Like many places worldwide, Malawi is in lockdown. Our veterinary team in Blantyre is taking every precaution to ensure their safety whilst they continue to attend to emergency cases. With only two staff members in the clinic, two in the shelter and one manning the phones from home, the team has been as busy as ever, but a lifeline for animals like ‘Thuffy.’
Thuffy is a Boerboel, also known as a South African mastiff, who was brought to the clinic mid labour. She had given birth to two puppies at home but had then stopped. By the time she arrived at the clinic, 28 hours later, she wasn’t making any effort to continue pushing. An x-ray and ultrasound by Dr Dagmar showed there was one puppy left inside and its heart was beating.
Dr Dagmar induced contractions with oxytocin but sadly, Thuffy didn’t have the energy to push. It became clear the mother and puppy may be in a dangerous situation. The team acted quickly to open up Thuffy and deliver the last puppy via emergency caesarean.
Thirty hours after the first two puppies were born, the team delivered the third and final puppy of the litter. He was a big beautiful boy who, as soon as he could, let out a very loud, hungry cry. The team let him drink some much-needed milk, whilst Dr Dagmar stitched up his mother.
Thuffy recovered very quickly from the surgery and was happy to return home, with all three pups!
The clinic and shelter in Blantyre provides free veterinary care and community support, in one of the poorest countries in the world. Even more so during the pandemic, the team's efforts to mend broken bones, treat diseases and infections, administer vaccines and so much more, not only helps animals like Thuffy, but supports the health, well-being and livelihoods of the local people.
It’s your donations that make this lifesaving work possible. If you can, our field teams would greatly appreciate your support right now. Any amount helps.