The following story was sent to us from Dr. Deepa Katyal in Mumbai, India.
I have seen several monkeys electrocuted when they travel from forested zones to city limits due to live wires. They enter human space in search of human food and get electrocuted and burnt. Such victims ideally require intensive care facilities, which, unfortunately, the city cannot provide. The forest department then sends these horribly burnt victims to the hospital or the monkeys are rescued by kind volunteers who want to save wildlife.
A baby macaque was rescued with several burn injuries late in the middle of the night, and I received a call from a wildlife rescue volunteer. I just love and admire these monkeys. Despite so much pain and many injuries, they never give up their struggle to survive. A little love, affection, and a lot of good pain management sets the path to recovery. This little baby, Babulal, is now back to its normal monkey business. I especially want to thank the following: Dr. Lobo for urgent treatment of this monkey’s eyes; EmerAid for supplying us with intensive care food, because those first two days of pain were a nightmare to make him eat and sustain — the food really helped him pull through; Johanna for the Vetramil cream samples, which worked like magic to heal the impact wounds; my own animals (including Chichi, my cat), my tolerant neighbours, and especially my dear husband, for tolerating the cacophony in the house during the early morning. Babulal likes to call with his baby monkey whistles at 5 AM and Poly, my grey bird, responds in the most jungle-like calling fashion.
This macaque baby was in so much pain from his injuries and losing half of his tail that he self-mutilated to try to ease the pain. His lower body had several other electrocution impact areas, including his anus, which made him cry with every defecation for the first two days. I can’t imagine the horrific incident that led to all this. I believe only those with strong genes that are destined to procreate survive this kind of trauma. I’m happy that the Thane SPCA gave me yet another opportunity to meet and treat this now naughty Babulal, who still has at least a week more of traumatic medication time, several full wound dressing sessions, enjoyable massages, and cold laser time — and yes, lots of caring hugs, kisses, head massages, and grooming sessions. We can’t bring his mother back and fill the void, but we can at least try to make his journey towards adulthood a comfortable one. I love you, Babulal, and I love being a veterinarian.
Dr. Deepa Katyal
Masters of Veterinary Studies (Australia)
Master of Veterinary Science (India), deepakatyal.com
Board of Director (International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management) USA.
https://ivapm.org/