Horse undergoes rare surgery at free veterinary camp in Padra

Vadodara: A horse underwent a rare surgery for rectovaginal fistula (RVF) at a free veterinary camp held in Tithor village of Padra taluka on Sunday. The camp was organised by the Vadodara Veterinary Society (VVS) to provide medical treatment and surgeries for animals in both rural and urban areas at no cost.
RVF is a condition where an abnormal connection forms between the rectum and the vagina, leading to leakage of fecal matter and gas into the vaginal passage—an uncommon and serious condition in animals.
"The idea behind organising such camps is to ensure that animals get proper treatment, especially in rural areas where owners may not be aware of the diseases or avoid treatment due to the high cost," said Dr Ashwini Patel, veterinary officer from Sokhda. "That's why VVS organised the camp, where senior and experienced veterinary doctors provided treatment and performed surgeries on several animals," Patel told TOI.
The camp drew a large turnout, with 91 cases registered in a single day. "We carried out over 36 surgeries, including 55 gynaecological procedures in cattle," said Dr N. M. Patel, vice-president of VVS.
Among the notable surgeries was a panhysterectomy — the complete removal of the uterus — performed on a goat, and the successful removal of two tumours from a guinea pig.
In addition to Dr Ashwini Patel, the camp was supported by senior veterinary surgeons Dr M. K. Tadvi, Dr R. S. Purohit, Dr Jignesh Vachhani, and Dr J. J. Parmar.
"People came from remote villages with their animals, hoping for help. The procedures we carry out here are usually expensive, but we offer them for free to serve the community," said Dr Patel. "We also make sure to vaccinate all small pets that come to the camp."