Provision Of Veterinary Services Research Articles

Life with pets study: lower income veterinary clients' perception of pets' quality of life.

Perception of quality of life for cats and dogs of low-income Spanish and English-speaking veterinary clients attending problem focused or routine veterinary visits is an important area of focus for community based veterinary service providers. Using a qualitative approach, 50 New York City based American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) veterinary clients completed semi-structured interviews as well as a survey about their perception of life with their pets. Veterinary clients shared both human-animal bond (HAB) related and quality of life (QoL) related factors in their daily experience of life with their pets. Results indicated that this demographic perceives QoL similarly to previous QoL research that either does not report sample demographics or reports sample demographics with more affluence. Moreover, 60% of qualitative excerpts included both HAB and QoL themes and 40% were discretely HAB or QoL. An analog single item 10-point scale measuring veterinary client perception of their pets QoL did not differentiate between sample demographics at a statistically significant level. Finally, pet QoL literature has not traditionally reflected diverse demographic identities of veterinary clients or widely included reliable and valid measures of the human-animal bond (HAB). These results support the importance of measuring the HAB when researching pet QoL and provide evidence that lower-income Spanish and English-speaking veterinary clients are similarly bonded and attentive to their pets as other demographics.

Factors associated with adherence to the principles of responsible companion animal guardianship in a municipality in southeastern Brazil

Responsible companion animal guardianship (RCAG) covers aspects that are relevant to both animal and human health. Understanding the factors associated with adherence to RCAG principles can guide accountability, animal welfare and disease control. The present observational study describes the level of adherence to RCAG by guardians living in a medium-sized Brazilian municipality and identifies the factors associated with inadequate guardianship. Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected guardians of 704 dogs. The binary outcome of the study, namely more and less adequate compliers to RCAG principles, was analyzed using a score list comprising eight variables relating to the care provided to the dogs, namely provision of veterinary services, vaccination against rabies, deworming, no access to the streets without supervision, walking with guardian, dog freedom at home, registration (microchipping) and satisfactory food supply. Factors possibly associated with less adequate adherence to RCAG by the guardian, such as socioeconomic and cultural features of the guardians, characteristics of the dogs and attributes of the guardian-animal interactions, were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. The RCAG actions least adopted by guardians were animal registration, provision of veterinary care, walking with the dog and preventing access of the dogs to the streets without supervision. Individuals who cared for a single dog, a mixed breed dog or had previously lost a dog were less likely to show adequate adherence to RCAG. Conversely, guardians who owned cars, acquired dogs as puppies, lived in households with a maximum of four residents, cared for a sterilized dog or thought that caring for a dog was easier than (or as) expected, had a higher chance of showing adequate adherence to RCAG. The results verify that the socioeconomic and behavioral characteristic of guardians must be taken into consideration for understanding the adherence to RCAG. In addition, it is important to facilitate access to veterinary services and to raise awareness about the significance of a safe and healthy environment for companion animals.

Exploring the Experiences of Visiting Veterinary Service Providers in Indigenous Communities in Canada: Proposing Strategies to Support Pre-Clinical Preparation

Many Indigenous communities in Canada lack access to veterinary services due to geography, affordability, and acceptability. These barriers negatively affect the health of animals, communities, and human–animal relationships. Canadian veterinary colleges offer veterinary services to Indigenous communities through fourth-year veterinary student rotations. Ensuring that the students and other volunteer veterinary service providers (VSP) are adequately prepared to provide contextually and culturally appropriate care when working with Indigenous peoples has not been explicitly addressed in the literature. We explored the experiences of VSP delivering services in unfamiliar cultural and geographic settings and identified: what pre-clinic training was most helpful, common challenges experienced, and personal and professional impacts on participants. Fifty-two VSP (veterinarians, animal health technicians and veterinary students) who participated in clinical rotations offered by five Canadian veterinary colleges between 2014 and 2022 completed online surveys. Respondents shared their pre-clinic expectations, sense of preparedness to practice in a remote Indigenous community, their clinical and community experiences, and any personal and professional impacts from the experience. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Respondents highlighted which pre-clinic training was most valuable and what they felt unprepared for. Community infrastructure and resources were concerns and many felt unprepared for the relational and communication barriers that arose. VSP were uncomfortable practicing along a spectrum of care with limited clinical resources. Many VSP identified positive personal and professional impacts. Our findings suggest that pre-clinic orientations focused on contextual care in limited resource settings could better prepare VSP to serve underserved Indigenous communities.

