Latest news with #Ammu
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Help, my dog needs a therapist
CHENNAI: When freelance writer Lakshmi P's cat Ammu developed patches of wounds, she took her to four vets. All of them prescribed antibiotics and anti-allergens. But the wounds kept coming back. It was the fifth vet who asked the right questions and found the cat was self-harming – from separation anxiety. Lakshmi had left her with a friend with a dog when she moved abroad, which was causing the stress. Lakshmi later decided to take Ammu abroad with her. 'Most vets in India treat the physical symptoms. I have started consuming content by internationally known animal behaviourists now and understand the issues of my family dog better. Also, cats do get attached to humans, unlike the popular myth,' she says, adding that Ammu is the 'happiest girl now.' You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In the UK, when pets appear to suffer from a non-physical ailment, the veterinarian refers them to a qualified animal behaviourist. And if something happens to the animal at the hands of the behaviouralist, the licence is cancelled. But no such system exists in India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sudden Ringing in Your Ears? This Spray Might Help Stop Tinnitus Now Learn More Undo While mental health is a specialisation in human medicine, the govt veterinary science syllabus is mostly focused on livestock, and at most, there are a few sessions on how to handle animals ethically. Vets at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas), Chennai, agree that there isn't much in the syllabus about animal behaviour but there is a ''lot of scope'' for it. 'Mostly, we get cases of dog-to-human or dog-to-dog aggression. If the aggression is directed against every stranger, it's difficult to treat. We try anti-anxiety drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which take eight weeks to start showing results, but more important is early socialisation,' says Dr K J. 'Whatever we learn on small animals such as dogs and cats and their behaviour, is from books and training programmes,' says Dr V Arun, a veterinarian from Chennai. It was during such a programme conducted by the veterinary association that vets like him learned to handle dogs and cats, he says. The trainers in these programmes are invariably from the west, and their insights have been eye-opening, says Dr Arun. 'Cats, for example, get stressed in vet clinics by the presence of dogs. It was this learning that made me decide to open a facility exclusive for cats in Chennai.' Psychological issues in pets are more pronounced now than a few decades ago as people are constantly moving cities, especially post-Covid, says Dr Yamini P Suresh, a Bengaluru-based vet. While animal psychology should ideally be a subject, 'animals can't communicate, and hence pet psychology isn't easy'. 'We do our best to learn their behaviour case by case once we start practising. Each animal is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.' What helps her detect signs of depression or anxiety in pets, she says, is that she had dogs and cats growing up. Yamini also refers her patients to qualified behaviourists when she senses there are no major medical issues. Ethology or the science of animal behaviour is still an emerging field in India, and while some vets such as Yamini are open to referring their clients to them, others aren't. 'I'm not against them, it's just that very few are qualified,' says Dr Arun. 'Vets are invariably pressed for time, dealing with 50-60 animals a day, and it is difficult for them to form a personal bond with each dog or cat, and remember their past behaviour, hence many refer them to me,' says Nivedita Prabhukumar, a Bengaluru-based canine behaviourist. But things have progressed a lot, she says. When she started out in 2013, 'animal training' was only about teaching dogs obedience, which often involved punishment, and the use of tools such as shock collars, she says. 'There are still trainers who still do that but in the past decade, the focus has started shifting to the animal's happiness.' For example, an extra five minutes at the vet clinic for the animals to settle down makes all the difference, as it's a highly stressful environment for them, she says. 'I also suggest wellness visits to the vet for puppies for no reason to reduce anxiety.' Dr Sonika Sathish, a former govt vet from Kerala says, in India, 70% of pets need muzzling at vet clinics. When she moved to Canada recently, she found only 5% of the pets there wore muzzles. 'Even cats are calm in clinics here. The vets draw blood from the jugular vein, unthinkable in India because the animal will be thrashing around in fear,' she says. 'Pet parents in the west train the animals from birth or send them to puppy school. They walk them, socialise them and familiarise them with humans, all of which are crucial for their adult behaviour.' In Nivedita's view, the information explosion has gone to the other extreme. 'Earlier I had to request people to take their pets with them outdoors, but now there are many who take them along on every weekend, for every trip. I have to beg them to give the animal some stability.' Dogs and cats manage to survive in most circumstances, but for them to thrive, and live their best life, you need a combination of the pet parent, the doctor, the behaviouralist, even the groomer working together, says Dr Yamini. 'Like for a child, you need a village to raise a pet too. If one misses a sign, the other can spot it and address it.'
