mesa of Contents
Last Updated on July 22 , 2024 by
DOGS VETSfeels the pulse rate ofdog loverswho are battling to keep theirpetsalive follow the galactic increase in the cost ofdog feed , vitamin , andmedication .
Kamsi Toochi ’s Ikorodu , Lagos place is like a den of wolf . From his logic gate where there is a boldly written ‘ Beware of Dogs ’ sign to his compound , wheredogscompete with human neighbour for space .
“ She litter ( gave birth ) yesterday ( Monday ) . Do n’t allude her or the babies so she does n’t think you are a menace , ” Toochi order our correspondent who had essay to feel the body of a brown - black femaleGerman Shepherd , Nina , who was gone by a corner ; her baby sucking her bosom .
“ German Shepherdsare built for combat , mostly . They can be friendly but they are mostly combatants . trueness , like mostdogs , is their watchword . They can take a heater for you . They are a special strain ofdogsmostly used assecurity . But , they also have an emotional side to them .
“ giving birth can be a spot tedious for a few of them . I have misplace two during the vaginal birth procedure . One die out after a few hebdomad while the other could not altogether push out all the babies . I ask over aveterinary operating surgeon , but before she could get here , she ( thedog ) had died , ” he articulate , his eyes swell up with tears .
According to theGerman Shepherd Dog Breeders Association of Nigeria , theGerman Shepherdor GS , is renowned for its noblesse , loyalty , trustworthiness and versatility .
On its Facebook Thomas Nelson Page , the association note , “ TheGerman Shepherd Dogshould be convinced and outgoing . He should never be neural or shy . He is , however , adogwith an innate natural ability to guard citizenry and prop .
“ TheGerman Shepherdis a suitabledogfor an active owner who is prepared to exercise thedogappropriately . Plenty of space at home is also advocate . estimable socialization is required from an other years .
“ They are in the main effective with otherdogsand cats once acquainted if socialise well as a pup . They aredogsthat can not be left home alone for hour on end . They ask stimulation and uniform training . The well - manneredGerman Shepherdis indeed one of the fine companions conceivable ; an unrulyGerman Shepherdwill have you at your brain ’ end . ”
Just behind Nina and her babies are some whiteEskimo puppiesjumping up and about in a John Milton Cage Jr. .
“ Two of those now have a new home . They are fit to Abuja . One is going to a lady in Ajah . I am feeling emotional about it but I have already told my assistant to groom them aftervaccinationso they can be delivered to their new owners , ” Toochi said .
involve how much they cost , he enounce , “ Both were sell for N350,000 . But , I trade one for between N170,000 – N200,000 . ”
see the disbelief in our correspondent ’s eyes , he enjoin , “ These foreign breeds are expensive to raise so I can not afford to betray them below that . ”
Continuing , he say , “ Even for mating purpose , we pay the owners of the male to mate our femaledogsif we want a particular breed , and we still give them one puppy , depending on the accord . Here , they even have to come take it by themselves – that is they have the right to come in and pick out the puppy of their choice . The rest are then kept in my care .
“ To feed thesedogsin just one daytime , I can spend more than N14,000 , and they are just seven . This is because I have some solid food at home already . I have also learnt how tovaccinatethem , treat them and give them palliative care even before thevetsarrive .
“ When they are sick , if you are not careful , you may turn a loss all of them . So , if I have managed to provoke them for up to eight months and they demand a newfangled home , I will also have to do the deliberation and know how much I have spent enhance one , multiplied by the routine of day they have stayed with me . ”
Toochi has been adog breedersince 2017 . After his one year mandatory National Youth Service in 2015 , he said he worked in a private secondary schooltime in Enugu for one year before moving to Lagos to remain with a family unit booster who was into the business concern .
“ He let me handle some of the duties because raise and wish for these strange breed requires a lot of patience , experience and money .
I did n’t have experience or money but I was patient , having taught kids for one year in Enugu , ” he recalled .
He spend about seven months with that family admirer before getting a occupation with a logistics company and his own berth in Ogba , Lagos . But , he tell he always visited that family friend to help out with thedogson weekend .
“ That was how I key out my warmth fordogs , ” he say , his eye beam with light .
He soon indicated his interest to his friend to acquire the job and the journey start . He apprentice for a few months before moving to Ikorodu to start up his owndog breedingbusiness .
“ Business was good tillCOVID-19hit in 2020 . After that time , matter were a bit stable , but they just did not go back to how they used to , ” Toochi say .
This is not a good time for thedog breederandpet lover , as he noted that the price of caring for thedogshas more than treble .
“ Two pack of provender that I buy around N12,000 in February are now N27,000 . That is 10 kg each . Thesedogswill ingest this food for thought in just seven days if we manage it . There are severalsupplements , vitamins , andmedicationswe must bribe for them as well . price of some of them jumped from N4,000 to as high as N12,000 in just two months . How are we expected to survive ? ”
Anotherdog breederin Ikorodu , Lagos State , Kaycee Neche , in a video deal with our newspaperwoman via WhatsApp , was inconsolable .