Declining engagement of veterinary services in Australian animal production systems: why has this occurred and what are the risks?

The provision of veterinary services is essential to deliver animal health and welfare outcomes, but over the last several decades demand for veterinary services in animal production systems has broadly declined in Australia. Reduced demand is closely related to a decline in the size of the production animal veterinary workforce, and there is evidence that the percentage of veterinarians participating in the delivery of veterinary services to animal production systems has lessened. Reduced demand for veterinary services in the production animal sector is likely to be attributed to several factors, including challenges around widespread adoption of preventive veterinary services, improved self-efficacy of producers through advancement of knowledge, and potential concern by producers over the role of veterinarians in production animal systems. Declining veterinary engagement results in increased risk at both the individual farm level (diminished expertise to deliver reactive and proactive veterinary services) and at a population level (increased biosecurity risk and risk to social licence to operate). The current environment and the community trust in the profession should be seen as an opportunity to develop and implement a strategy to halt and reverse the decline in demand for production animal veterinary services. Such a strategy will require significant and sustained collaboration between the veterinary profession, Industry and government.

Provision of veterinary services in livestock holdings in the Russian Federation

Being the primary link in the disease notification system, specialists of the veterinary service in livestock holdings ensure continuous monitoring and control of animal health. This analysis includes assessment of the actual availability of veterinary services in the absolute majority of animal holdings in 85 Subjects of the Russian Federation. In total, the study covered 6,226,368 holdings for major livestock species, such as cattle and small ruminants, pigs, poultry, horses and fur animals. Small-scale holdings have been shown to account for the largest proportion (99.7%) of the total number of livestock farms, while the proportion of holdings where animal health control is daily organized has varied from 0.03% in fur farms to 3% in poultry farms. The significant role of animal owners in small-scale holdings within the implementation of epizootological surveillance has been determined. It was revealed that the main populations of pigs, poultry and fur animals are concentrated in large-scale livestock farms. The study results indicate a relatively favorable situation in pig and poultry holdings, where only single cases of lack of veterinary service were reported. On the contrary there are multiple cases of lack of veterinary care in the farms for rearing cattle, small ruminants, fur animals. The paper highlights the mechanisms for the implementation of tasks assigned to the state veterinary service in terms of the organization of planned preventive and diagnostic veterinary measures in large pig breeding establishments. Proposals were made to introduce a legally fixed obligation for animal owners in large-scale livestock holdings to establish and maintain the production veterinary service, as well as a proposal to establish divisions of the state veterinary service in large-scale livestock establishments.

Enhancing Veterinary Services for Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe: A Comprehensive Literature Review

In Zimbabwe, the smallholder farming sector holds over 90% of the country's livestock, playing a vital role in the rural economy. However, low productivity and livestock offtake persist due to various challenges, primarily stemming from animal diseases. This literature review examines veterinary services provision in the smallholder sector, focusing on the Zimbabwean context. Through a desktop review of published literature, the study investigates the evolution of veterinary services for smallholder farmers, the key actors involved, and their interactions. It also explores the challenges faced by farmers in accessing veterinary services and identify the gaps in and scope of service provision with a view to identifying ways of improving service delivery. The study showed that the arrangements for provision of veterinary services to the smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe was inadequate. The findings highlight the critical need for an integrated approach to service delivery, involving state veterinary services, the private sector, and community-based animal health workers. The paper concludes by offering recommendations on specific roles of each service provider within an integrated system to enhance service provision in the smallholder sector. This research contributes to the understanding of effective veterinary services and their role in supporting agricultural growth in Zimbabwe.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Preference for Veterinary Service Providers in Zimbabwe

