Breeders in Rivers Lament as Unused Veterinary Hospital Sits Idle

By Helen Okechukwu for UDEME

Amid challenges faced by breeders, the newly refurbished state-owned veterinary hospital in Rumuodomaya remains underutilized.

AT RUMUAGHAOLU, dog breeders like King David Olawale face challenges due to the absence of functional and affordable veterinary services. The location is at Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Just after a heavy downpour one day in the capital city, Mr. Olawale, a dog breeder, spoke to UDEME about the significant losses he had incurred due to the sad gap in the system.

He said that in 2022, he lost two dogs to a deadly disease called parvovirus.

Olawale noted that Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease which primarily affects dogs, especially puppies, and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

Without timely treatment, a dog’s survival rate is slim.

“My dogs died from the disease after struggling for three to four days,” he recounted.

He added that symptoms of parvo include loss of appetite and unusual bleeding, both of which he observed before the deaths of his pets.

Instead of visiting a veterinary hospital, Olawale sought help from a veterinarian who came to his home.

However, he said the vet only prescribed medication without collecting samples for laboratory testing, leaving the dog owner wondering if more thorough care at a state-run veterinary hospital could have saved his dogs.

The young breeder now takes extensive care of his remaining dogs, cleaning them thrice weekly to prevent disease.

However, his story highlights the broader problem: the absence of an accessible, well-equipped veterinary hospital in Rivers State has left breeders and pet owners like him with limited options.

Struggling Pet Owners

Precious Ibiama, a former pet owner in the state, shares a similar experience.

He once owned four dogs, but after health challenges led to the death of one of his dogs, Blake, he stopped keeping pets in 2023.

She said Blake displayed symptoms of tiredness, vomiting, and difficulty passing faeces, but despite being taken to a private veterinary clinic, the dog died.

“I wasn’t aware the state had a vet hospital. Maybe if I had known, Blake would still be alive,” he said, lamenting the loss.

Ibiama also recalled an incident where his dogs attacked a young boy, sending the child to the hospital with severe bruises. “It was bad,” he admitted, but despite the challenges, he still misses his pets.

He eventually sold the remaining dog, Bean, after realizing that it wasn’t active enough as a security dog.

Expensive, Overburdened Private Clinics

Victor Alex, a dog breeder and owner of Vicson’s Dog Services in Port Harcourt, has long taken pride in the health of his animals.

He admitted that regular vaccinations and a strict cleaning regimen have kept his dogs healthy.

However, like many other breeders, he has faced unexpected challenges due to the lack of a functioning state veterinary hospital.

In 2018, Alex said he boarded a friend’s dog, unknowingly exposing his own pets to ticks.

The situation quickly escalated into tick fever, but with the help of his vet, he was able to treat his dogs.

Still, the cost of treatment left a lasting impact on him, he says. “Private clinics are expensive. A drug I can buy for N5,000 at a chemist costs N25,000 at a vet clinic,” he explained.

Like other breeders, Alex has turned to self-treatment when necessary.

He noted that after his bulldog contracted mange, he purchased an anti-fungal drug from a chemist that worked surprisingly well.

However, he still recalls the painful loss of 11 puppies after their mother failed to lactate, an issue that could have been resolved ”if he had known about a simple injection”.

Long-awaited But Unused Veterinary Hospital

Despite the struggles faced by breeders like Messrs. Olawale, Ibiama and Alex, the state-owned veterinary hospital in Rumuodomaya remains unexploited.

Originally proposed in 2018, the Rivers State Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Laboratory was intended to address the needs of pet owners and breeders across the state.

The project, which was budgeted at N250 million, aims to promote animal health and encourage investment in poultry and animal husbandry.

However, construction only began in 2022, but as of now, the hospital remains non-functional.

Local residents, including the Community Development Chairman (CDC) of Rumuodomaya, Arizuruoke Eberendu, have expressed frustration at the situation.

“We don’t know why it’s not functioning,” Mr. Eberendu said. “They didn’t inform us when they started building, and now it just sits there unused.”

Hospital Covered by Weeds

When UDEME visited the site, the hospital’s exterior showed signs of neglect, with missing letters on the signboard and overgrown grass around the building.

Its gate was locked, and locals confirmed that the facility had never been operational since it was renovated.

Importance of Functional Vet Hospital

A public health expert, Dr. Fidelis Eze, spoke on the serious consequences of the hospital’s non-usage.

“When the state veterinary clinic is not active, it poses a big threat. Most of the labs here are designed for human health, and they don’t know how to handle animal diseases. This makes it hard to detect and control illnesses in pets and livestock,” he bemoaned.

Dr. Eze highlighted the importance of having a functional veterinary hospital, particularly in identifying and controlling zoonotic diseases like anthrax, avian flu, and African swine fever.

He stressed that without proper veterinary care, animal deaths will continue, and the state’s food chain could be compromised.

Calls for Government Action

For breeders and pet owners in Rivers State, the veterinary hospital’s opening is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a matter of necessity.

“We need the government to step in and make the state hospital affordable and operational. Private clinics are too expensive, and we need more options,” Mr Alex urged.

Until the hospital is opened, breeders like Alex will continue to rely on expensive private care or self-treatment.

However, the need for affordable, professional veterinary services in Rivers State remains urgent, and pet owners are calling on the government to act swiftly.

“The Rivers State Veterinary Hospital, when opened, could significantly reduce the mortality rate of pets and livestock by providing professional care at affordable rates,” said Dr Eze.

Visit to Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture

On August 26, UDEME visited the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture to submit an FOI request to ascertain why the hospital had not been open for use. However, it learned that the Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, was away.

A few days later, on August 31, UDEME sent an SMS to Dr. Godswill Ukoikpoko, Director of Livestock and Veterinary Service, to inquire about the delayed use of the state veterinary hospital and the project’s awarded amount.

On September 2, he told UDEME via phone call that he could only grant an interview with approval from his ‘superiors’.

“I received your message, but as a civil servant, I need clearance from the permanent secretary or commissioner before speaking. Once they approve, I will provide the information you need,” he said via phone.

Pending Response on FOI Request

One week later, on September 3, UDEME returned to follow up on the FOI request.

Richard Gawa, Secretary to the Commissioner, confirmed it was still awaiting the commissioner’s attention.

“The commissioner is yet to attend to your letter; he’s still away,” Mr Gawa stated.

This report was supported with funding from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)