Doha, January 15 (QNA) - Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital is participating once again in the 17th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi).

The hospital is providing an integrated package of veterinary and health services to festival visitors and participants in the various championships, through its field branch located at the festival site in the Marmi area.

Director of Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital Dr. Iqdam Majid Al Karkhi said in a statement that the hospital’s participation comes as part of its support for falconers and its commitment to maintaining the health and safety of falcons participating in competitions, in addition to serving falcons housed in the surrounding mews near the festival area.

He said that the hospital provides a range of specialized services during the festival, most notably endoscopic examinations of the digestive and respiratory systems, collection of samples to test for fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as fecal examinations to detect diseases such as coccidiosis and other worms.

The services also include the administration of nutrients, whether subcutaneously or intravenously, as well as vitamins and nutritional supplements, and the dispensing of essential treatments following diagnosis through the hospital’s branch at the festival.

Dr. Al Karkhi stressed that a falcon’s health is the foundation for achieving good performance, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the falcon is free from any diseases that could affect its efficiency in races, whether it is a Tal‘a, Da‘wa, or Heddad falcon.

He pointed to the need to ensure the safety of the falcon’s food sources, such as live pigeons or chicken chicks, and that they contain appropriate nutritional value, while supporting them with natural immune boosters such as beneficial bacteria, garlic oil, and fish oil, due to their role in strengthening the falcon’s immunity and helping it resist diseases naturally.

Regarding fasting before competitions, Dr. Al Karkhi said that fasting is one of the training methods, but warned that it has to be done within limits or otherwise it risks being harmful, as it may lead to dehydration, muscle fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies, causing the falcon to consume its fat reserves and other substances that require a long time to replenish. He emphasized the importance of striking a balance between feeding, fasting, and training to achieve optimal falcon performance during flight.

The Director of Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital affirmed that early diagnosis of any illness and timely treatment greatly contribute to the success of treatment and prevent cases from developing into chronic conditions, pointing to the importance of adding vitamins, salts, and amino acids to the diet to compensate for nutritional deficiencies in some types of feed.

Dr. Al Karkhi concluded by emphasizing Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital’s commitment to supporting falconers and providing the best services during the Marmi Festival, wishing all participants success and praising the significant role played by the festival in preserving the sport of falconry. (QNA)