Delhi's hazardous air pollution has reached such alarming levels that it's now forcing family pets onto medical treatments typically reserved for humans. A Golden Retriever named Simba has become the latest victim of the city's toxic air, requiring regular nebuliser sessions to combat breathing difficulties caused by the severe pollution.
Family Pet Struggles to Breathe in Toxic Capital
The concerning situation came to light when Simba's family shared a now-viral video showing the distressed dog undergoing nebuliser treatment. The footage reveals the Golden Retriever wearing a mask connected to the medical device, breathing in medicated vapor to clear his congested airways. What makes this case particularly worrying is that Simba had no pre-existing respiratory conditions before Delhi's air quality began its dangerous decline.
The national capital has been grappling with air quality index (AQI) readings consistently hovering in the 'severe' category, with levels frequently crossing 400 and sometimes even reaching 500. This toxic environment has created health emergencies not just for human residents but for their animal companions as well.
Veterinary Experts Sound Alarm on Pet Health
Veterinarians across Delhi are reporting a significant increase in cases where pets are experiencing pollution-related health issues. Common symptoms include persistent coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, and breathing difficulties. The problem affects all breeds, but those with pre-existing respiratory conditions or shorter nasal passages are particularly vulnerable.
Dr. Priya Nair, a leading veterinary specialist in Delhi, explains the severity of the situation: "We're seeing unprecedented numbers of pets suffering from pollution-induced bronchitis and asthma-like symptoms. The particulate matter in Delhi's air is so fine that it penetrates deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and respiratory distress in animals just as it does in humans."
Medical professionals recommend that pet owners watch for specific warning signs, including excessive panting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and coughing fits. They emphasize that these symptoms shouldn't be ignored, as prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to chronic respiratory conditions in animals.
Protective Measures for Pets During Pollution Crisis
As Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate, veterinary experts are advising pet owners to take several precautionary measures. These include limiting outdoor walks during early morning and late evening hours when pollution levels peak, creating clean air spaces indoors using air purifiers, and wiping pets' paws and fur after outdoor exposure.
For severe cases like Simba's, medical intervention becomes necessary. Nebuliser treatments help deliver medication directly to the lungs, providing relief from inflammation and helping clear the airways of pollution particles. The treatment has become increasingly common in veterinary clinics across the city as the pollution crisis worsens.
The case of Simba the Golden Retriever serves as a stark reminder that Delhi's air pollution crisis spares no one - not even the innocent animals who share our homes and lives. As the city continues to choke under a blanket of toxic air, the health of all its inhabitants, human and animal alike, hangs in the balance.