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Naval officer on honeymoon trip among victims of Pahalgam terror attack
1 2 3 4 Kochi: A naval officer, who was posted in Kochi, was among the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday noon. Naval authorities in Kochi confirmed that Lt Vinay Narwal , 26, of Southern Naval Command and his wife were on a honeymoon trip to Kashmir. Vinay, who is a native of Haryana, got married on April 16. Gulf returnee killed A 65-year-old Kochiite was among those killed in terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as N Ramachandran, a resident of Mangat Road at Edappally. A Gulf returnee, Ramachandran went to Kashmir along with his wife Sheela, daughter Ammu and two grandchildren on Monday morning. According to the information received by family members, Ramachandran was shot dead while others escaped the attack narrowly. It is learned that some of his relatives also accompanied him on the trip. "It's shocking to hear of Ramachandran's death in terror attack. He had been actively engaged in social work after returning from Doha two years ago," said his neighbour Vijayakumar, who is also the president of Mangat Road Residents Association. Ramachandran was the association's vice-president. "Ammu was in Dubai along with her family. When she returned to Kerala recently, Ramachandran decided to visit Kashmir along with family. They departed Kochi airport on Monday morning and went to Srinagar via Hyderabad, Vijayakumar said. Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said efforts were currently under way to communicate with Ramachandran's family members, who are still in Pahalgam. "It's deeply painful for us to learn that one of the victims was Ramachandran, a native of Thrikkakara. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the brutal attack. The terrorist attack on innocent tourists is a cowardly assault on humanity and the peace of Kashmir. I urge the central govt to respond with a strong and decisive retaliation against the terrorists," she said.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kochi resident killed in Pahalgam terror attack while on family trip
Kochi: A 65-year-old Kochiite was among those killed in terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as N Ramachandran , a resident of Mangat Road at Edappally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A Gulf returnee, Ramachandran went to Kashmir along with his wife Sheela, daughter Ammu and two grandchildren on Monday morning. According to the information received by family members, Ramachandran was shot dead while others escaped the attack narrowly. It is learned that some of his relatives also accompanied him on the trip. "It's shocking to hear of Ramachandran's death in terror attack. He had been actively engaged in social work after returning from Doha two years ago," said his neighbour Vijayakumar, who is also the president of Mangat Road Residents Association. Ramachandran was the association's vice-president. "Ammu was in Dubai along with her family. When she returned to Kerala recently, Ramachandran decided to visit Kashmir along with family. They departed Kochi airport on Monday morning and went to Srinagar via Hyderabad, Vijayakumar said. Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said efforts were currently under way to communicate with Ramachandran's family members, who are still in Pahalgam. "It's deeply painful for us to learn that one of the victims was Ramachandran, a native of Thrikkakara. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the brutal attack. The terrorist attack on innocent tourists is a cowardly assault on humanity and the peace of Kashmir. I urge the central govt to respond with a strong and decisive retaliation against the terrorists," she said. Kochi: A 65-year-old Kochiite was among those killed in terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deceased has been identified as N Ramachandran, a resident of Mangat Road at Edappally. A Gulf returnee, Ramachandran went to Kashmir along with his wife Sheela, daughter Ammu and two grandchildren on Monday morning. According to the information received by family members, Ramachandran was shot dead while others escaped the attack narrowly. It is learned that some of his relatives also accompanied him on the trip. "It's shocking to hear of Ramachandran's death in terror attack. He had been actively engaged in social work after returning from Doha two years ago," said his neighbour Vijayakumar, who is also the president of Mangat Road Residents Association. Ramachandran was the association's vice-president. "Ammu was in Dubai along with her family. When she returned to Kerala recently, Ramachandran decided to visit Kashmir along with family. They departed Kochi airport on Monday morning and went to Srinagar via Hyderabad, Vijayakumar said. Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said efforts were currently under way to communicate with Ramachandran's family members, who are still in Pahalgam. "It's deeply painful for us to learn that one of the victims was Ramachandran, a native of Thrikkakara. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the brutal attack. The terrorist attack on innocent tourists is a cowardly assault on humanity and the peace of Kashmir. I urge the central govt to respond with a strong and decisive retaliation against the terrorists," she said.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kochiite on family trip killed in Pahalgam terror attack
1 2 3 Kochi: A 65-year-old Kochiite was among those killed in terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as N Ramachandran , a resident of Mangat Road at Edappally. A Gulf returnee, Ramachandran went to Kashmir along with his wife Sheela, daughter Ammu and two grandchildren on Monday morning. According to the information received by family members, Ramachandran was shot dead while others escaped the attack narrowly. It is learned that some of his relatives also accompanied him on the trip. "It's shocking to hear of Ramachandran's death in terror attack. He had been actively engaged in social work after returning from Doha two years ago," said his neighbour Vijayakumar, who is also the president of Mangat Road Residents Association. Ramachandran was the association's vice-president. "Ammu was in Dubai along with her family. When she returned to Kerala recently, Ramachandran decided to visit Kashmir along with family. They departed Kochi airport on Monday morning and went to Srinagar via Hyderabad, Vijayakumar said. Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said efforts were currently under way to communicate with Ramachandran's family members, who are still in Pahalgam. "It's deeply painful for us to learn that one of the victims was Ramachandran, a native of Thrikkakara. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the brutal attack. The terrorist attack on innocent tourists is a cowardly assault on humanity and the peace of Kashmir. I urge the central govt to respond with a strong and decisive retaliation against the terrorists," she said.
