India
Veterinary hospitals across the national capital said that they are coming across at least 10 cases every day of red eyes, runny nose and pneumonia in animals and birds
New Delhi: Though the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows that this year’s air quality in Delhi is better when compared to 2016 and 2017, the Air Quality Index(AQI) still reads ‘very unhealthy’ and this is not only affecting the humans but also is choking animals and birds.
Veterinary hospitals across the national capital said that they are coming across at least 10 cases every day of red eyes, runny nose and pneumonia in animals and birds.
"Animals are being admitted to the hospital over symptoms of nausea, repeated vomiting, redness in eyes and slow response," said one veterinary expert, according to India Today.
: PM 10 level at 289 in 'Poor' category and PM 2.5 level at 325 in 'Very Poor' category on Air Quality Index (AQI), at Lodhi Road. pic.twitter.com/aEEfmifsM2
— ANI (@ANI)According to veteran doctors, pets below one-year of age and aged animals and birds need special care as they are more vulnerable to the ill effects of pollution because of their low immunity.
“Air pollution is troubling them and this year it is worse. Birds such as pigeons and parrots also feel inflammatory sensation in their body, due to which they are unable to fly," said Dr JP Pandey, a veterinary expert at Wildlife Rescue, the news website reported.
Also, dog breeds like Beagle, Labrador, Pug, Bulldog and Poodle, etc have been diagnosed respiratory distress and other health complications.
The associate director at PETA (India) Sachin Bangera has some advice for pet owners in Delhi. He urges people to look out for signs of respiratory and other problems and immediately consult a veterinarian. Also, he asks pet parents to take their dogs out for walks when smog levels are low.
Delhi's air quality showed a slight improvement on Wednesday after overnight drizzles.
Twenty-eight areas in Delhi recorded "very poor" air quality while three areas recorded "poor' category", the data said.
Delhi's air quality has been oscillating between the "very poor" and "severe" categories after Diwali due to increase in pollution because of bursting of firecrackers.
On Wednesday, the PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level was recorded at 202 while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 327 in Delhi.
According to Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the PM2.5 concentration will remain in very "poor category" on Wednesday.
"The air quality is likely to improve in the next two days, but remain in the very poor category in Delhi-NCR till Thursday. The impact of biomass burning in northwest India is marginal over Delhi," it said.
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