Is your pet's health becoming a headache for you? Do you have a problem with your pet's behaviourial habits but there is no one to advice you? Well, here is an answer to all your problems.

Your pet - be it a cat, dog, fish or even an elephant - you are welcome to write or even e-mail us to the addresses mentioned above. Dr. Dangolla will be able to provide answers and advise for your benefit at our "Pet Clinic".