Content continues after advertisement

Small Animal Practice in Nigeria: The Art of Improvisation

Olatunji Nasir, DMV, MVsc (Surger), MCVSN, Lagos State, Nigeria

Sign in to Print/View PDF

With a range and high level of services, this hospital seeks to provide care that is beyond the scope of typical practices, with a goal of enhancinganimal welfare and professional competency in the region.

Truthmiles Animal Hospital is a small animal veterinary clinic located in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, in southwestern Nigeria. It was established July 1, 2004, with the vision of becoming the best veterinary care provider in Nigeria, with outstanding application of knowledge, impeccable service delivery, and devotion to patients and clients. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays, the hospital is co-owned by Olatunji Nasir, DVM, MVsc (Surgery), MCVSN, and Abimbola Oshin, DVM, MS, MBA, MRCVS, DACVS, DECVS, who just bought into the practice. The team consists of 5 full-time veterinarians and 6 technicians.

A Gamut of Services

Our services include: surgery; reproductive and wellness clinics; emergency/critical care; immunologic services provided in concert with Biogal-Galed Labs in Israel; allergy testing in collaboration with Spectrum Labs, Arizona, United States; diagnostic imaging (eg, ultrasonography, radiology); and nutritional, grooming, ambulatory, and laboratory services (eg, dermatology, fecal microscopy, urinalysis, blood cytology, vaginal cytology). Hematology and full blood chemistry, previously outsourced to a diagnostic facility next door, will be provided in-house as of the first quarter of 2016. Boarding facilities are also available. In Nigeria, such ancillary services are vital to the survival of any veterinary hospital. Truthmiles, which offers advanced knowledge and equipment not found in other veterinary clinics in the region, is also a referral center for surgical and complex clinical cases.

Clinician's Brief

Continuing education is made available for practicing/resident veterinarians through the founding owner, who brings in experts in various fields of veterinary practice from within and outside the country. The facility has recently begun providing a learning ground for veterinary students as well, with more than 50 students enlisted to date. The Truthmiles team members are masters in improvisationdoing what is necessary to promote state-of-the-art practice.

The Nature of Care

Apart from preventive care (eg, vaccinations, deworming, routine examination), our caseload includes babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, which are endemic as a result of inadequate ectoparasite control. Parvoviral enteritis is also common because of lack of vaccination and slack biosecurity measures in the region. Awareness of skin tumors and general dermatologic issues (eg, various forms of dermatitis) is increasing. Gastrointestinal disorders and toxicoses are also seen. Rabies is a major public health concern. Every dog within the Nigerian territory must be vaccinated annually, so related traffic is usually great.

Clinician's Brief

Culture

In Nigeria, high-net-worth individuals and expatriates consider pets part of the family and are willing to go the extra mile in terms of their medical care. Breeders, too, consider broad medical care important; they realize revenue from selling puppies and would do anything to protect their breeding stock.

Clinician's Brief

Because of cost, the average Nigerian limits pet medical care to routine vaccinations and deworming, which are viewed as necessary because of legal issues that could arise from failing to secure these services. Although Nigerian law protects animal welfare, enforcement is poor. Combined with the social belief that places animals far below humans in status, public opinion regarding the importance of veterinarians is low. Recent activities and increased visibility of professional veterinary associations such as the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and Small Animal Veterinary Association, Nigeria (SAVAN) are gradually changing this perception.

Nevertheless, all of these factorscombined with the concerns of poverty and lack of adequate institutional supporttranslate to a situation in which the typical small animal veterinarian struggles to deliver expected services to clients who contest the smallest of bills. It is still incomprehensible to most clients why they should pay what is required for veterinary services. This public attitude means that diagnostics are typically declined and pets bear the consequences. In a vicious cycle, veterinarians do not feel the need to acquire complex equipment. There is, however, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel as the emerging middle class begins to have an effect on demands and attitudes.

Clinician's Brief

Nigerian pet owners more widely embrace neutering in male dogs than in females because of the assumption that males become more docile once castrated. Spaying is mostly used therapeutically for pyometra; the average Nigerian owner wants puppies from his bitch.

Clinician's Brief

Euthanasia is not readily accepted by clients, who consider it murder. Letting go in terminal cases or when medical bills will be unacceptably high is a concept that we need to discuss at length with our clients.

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be found here.

All Clinician's Brief content is reviewed for accuracy at the time of publication. Previously published content may not reflect recent developments in research and practice.

Material from Clinician's Brief may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in whole or in part without prior permission of Educational Concepts, LLC. For questions or inquiries please contact us.


This article is published as part of the Global Edition of Clinician's Brief. Through partnership with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, the Global Edition provides educational resources to practitioners around the world.

Podcasts

Clinician's Brief:
The Podcast
Listen as host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with the authors of your favorite Clinician’s Brief articles. Dig deeper and explore the conversations behind the content here.
Clinician's Brief provides relevant diagnostic and treatment information for small animal practitioners. It has been ranked the #1 most essential publication by small animal veterinarians for 9 years.*

*2007-2017 PERQ and Essential Media Studies

© 2023 Educational Concepts, L.L.C. dba Brief Media ™ All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions | DMCA Copyright | Privacy Policy | Acceptable Use Policy