IT NEVER RAINS, IT POURS !

Goa is beautiful in the rains. But the tourists aren't the only ones attracted to the lush greenery and gushing waterbodies. Insects, bacteria, and viruses of all kinds love them too, and thrive in this environment. The monsoons are always the most profitable time of the year for the pharmaceutical companies, because many common diseases are waterborne, and sanitation in a poor country like ours is at its worst during this season.

Watch out for your animals too. This is the time when they are most likely to pick up a bug of some kind. From common colds and flus to more dangerous ones like distemper, gastroenteritis, and leptospirosis. Wounds like scratches, grazes and bites acquired during rough play also take longer to heal in a damp environment.

In the "gora" countries, and some pockets of Delhi and Mumbai, it's fashionable to use raincoats on one's pets. Thankfully, Goan pets are made of sterner stuff, there's nothing sillier than an animal dressed up in human attire, unless it's Mickey Mouse. However, a thorough rubdown after a romp in the rain will do your little fellow as much good as it will do you, so keep that towel handy. The chest and abdomen are the most vulnerable to infection, and coincidentally also where the playful pooch will most enjoy a good tickle.

Avoid sending your pet in for a planned surgery, such as sterilisation, during this period. He or she will need much more warmth and dryness than you or your shelter will be able to provide well. Urine output also increases at this time, requiring frequent cleanups, otherwise contact with sutures can pose a grave health risk. At the ABC programs, we get the maximum cases of resuturing, mortality, and prolonged recovery periods during the wet season.

Have a care for the wild birds and animals around you that fall prey to the wrath of the rains. Do give shelter whenever you can. A drenched starving animal, particularly a young one, will usually become right as rain (pardon the pun) after a bowl of warm chicken soup and a long gentle rubdown - a brisk one will work on your own pet, but for a stray animal it's better to win confidence with softer strokes over a longer period. A couple of hours of TLC, and the little fella will be on his way again: he may not stop to say thanks, but you will still feel like a hero!

Here's a great remedy for a drenched bird, which could die very quickly unless prompt action is taken. A few milligrams (about three for a pigeon) of very warm water mixed with glucose powder fed every six hours will save its life. Plus a few drops of a pediatric multivitamin syrup. Keep the bird warm and dry throughout, placing a lit 60 watt bulb about three feet away from it, if possible. Release it only when the rain abates, and you are sure it will be able to find food on its own. Just watching it fly away will bring its own reward.

On that uplifting note, let's enjoy the rains this year, making this season of growth one of good health for all, too.