Diary of a Veterinarian

Diary of a Veterinarian If the word Dynamic can be described in another word, Then Veterinary Medicine would be the phrase.

The wide patient range, the different experiences with the patient & client. Too many to be .painted This is just a window into that world of a Vet.

Rabies remains one of the most preventable yet devastating diseases affecting our communities.Following the tragic death...
13/03/2026

Rabies remains one of the most preventable yet devastating diseases affecting our communities.

Following the tragic death of a two-year-old child from rabies in Nyimba last year, my team and I have been working with partners to mobilise a coordinated response in the district.

I am encouraged by the growing support this effort has received. The initiative has been strengthened by encouragement at the highest level of leadership, including the continued national commitment to public health under President Hakainde Hichilema, as well as the support and solidarity of professional bodies such as the Veterinary Association of Zambia.

Through the collective efforts of partners and institutions, we have so far been able to mobilise approximately 3,500 rabies vaccines for Nyimba District, an important step toward strengthening rabies prevention and control.

We have also had the privilege of engaging colleagues from the International Rabies Taskforce, including teams from Mission Rabies - Worldwide Veterinary Service, the US CDC, the Directorate of Veterinary Services, and the Zambia National Public Health Institute as we explore ways to strengthen coordination, surveillance, and vaccination monitoring.

This experience continues to highlight an important truth: ending rabies requires sustained collaboration between veterinary services, public health authorities, communities, and development partners.

While much work still lies ahead, the progress made so far demonstrates what is possible when institutions and individuals come together around a shared goal.

With continued cooperation and commitment, we can move closer to the global target of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.

This morning started in a boardroom and ended at a fish pond.I had an important administrative meeting earlier today and...
10/03/2026

This morning started in a boardroom and ended at a fish pond.

I had an important administrative meeting earlier today and was dressed for paperwork and policy discussions. While in the meeting, I received an emergency call from one of my clients about a possible water quality problem affecting fish in a pond. Like most days in veterinary practice, plans had to change quickly.

On the way to the farm, the driver mentioned he needed to pick up two children from school. Rather than delay the response to the farm, we picked them up and continued together.

When we arrived, I invited them to observe what a typical field response can look like, monitoring the pond, examining fish, and conducting postmortems to understand what might be going wrong.

What struck me most was their curiosity. They asked thoughtful questions and showed genuine interest in the process. It reminded me how fascinating science and veterinary medicine can be when someone sees it up close for the first time.

Today was a small reminder that sometimes the most meaningful moments in our work are the unexpected ones, when knowledge is shared, curiosity is sparked, and young minds get a glimpse into how problems are solved in the real world.

From boardroom discussions to muddy boots at the ponds, such is the life of a veterinarian.

07/03/2026

Nine years ago, a few of us were running up and down the corridors at the University of Zambia Veterinary Students Association trying to organise what would become the first Veterinary White Coat Ceremony.

This week, I had the rare privilege of returning, not as a student organiser, but to deliver the keynote address to a new generation of veterinary students.

Standing there was surreal. I found myself sitting on a panel with people who shaped my own journey: Prof. Mwape who taught me Equine Surgery and Medicine, Prof. Muzhandu who lectured me in Pharmacology, and Dr. Given Sakajilla with whom we once hatched the idea of the White Coat Ceremony while serving in the student association.

At one point during my interaction with the students, a realisation hit me, many of the young men and women receiving their white coats were in Grade 2 back in 2013, the very year I first reported to UNZA as a veterinary student. Time has a way of humbling you like that.

In my address I encouraged them to embrace volunteering as a tool for service and networking, to seek clinical exposure early, and to remember that animal welfare is not merely a course they will pass, but the ethical foundation of the profession they are entering.

I also shared a lighter memory from my own campus days, how packed veterinary school life could be. At one point my girlfriend complained that the only time I seemed available to see her was in the evenings and jokingly asked, “Are we vampires that we only meet at night?” Veterinary school will do that to you.