Animal diseases pose significant challenges to livestock production in Zimbabwe's smallholder sector. This study analyzed the variables influencing smallholder farmers' preferences for veterinary service providers. Data from a mixed-method approach, including a questionnaire (N=382), focus group discussions (N=8), interviews (N=16), and observations, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression. The findings revealed that access to veterinary services is complex and context-dependent, influenced by factors such as experiences, age, proximity to the provider, communication, remittances, satisfaction, repeat treatments, socioeconomic status, historical dynamics, and access to subsidized drugs. Government veterinary services, private sector entities, and Community Animal Health Workers played critical roles in the provision of veterinary services. Better coordination among the different service provides could enable provision of cost-effective services. The study highlights the multifaceted nature of smallholder farmers' decision-making, emphasizing the importance of situational factors and collaboration among service providers to meet their diverse needs effectively. These insights inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing strategies to enhance veterinary services in Zimbabwe's smallholder communities, ultimately improving livestock productivity and welfare.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Preference for Veterinary Services Providers in Zimbabwe

Animal diseases pose significant challenges to livestock production in Zimbabwe's smallholder sector. This study analyzed the variables influencing smallholder farmers' preferences for veterinary service providers. Data from a mixed-method approach, including a questionnaire (N=382), focus group discussions (N=106), interviews (N=16), and observations, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression. The findings revealed that access to veterinary services is complex and context-dependent, influenced by factors such as experiences, age, proximity to the provider, communication, remittances, satisfaction, repeat treatments, socioeconomic status, historical dynamics, and access to subsidized drugs. Government veterinary services, private sector entities, and Community Animal Health Workers played critical roles, with coordination enabling cost-effective services. The study highlights the multifaceted nature of smallholder farmers' decision-making, emphasizing the importance of situational factors and collaboration among service providers to meet their diverse needs effectively. These insights inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing strategies to enhance veterinary services in Zimbabwe's smallholder communities, ultimately improving livestock productivity and welfare.

A Study on the Training Needs of Veterinary Officers Working in Andhra Pradesh, India

The quality of the animal health care services delivered depends on the Knowledge and Skill updation of the qualified veterinary service providers (Veterinary Officers- VO). This study was aimed at studying the Training Need Assessment (TNA) of the VO’s in Andhra Pradesh. A survey was conducted through Google forms in a structured interview schedule by electronically, from 130 veterinary Officers working under state government of Andhra Pradesh. Data was collected through Gmail and WhatsApp, regarding the training needs of VO’s on different parameters covering different major subject areas of field importance and was presented in means and percentages. Most of the respondents were Males (74%) with an average experience in the field is 10 years and majority of them attended 8 subject related trainings in their service. Majority opined that they need training on Blood sample examination (72%), Sheep farming(65%), Ethno veterinary medicine (85%), Skill in surgical operations (86%), Infertility cases therapeutics (84%), Metabolic diseases (75%), Service rules and regulations (97%) and Complete feed preparation (79%). Majority of the respondents needed such trainings once in six months (68%), to be conducted as three day residential (57%) including much practical aspects (92%). Provision of the adequate resources and support by the public and private stakeholders for organizing need based trainings to the Veterinary Officers will help in achieving the knowledge updation of the field veterinarians.

A pilot survey on factors limiting veterinary service delivery systems at animal health facilities in Hawassa, Shashemene, and Negele Arsi, Ethiopia

A pilot questionnaire survey was carried out from December 2021 to June 2022 at animal health facilities in Hawassa city and Shashemene and Negele Arsi towns in Ethiopia. The objective of the survey was to determine what factors in the study area limited the provision of veterinary services at animal health facilities like veterinary clinics, veterinary pharmacies, and veterinary administrative offices. Government veterinary staff, clinical veterinarians, and private veterinary pharmacists were purposefully chosen based on their availability at each study area, whereas livestock owners (clients) were chosen at random at the point of service. A semi-structured questionnaire with multiple-choice and open-ended questions was administered to 100 study participants. It was discovered that the public sector was generally preferred by 74% of livestock owners and the private sector was preferred by 26%. In terms of infrastructurecoverage, the current animal health service delivery system was found to be deficient (35.7%). Drug shortages were a major problem for most public veterinary service providers (66.7%), while expensive drug prices were a problem for private veterinary service providers (34.0%). Additionally, it was determined that poor management (57.1%), a lack of funding (14.3%), a lack of commitment (28.6%), and a lack of attention to the veterinary sector (78.6%) were among the factors that hindered the provision of proper veterinary services in these areas. To carry out efficient veterinary clinical activities, the existing public veterinary institutions should be given sufficient financial resources,qualified personnel, and physical resources.

