A land without veterinarians: animal health practices among smallholders in the Selva Maya

Veterinary medicine plays a key role in global public health. Food safety, disease surveillance, and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases are among the issues that veterinary medicine addresses every day. In many rural communities of the Global South, livestock are important to local food and income, and vulnerability to the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases is high, yet veterinary services are largely absent. Documenting how livestock are managed in these areas without veterinary services is therefore key to understanding the barriers producers face and the health risks associated with their practices. Here, we sought to identify key animal health concerns and practices in rural communities in the Selva Maya, specifically in the Calakmul region of Mexico, to promote targeted animal health practices and improve livelihoods. We surveyed 140 residents from 10 communities to provide information on animal health practices and challenges to livestock production. Our results showed that poor feeding, inadequate preventive medicine programs (vaccination and deworming), and poor housing conditions contribute to health problems and disease outbreaks, especially in poultry and sheep. Educational and economic constraints further limit effective animal health management. This study highlights the urgent need for accessible veterinary services and education on zoonotic diseases and husbandry practices to improve animal health and livelihoods in these rural communities.