Seeing the White Coat Ceremony now firmly established as part of the culture of the School of Veterinary Medicine was deeply fulfilling. What started as an idea among students years ago has grown into a meaningful tradition welcoming each new cohort into the profession.

Moments like these remind you that the profession is a living story, one generation learning from the last, and then passing the coat forward.

And yes… I suppose this officially means some of us are fossils now.

But proud ones.

World Wildlife DayYesterday, we celebrated the beauty, resilience, and importance of wildlife from elephants and big cat...
04/03/2026

World Wildlife Day
Yesterday, we celebrated the beauty, resilience, and importance of wildlife from elephants and big cats to the often-overlooked scavengers that quietly maintain the balance of our ecosystems.
Working in the wildlife sector has taught me one critical lesson: conservation is never a one-man mission.
Whether it is the wildlife police officer on patrol, the government shaping policy, donors providing resources, NGOs implementing conservation programs, researchers generating data, or private entities supporting sustainable practices , every role matters. None of us can do it alone.
The most effective conservation efforts happen when stakeholders sit at the same table, align their vision, and move forward together. One organisation’s work does not diminish another’s — it strengthens the collective impact.
On this World Wildlife Day, let us remember that protecting wildlife is not just about animals. It is about ecosystems, livelihoods, tourism, national heritage, and the future of our planet.
Conservation is collaboration. Conservation is responsibility. Conservation is legacy.

This past week in Nyimba, I was reminded that real impact happens when people decide to act together.Following a tragic ...
25/02/2026

This past week in Nyimba, I was reminded that real impact happens when people decide to act together.
Following a tragic rabies- human toddler related death, we’ve managed to mobilise 3,500 rabies vaccines for the district, thanks to committed partners and teams who understood the urgency and showed up.
Big appreciation to NOAH's Ark Veterinary Services and all partners who have been responsive and supportive not just in words, but in action.
We met with the District Commissioner, Council leadership, veterinary teams, public health officers, wildlife and disaster management colleagues to plan awareness, vaccination, and follow-up. Working groups are now in place, and the district is taking ownership of the process.
There’s still work ahead but the campaign is moving forward.
Rabies is preventable.
Communities deserve protection.
And when systems work together, lives can be saved.
🙏🐕💉

I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Chaza, a towering figure, a Hercules in his own right. A fully fledged veterinary gra...
15/02/2026

I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Chaza, a towering figure, a Hercules in his own right. A fully fledged veterinary graduate who has successfully diversified into an entirely different operational space, now leading a security company and providing professional security at major events.
To my junior graduates, I urge you to be industrious.
Yes, government cannot employ everyone.
But you must know this: your BVM is more than a qualification.
It is a passport, an insurance policy, and a life assurance document.
It does not belong to an institution or an association.
You earned it with your blood and sweat.
Be industrious.
Be innovative.
Be creative.
Seek out seniors who are doing well, humble yourselves, and serve under them.
As we correct what must be corrected and implement Presidential directives, do not sit idle, build yourselves.

Productive engagements this week as we continue refining a One Health aligned approach to rabies prevention in Zambia.Gr...
07/02/2026

Productive engagements this week as we continue refining a One Health aligned approach to rabies prevention in Zambia.
Grateful for the opportunity to engage with technical partners and stakeholders, whose insights are helping strengthen the design, data systems, and sustainability of upcoming field interventions.
Encouraging to see growing alignment around evidence-based, collaborative responses that protect human health, animal health, and biodiversity.
More to come as the work progresses.

Hello corporate. It's us, Noah's Ark Veterinary Services.
24/01/2026

Hello corporate.
It's us, Noah's Ark Veterinary Services.

