Nashik: A cow belonging to Jaywant Vidhate, a cattle farmer from Pimpalgaon, had been ill for the past week.
For treatment, he approached livestock development officer, Dr Alkesh Chaudhary who used a metal detector to examine the cow's stomach and discovered that it contained iron objects and plastic.
Upon knowing this, Dr Chaudhary decided to start the operation immediately.
A team of veterinarians including Alkesh Chaudhary, assistant Nilesh Gaike and Kunala Dhanwate operated on the cow and removed 35 kg of waste that included plastic waste, pieces of wire, two coins and kite strings.
Dr Chaudhary's team operated for three hours and successfully cleaned the cow's stomach.
Dr Chaudhary said that the widespread use of plastic is harmful to both the environment as well as animals.
"Animals are a wandering species. Items such as plastic bags are easily consumed by the animals which affect their digestive system," said Chaudhary.
He also said that the risk of pregnancy, lack of milk, and occasional death in dairy animals are increasing due to such involuntary consumption.
"The caretakers should take care and see that their animals do not consume plastic. No dangerous items like plastic, iron wire, rope, etc. should be kept around the barn," advised Chaudhary.
Livestock Development officer Chaudhary also emphasised on the need for public awareness in this regard.
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