Almost moved to tears , he lament as to how he would continue hisdog breedingbusiness if the prices keep to skyrocket . As the days go by , Kaycee ’s fear consumes him even deeper . “I am so angry . I leave the market place in anger . I ca n’t even excuse how I am feeling , ” say Kaycee as the video start .
“ What I get in the market was so irritating . I go out the market place in choler and go home because of the cost of things . I could n’t buy much . ”
Neche say a battalion ofdog noodleswhich he bought last month for N9,000 was now sold to him on Monday ( July 15 , 2024 ) for N14,000 .
“ How can they say that ? ” he question .
“ Thisdog noodlesI’m talking about will be ware by mydogsin just three days and I ’d have to buy another one . So , I will spend N14,000 to buy 10 kilo ofdog noodlesfor just three days ? I ’m so angry . I do n’t even jazz what to do right now . ”
“ This is drypet foodfor adultdogs . Thispet foodwas around N30,000 or thereabouts last calendar month when I bought it .
“ Today ( Monday ) , those people ( sellers ) are telling me in the market place that it is now N56,000 .
“ I have n’t spoken of thevitaminsand other stuff we do buy for thedogs . Somevitaminsthat were sell for around N4,000 before are now N12,000 . That is a more than 100 per cent start .
In anger , he said , “ Please , no one should come into my inbox to ask me to give them anydog .
“ Every morn I waken up , the first affair I do before I retrieve of myself is to serve to mydogs . I give the I that need meds their medicinal drug . I release them , feed them , tamp their nincompoop , and wash their cage .
I do this every day . Sometimes , I even do it twice a day . How can you then have the guts to tell me to dash you adogafter everything ?
“ Anyone that inscribe my DM again to involve me to dart him anypuppywill gather up affront no matter the bonding . If you do n’t have money to buy adog , go to your neighbour and amass a localdog . ”
Man’s best friend
The kinship between humanity anddogsdates back yard of years . Archaeological evidence hint thatdogswere tame from wolves more than 15,000 yr ago .
The ancient Egyptians , Greeks , and Romans valueddogsas companions , guardians , and hunt partners . The phrase “ man ’s best admirer ” reflects the deep hamper that has survive between humans anddogsthroughout history .
In Nigeria , owning a foreign stock ofdoglike theGerman Shepherd , Rottweiler , orBoerboelis often seen as a condition symbol . These breeds are highly prized for their security and guard ability , which are especially sought after in a country contend with various security system challenges . However , the price of maintaining these breeds has become a significant issuance for many owners .
The increasingcost of livingin Nigeria , coupled withinflationandsupply chain disruptions , has exacerbated the situation fordog owners . As the price ofdog feed , vitamins , andveterinary carecontinue to rise , many are struggling to keep up with the financial demand of caring for theirpets .
Veterinary carecosts
The cost ofveterinary carehas also risen acutely , adding to the fiscal strain ondog owners . Dr. Chukwuemeka Nathaniel , aveterinarianbased in Abuja , noted that interview fees have doubled , and the cost ofvaccinationsand surgical procedure has importantly increased .
“ Annualvaccinationsnow price between N25,000 and N35,000 , up from N3,500 to N6,000 . Surgical procedures likespayingorneuteringnow range from N45,000 to N70,000 . intervention for weather likemangeortick feverhas also seen a sharp increment in cost , ” Nathaniel say .
Veterinarians acknowledge the fiscal burden onpet ownersbut emphasize that the price increases are necessary to enshroud the rising cost ofmedical suppliesand equipment .
Managing rising costs
To manage the rising costs ofpet care , somedog ownersare turning to strategies such aspet insuranceand preventative care . Investing inpet indemnity , although still rise in Nigeria , can aid set off some veterinary expenses . Regular check - ups and a balanced diet can also aid forbid pricey treatments .
Toochi , who is studyingProductive Pet Careonline , apprize investing in preventive measures and exploring safehome remediesfor minor health issuance . “ By focalize on preventive forethought and utilizinghome cure , we can avoid frequent and expensive clinic visits , ” he says .
andiron feed sellersalso feel the impact of rising costs . Tiamiyu Adesina , a feed memory possessor in Abuja , reports that the price of premiumdog foodbrands likeRoyal Caninhas scend . “ A 20 kilogram suitcase ofRoyal Caninthat used to cost around N18,000 now sells for N45,000 , ” Adesina explain . “ Even locally producedfeedshave insure price hike due to increased production cost and inflation . ”
Conclusion
The current feed crisis reflects a broader economic challenge , with rising price move various aspects of day-to-day life story in Nigeria . Fordog ownersandbreeders , the rocket prices ofdog feed , veterinary guardianship , andsupplementshave create a challenging environment .
Despite these difficulty , the commitment ofdog loversto theirpetsremains steadfast , highlight the deep bond and loyalty that delineate the family relationship between humans and their cuspid fellow traveller .
FAQs
point of reference :
Source : Punch.ng