Sustainable Improvement Alternatives to Animal Health Service Delivery Constraints in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District of the Upper West Region of Ghana

Livestock production plays a key role in the livelihoods of rural people, serving as a source of employment, income, food, and security against the uncertainties of crop production. Yet delivering quality, affordable, and sustainable animal health services remains a major constraint in developing countries, including Ghana. This study explores the sustainable improvement alternatives to animal health service delivery constraints in Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, Ghana. A total of 150 livestock farmers were randomly selected from fifteen communities and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS/IBM) version 20.0 was used to compute all descriptive statistical variables. Chi square analysis was done to check for the effect of some variables on others at a significant level of 5%. The study showed that 42.7% of the respondents were between 46-60 years. However, age had no influence on veterinary service patronage (X=8.672, df=3, p=0.34). Sixty-four percent of the respondents had no educational background. Also, education did not influence veterinary service patronage (X=2.357, df=5, p=0.798). Majority (41.3%) of the respondents traveled over 16 km to access animal health service providers. All (100%) of the respondents who had access to veterinary drugs practiced self-medication. The study revealed government animal health service providers as a sustainable animal health delivery channel. Based on these findings, livestock farmers should be encouraged to consult veterinary service providers before administering drugs and vaccines to their livestock.

About the Issue of the Definition of Veterinary Services

Author researched the main approaches to the definition of veterinary services in the theory of Russian civil law; the problem of the correlation of activities for the provision of veterinary services and the implementation of measures for state veterinary control (supervision) is also revealed and materials of judicial practice related to the issue of research are studied. Eventually according to the results of the study, the author's definition of the concept of «provision of veterinary services» as the action or activity ( process) carried out by the service provider and aimed at the needs of the owner of a live animal, public interests in order to prevent diseases of humans and other animals, the needs of the animal itself, through treatment, modification or maintenance of the animal's health in proper condition, or complete cure of the animal from the detected disease (diseases), and other activities that belong to the field of veterinary medicine.

Crucial role of pragmatism in post‐pandemic veterinary practice

While the aftershocks of the Covid‐19 pandemic and Brexit are still reverberating across the veterinary profession, it remains unclear how the various social, economic and political factors may influence the landscape in which we operate. Equally unclear is whether the pandemic has fundamentally altered pet ownership dynamics in the UK, and whether this will change the relationships or expectations that clients have with veterinary service providers. Pragmatic case management has long been associated with clinicians who work in charities or other cost‐prohibitive environments; however, this article considers how the principles of pragmatism can be extended beyond clinical case management to all areas of the veterinary service, and provide a critical tool to help navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead on the road to pandemic recovery.

Trypanocidal effect of Diminazene aceturate by intranasal administration. Comparison among formulations

Background: The standard treatment for nagana and surra, vector–born parasite diseases, is a single intramuscular (i.m.) dose of diminazene aceturate (Berenil), an aromatic diamidine. Due to discontinuation of public provision of veterinary services or to lack of access to remote areas, low income farmers inject livestock and other domestic animals by themselves. We tested a not explored administration route for drugs against parasitological infections: the intranasal one. Berenil alone dissolved in water did not reach an effective drug concentration.
 Methods: Mice were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei or Trypanosoma evansi and treated with different formulations of Berenil. Survival, parasitemia, body weight and behavior were recorded.
 Results: Berenil formulated with chitosan reached a lethal concentration for bloodstream parasites. Residual parasites were absent, as demonstrated by immunosuppression.
 Conclusion: The intranasal route is an effective, safer, and easier way to perform antiparasitic treatments in animals.

