Dubai Municipality and MasterFoods host first veterinary workshop

The seminar, which took place in DM's Veterinary Services Section, was organized in cooperation with MasterFoods' Waltham center, the world's leading authority on pet care and nutrition.

First of its kind to be carried out in Dubai, the workshop aimed to update DM's veterinary professionals on new findings in the field of veterinary dermatology, liver disorders, internal diseases and pet nutrition. The Dubai Municipality Veterinary Department is responsible for several services which include the treatment of sick animals of all types as well as preventive programs for the healthy ones.

"We want to create a place free of any animal diseases, especially the ones which could harm humans. Due to the large amount of imported animals, we coordinate with national and international institutions like MasterFoods' Waltham center for pet care and nutrition to make sure that we are up to date with the highest standards in veterinary care", comments Dr. Hisham Fahmi, veterinary specialist at the DM Vet Services Section.

According to the workshop speaker Dr. Kallahalli Umesh, MasterFoods' regional associate for Waltham South Asia, it is highly important to share international research results and expertise with colleagues. "We can observe an increasing trend in the region towards keeping cats and dogs as domestic animals. Therefore, it is imperative to identify and properly treat any symptoms related to pets. Nutrition plays a crucial role in this process", adds Dr. Umesh.

Waltham is a renowned center for pet nutrition and a hub of global research activities focusing on dogs, cats, birds, fish and horses. The institution has pioneered some of the most important breakthroughs in pet science.

"We have a responsibility to the environment in which we operate to ensure that our actions are mutually beneficial. This responsibility holds for animals as much as it does for humans. Extending our knowledge and support to the community is one of MasterFoods' key principles", said Christine Greaves, External Relations Manager at MasterFoods Middle East FZE.

The veterinary workshop is one of several joint projects between MasterFoods and Dubai Municipality. Other partnerships in the field of public health include the recently held Dubai International Food Safety Conference and the physical activity programme Al Haraka Baraka.