The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has mobilized 105 paraveterinarians to provide support to animal raisers affected by the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.

As of Monday, December 16, about 26,000 animals have fallen ill due to the effects of the volcanic eruption, showing symptoms of respiratory and digestive diseases.

Dr. Placeda Lemana, the provincial veterinarian, underscored the importance of the paraveterinarians’ role in assessing the damage and addressing the urgent needs of livestock owners in the third, fourth and fifth districts of the province.

“The PVO mobilized 105 paraveterinarians to further assess the damage and identify the immediate needs of the affected animal raisers in the third, fourth and fifth districts,” Lemana said.

Data showed affected were animals in the cities of Bago and La Carlota as well as in the municipalities of La Castellana, Pontevedra and Murcia.

These include 22,250 poultry, 1,246 swines, 1,062 carabaos, 603 goats, 320 ducks, 284 dogs, 183 cattle, and 58 cats.

Two veterinarians have also been assigned to assist in operating the Animal Rescue Center in Barangay 1, Moises Padilla and the designated area for rescued animals at a college oval in Barangay Robles, La Castellana.

As part of the response, the PVO turned over vitamins and supplements, antibiotics, biologics, wound sprays and other veterinary supplies to the cities of Bago and La Carlota and the towns of La Castellana and Moises Padilla.

It also lent 12 pet carriers to Bago City for use during animal transportation from affected areas to the evacuation center. (PNA)