11 years of regular access to subsidized veterinary services is associated with improved dog health and welfare in remote northern communities

Access to veterinary services can have positive impacts on animal health and welfare, and on human mental and physical health and well-being; however, many communities worldwide lack access to such services. At their request, the 5 communities of the Sahtu Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada, have received annual access to preventive veterinary services through the University of Calgary’s Northern Community Health Rotation since 2008. To determine the reach of the program, we conducted a dog census in 2017. We then conducted a chart review of 11 years of dog medical records from 2008 to 2018 to evaluate how the reach of the program, the uptake of veterinary services, and dog population demographics, health and welfare measures changed over the duration of the program. In the chart review, we used either multi-level logistic regression or generalized linear models, to determine how seven variables, including age, sex, breed, body condition, deworming, vaccination, and sterilization status upon clinic entry, changed over the course of program delivery. Our results suggest that program reach, veterinary service uptake, and dog demographic, health and welfare measures improved over time. We observed high rabies vaccination coverage in some communities (48 %–83 % of the dog population) and moderate overall sterilization status (25 %–56 % of the dog population) with female dog sterilization more common than male (75 % of dogs leaving the 2017 clinics, compared to 43 %). Several dog demographic, health, and welfare measures, including age, body condition, and vaccination, deworming, and sterilization status, were significantly better in later years of the program (all p < 0.001). Differences among communities, both in dog population numbers from the 2017 census (40–89 dogs) and in the uptake of veterinary services in 2017 (48 %–83 % of the dog population), were notable. Vaccination uptake was directly related to clinic attendance, but sterilization was impacted by additional factors, including community members’ acceptance of the procedure. Some unintended consequences were noted, however, including the potential effect of sterilization on the availability of traditional dog breeds in the communities. Overall, our study findings demonstrate that subsidized veterinary services provided over a regular and extended period of time benefit animal population demographics, health and welfare, and could have positive impacts on human well-being. The framework of community collaboration and long-term commitment developed through this program serves as a model for achieving common health goals among communities in need and veterinary service providers.

Continuing professional development for veterinarians in a changing world.

The veterinary profession has time and again successfully adapted to new challenges and developments, with considerable evolution of the skills needed. Different contexts, production systems and societal requirements continue to shape the profession, resulting in an increasing demand for specialisation, interdisciplinary collaboration along value chains, and preparedness for the omnipresent risk of emerging diseases. To keep up with changes, new insights, advances in research and novel ways to address challenges, continuing professional development (CPD) and the adaptation and updating of the veterinary curriculum have been essential to maintain and enhance the quality and performance of Veterinary Services. This paper reviews actors involved in the provision of Veterinary Services and discusses how vital CPD is in addressing current and future challenges, by focusing on veterinarians and allied veterinary professionals. The authors examine how providers of CPD contribute to the system and how the internal and external factors of a cohort or individual affect the quality and impact of capacity development. The paper further examines the landscape of veterinary CPD in terms of organisational structures, pedagogical approaches, the transition from input- to outcome-based learning, modern delivery tools, and the demands on the different actors involved in the delivery of animal health services. The authors conclude that CPD is essential if the quality of Veterinary Services is to keep pace with the ever-increasing and evolving demands of the 21st century. A CPD programme should therefore be constructed in a way that is tailored to the needs of veterinary professionals and to the requirements of their workplace, whether they work with animal keepers, livestock value chains, national governments or international regulatory bodies. An optimised and successful veterinary sector requires an evidencebased CPD programme that keeps those professionals who are involved in the delivery of animal health services both competent and relevant in a changing world.

The morphology of the bones of the skull of roe and ram

One of the forms of activity of a veterinary specialist can be his work as a forensic expert. Currently, more and more disputes arise regarding the provision of veterinary services, death or disease of animals as a result of various cases of poaching. In this connection, there is a need for a more detailed study of the comparative anatomical features of the structure of domestic and wild animals. In our work, we studied the anatomical features of the structure of the skull of two animal species: roe deer and ram. The presented materials present the results of a study of the structure and comparison of the skulls of a roe deer and a ram, as well as the determination of their age from the bones of the skull.