Earlier today, as I passed through the University of Zambia Veterinary School during our ongoing efforts towards the man...
14/01/2026

Earlier today, as I passed through the University of Zambia Veterinary School during our ongoing efforts towards the management of rabies at the Human–Wildlife–Domestic Animal interface, under the banner of Zero Rabies 2030 Zambia, I walked past Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Human and Animals (ACEIDHA) building that has, over time, become something of a shrine to me.
The mere sight of it evokes the memory of the pioneer behind much of this work, my former Infectious Diseases professor, the late Prof. Aaron Mweene.
He was the man who taught us the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and transmission dynamics of this neglected tropical disease. Even today, almost a decade after his passing, rabies, an entirely preventable disease, continues to claim lives, particularly among toddlers and adolescents. It remains firmly at the centre of public health discourse, especially in rural Zambia and at the complex interface between wildlife, humans, and domestic animals, where reports of exposure continue to emerge.
When I shared these reflections with a colleague, he responded with words that resonated deeply:
“Time spoke and all moments were dictated, Doc… a pleasure that we fed our ears when his soul spoke his passion.”
— Dr. Sanford N’gandu
Indeed, we were a special group privileged to have learned under him within those brown, pan-brick walls of the Veterinary School. His passion was not merely taught; it was transmitted, much like the very diseases he trained us to understand and combat.
Continue to rest in peace, Prof. Aaron Mweene.
Your legacy lives on, in policy, in practice, and in every life saved.

Policy-adjacent actors.Engaging at the intersection of conservation, wildlife stewardship, and public service - It was a...
08/01/2026

Policy-adjacent actors.

Engaging at the intersection of conservation, wildlife stewardship, and public service -
It was a rare honor representing our Practice on National level, and good times catching up with Fellow Wildlife Practictioners and sector players from across the Country at "ZAWA" HQ.

04/01/2026

Case Insight - Lion Health & Welfare

On New Year’s Day, we managed a clinical case involving a lion (Panthera leo) that presented with perineal swelling, straining during defecation, and a strong, abnormal odour within the enclosure, features consistent with a**l sac disease, a condition that is well documented but often under recognised in Lions (owing to their secretive behavior when defecating).
For sanctuary managers, zoo operators, and large carnivore custodians, this is an important reminder that subtle changes in defecation behaviour, posture, or enclosure odour can be early indicators of discomfort or underlying pathology, the more reason why such behaviors must always be documented, recorded and reported in good time.
In this case, a decision was made to intervene using established veterinary management protocols, with careful consideration given to minimizing unnecessary chemical immobilization and of course personnel care MUST always be primary in operations. The intervention was successful and uncomplicated.

Post care included anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy, and the animal is expected to make a full recovery.

A**l sac disorders have been described in dogs (especially small and medium breeds, including Chihuahas, Jack russels and large cats alike (lions, tigers and leopards), and their management is well outlined in standard references such as Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine and the Merck Veterinary Manual. Early recognition and timely veterinary involvement are key to preventing the otherwise manageable condition from progressing into complex stages such as abscessation, chronic pain, or secondary complications.
Procedural details are intentionally omitted to prevent inappropriate application outside professional veterinary practice.
For wildlife facilities, sanctuaries, and private custodians, this case highlights the importance of:
1. Close daily observation - these observations have to be done by competent individuals familiar with the behavior of lions and recorded - record keeping, however cumbersome, can never be over emphasized!!!
you can never evaluate what's not measured and/or recorded!
2. Prompt veterinary consultation
3. Context specific clinical decision-making, we kinda had a plethora of Differentialdiagnoses which included neoplasia, But hey?!, we settled for, "if it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, swims like a duck, what do you call it?" In this case "our duck" was A**l Gland Sacculitis.
4. Sound medicine, good restraint planning abd personnel safety, and early action remain central to animal welfare, and of course this can never excuse personnel safety and health during intervention.

Status update: "Feline" Good with the rather upset Feline.Thomas - Stores Cat Recieving the yearly 3 in 1 and Rabies inj...
28/11/2025

Status update:
"Feline" Good with the rather upset Feline.
Thomas - Stores Cat Recieving the yearly 3 in 1 and Rabies injections.
Tom wasn't having any of it from his facial expression.

Side note: A 3-in-1 jab for cats, also known as the Felocel/FVRCP vaccine, contains protection against three highly contagious and potentially life-threatening viral diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia. These diseases are common and can cause a range of symptoms, primarily affecting the respiratory system and the digestive tract.

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