By Katherine J Gau | Director
Our 9th Annual Veterinary Clinic held at Mswati High School on Nov 15, 2025 provided veterinary services to 71 dogs & cats (43 clinical and 28 surgery) combined with animal care education to 52 people.
Slightly less than previous years due to the date being shifted twice due to Foot & Mouth outbreak - but still an impressive number that also provides a positive demonstration to neighbours.
Forward planning is critical - hence our “tried and tested” duty stations;
1. Front Desk - Registered animals tagged, rabies vaccination given, animals sprayed for ticks and fleas, attending to unregistered animals at the back of the line.
2. Clinical - Comprehensive medical check up with treatments as needed. This includes patiently explaining treatments given and answering a wide range of questions about dog & cat care.
3. Pre surgery - Animals registered for surgery are first assessed if they are healthy enough, then weighed, given anaesthetics and shaved. The amount of anaesthetic given is tricky - factoring in animal health, enough to stay under during surgery and recovery, not so much that animal wakes hours later.
4. Surgery - Spay or neuter. It is impressive to watch the Vets work as a team to handle whatever arises. Our goal is to have available all the tools and drugs that might be needed, yet within a reasonable budget.
5. Recovery - Each animal needs to be monitored for distress and action taken if needed. We also give outstanding vaccinations and treatments. As dogs wake up and find their feet it can become a bit chaotic.
6. Discharge - Medicine and instructions are given as needed. Each person takes home a small packet of dog food and is reminded to come back in two weeks for check up and stitches out.
The day is always long plus last year it was extra hot and humid - just after clean up the rain poured down!
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It is time now to turn our attention to our 2026 Annual Veterinary Clinic - Step #1 is to reconfirm with the Veterinary Association.
Your support it what allows us to forward plan in a manner that continues to bring much needed veterinary services and related education to rural Eswatini. By the number of inquires we receive your impact is obvious.
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VUSUMNOTFO - Parenting for a Sustainable Future™
Our Mission - To reverse dependency - we strengthen child development and learning practices in 17 Swazi communities
Our Motto - Do what you can, with what you have, now
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Early Childhood Programme - tackling insufficient understanding of how young children develop and learning, including factors that influence this
Activity 1.1. Parenting - ii) conduct a veterinary clinic annually, to promote animal care as a positive demonstration of responsibility and empathy to children
By Goodman Sibusiso Mkhonta | Vusumnotfo staff member & Mavula community member
By Katherine Gau | Vusumnotfo Director
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