Exotic pets in Ireland: 2. Provision of veterinary services and perspectives of veterinary professionals\u2019 on responsible ownership

BackgroundThere has been increasing concern expressed about the welfare of exotic pets worldwide. For the purposes of this article, an exotic pet is considered to be a non-domesticated species, where there are knowledge gaps on good practice (minimum standards of care), veterinary diagnostics and treatments. The categories of exotic pets included in this study were: small mammals (< 20 kg), large mammals (> 20 kg), birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, and ferrets were excluded from the study. An online survey of veterinary professionals conducted between July and August 2020 provides the first empirical data for Ireland. In this pilot study (the second in this thematic series) we aim to characterise the provision of veterinary services to exotic pets from the veterinary professionals’ perspective, explore the main concerns of veterinary professionals towards exotic pet ownership, and their recommendations to support responsible exotic pet ownership.ResultsUsing an online survey this pilot study gathered evidence from 63 veterinary professionals currently working in private practice in Ireland. The prevalence of veterinary services for exotic pets in Ireland was determined to be 82% of small and mixed animal clinics of respondents’ practices ranging from 9.1 to 100% for different categories of exotic pets. The most common issues encountered in practice with exotic pets were related to nutrition, environment, and behaviour followed by clinical diseases such as respiratory, infectious, and gastrointestinal issues. The most common concerns veterinary professionals had with exotic pet ownership related to the lack of owner knowledge as well as the lack of veterinary knowledge and accessible resources. The most common strategic initiatives indicated by veterinary professionals included black or white lists (to prohibit and permit the keeping of exotic pet species respectively), licensing for owners and increased availability of CPD for veterinary professionals.ConclusionsMore than four in every five veterinary professionals in small or mixed animal practices surveyed were willing to treat exotic pets and in many cases they already were. A scaffold for best practice is required to support the health and welfare of exotic pets and responsible ownership. Keystones include veterinary education to support veterinary professionals with daily practice, establishing a white list of exotic species that are suitable as pets, registration at the point of purchase to enable traceability for biosecurity purposes and research to identify care standards to support the health and welfare of exotic pets.

Impact of COVID-19 on animal production in Ghana.

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease originating from Wuhan, a city in China (Lone and Ahmad, 2020), in November 2019. This virus has, since its emergence, caused widespread damage to the world, including both developed and developing countries. Aside from the health implications of the disease, other important areas, including the agricultural value chain, such as the livestock production sector, has had its share of the effects (Bisson and Hambleton, 2020) given its role in nutrition, livelihood, and food security. The COVID-19 pandemic has also brought into focus a number of issues, including food safety and hygiene issues, intricately linked to the consumption of the animal resourced foods, the high cost of production on the African continent versus cheaper imports now less available due to global movement restrictions, and the weaknesses in feed, veterinary, insurance, and other supply chains (AU-IBAR, 2020). Like other African countries, animal production in Ghana has not been spared the negative impacts on the activities of stakeholders along the livestock value chain from feed production and supply, communal grazing, sustainable use and conservation, and provision of veterinary services, including artificial insemination, livestock trade, transport, slaughtering, processing, and marketing of livestock products. These suggest the need for various governments and stakeholders in the West African region, including Ghana, to put in measures to counteract the adverse effects of the pandemic in the livestock subsector and the agricultural sector as a whole. This paper examines the effects of COVID-19 on animal production in Ghana.

Management of Camel Trypanosomiasis (Surra) among Pastoralists of Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, Kenya

Camel trypanosomiasis or Surra is the single most important cause of morbidity and mortality in camels. The animals are kept under pastoral conditions often characterised by remote settings with poor infrastructure. These characteristics of pastoral areas do not attract either habitation or work of qualified veterinary service providers hence the camel keeping communities are left to play a major role to surmount any constraints that they encounter during animal husbandry. This paper presents management of camel trypanosomiasis, from an emic perspective, among camel keeping communities of Isiolo and Marsabit Counties. The information presented here within was collected in the above areas following field research activities undertaken in 2019. Results indicate that the communities were knowledgeable about the disease and majority rightfully associated camel trypanosomiasis with biting flies, the disease vector. The main symptoms observed for conclusion about surra to be made included loss of body condition, inability to walk long distances, rough hair coat, inability to feed well, reduced milk production in lactating females and abortion. The management of surra and its vectors among the camel keeping communities included use of both formal veterinary products and ethno-medicine. Drug stores (agrovets) were popular sources of veterinary drugs among the communities. The study recommends sensitization of the communities about use of veterinary drugs particularly those targeting camel trypanosomiasis and the disease vectors and, training of agrovet frontline staff to provide the desired information to herders as they buy drugs of their choice for effective disease management.