Yaar, Don't Get Fooled at the Mandi This Eid

Last year, my neighbour Tariq bhai drove to the Ravi Road mandi at 6 in the morning, stood in that chaos for four hours in full June heat, and paid Rs. 95,000 for a cow that looked absolutely solid. Big, shiny coat, standing tall, the dealer swearing on his mother's health it was perfectly fine. Brought it home. Next morning the cow couldn't finish its feed and by evening it had a fever you could feel without even touching it properly.

Turned out it had been given something to make it look energetic at the mandi. The "vet" the dealer recommended was a straight up quack who made things worse — please, yaar, never let a quack handle a sick animal, always find a real registered vet even if you have to drive a little. Tariq bhai ended up spending another Rs. 18,000 on actual veterinary treatment. That Eid was not fun.

So this year, let me save you from that same situation.

Aankhein Aur Naak — Start Here, Seriously

The eyes should be clear and bright. Any cloudiness, redness, or thick discharge coming from the corner — that animal is telling you something is wrong, and a vet should confirm what exactly before you hand over your money.

The nose should be slightly moist, clean, no thick mucus. If the animal is constantly rubbing its nose on the fence or other animals, or if you see heavy dripping, that's a respiratory issue. I'm no veterinary doctor, I'm just someone who's been around livestock long enough to notice these things — but always get a proper opinion before doing anything.

Chaal Dekho, Khada Rehna Kaafi Nahi

Make the animal walk. Dealers will show you an animal standing perfectly still and you'll think theek hai, it looks healthy. But movement tells a different story. A healthy cow or goat walks evenly, no limping, no hesitation, no dragging of any leg.

Check the hooves. Cracked, overgrown, foul-smelling hooves mean the animal has been kept in terrible conditions — possibly hoof rot, which is very common in animals standing in dirty water and waste for days. In Punjab ki garmi especially, this spreads fast. Don't try to assess severity yourself, call a vet.

Haath Phero Poore Jism Par

Run your hands along the animal's coat and skin. It should feel smooth-ish, no bald patches, no crusty areas, no excessive itching when you touch certain spots. I once bought a goat from Sunday Bazaar — my embarrassing moment — that looked completely fine from standing distance. Up close, behind both ears, pure mange infection. Treated it for weeks. Lesson learned the hard way.

Press gently on the belly. It should feel firm, not hard, not visibly bloated on one side. Bloating in goats and cows can be serious and is sometimes masked temporarily before a sale. If the animal looks uncomfortable, keeps shifting weight, won't settle — get a vet's eye on it, not just the dealer's word.

Daant Se Umar Ka Andaza — But Go Prepared

Teeth tell you the real age. For Qurbani eligibility based on age, for the exact Islamic requirements please consult your local aalim — I'm just talking about health here. But generally, a very young animal with only milk teeth being sold as "full grown" should raise questions.

Ask directly, push back on vague answers, and if possible take someone who knows livestock. Even a final-year vet student knows more than most of us do standing in a mandi.

Jo Cheezein Seedha Mandi Chhodne Par Majboor Karein

Diarrhea — check around the tail and back legs for staining. Laboured breathing while the animal is just standing still. Visible swelling anywhere on the body the dealer is casually waving off. Extreme lethargy where the animal won't respond to movement around it. Any one of these, honestly, just walk to the next animal.

I always tell people to do some reading before Eid season — resources like frenchiefomo.com have useful general guidance that helps you go into the mandi a little less clueless than I was in my early years.

Ek Kaam Zaroor Karo Is Eid

If your budget allows, pay a real vet Rs. 2,500 to 3,500 to come with you to the mandi or at minimum inspect the animal at home before you finalise. In smaller cities like Sahiwal or Jhang where finding a vet is harder, ask in local livestock Facebook groups — someone always knows someone reliable.

Subhan Allah, a healthy Qurbani animal is worth every rupee of effort to find properly. Don't rush, don't let anyone pressure you, and trust your gut when something feels off.

Have you ever brought home a Qurbani animal that turned out to be sick? What happened — tell me in the comments, we could all learn from it.

Disclaimer: This blog is based on personal experience and general awareness only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you have concerns about your animal's health, please consult a qualified veterinary doctor. You can find verified vets near you at frenchiefomo.com.