Dr. Manojkumar Pande,
MVSc Scholar,
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Parbhani, Maharashtra.
Save our animals from heatstroke…!
The rise in body temperature due to close contact with hot environment is often termed as heatstroke.
Many of territories in India generally show rise in temperature which could be 45ᵒC or even more in some places, especially in the months of March to June. In such cases, our livestock is likely to become victim of heatstroke thereby affecting their production and reproductive performance very badly. In severe cases casualties can occur.
So dear livestock owners, in this article we are going to see ‘What are signs and symptoms of heatstroke rather heat stress? Reasons behind this, what to do in such type of condition? And of course, preventive measures for the same.
Primarily, animal suffering from heatstroke shows following signs and symptoms:
Body temperature rises up to 110ᵒF ranging from 106ᵒF to 110ᵒF.
Increase in heartbeats, deep and raid breathing.
Pulse rate become unclear but speed increases.
Frothy discharge from nostrils.
Drooling of saliva.
Initially there will be sweating which reduces later on.
The quantity and frequency of urination reduces.
Staggering gait, animal prefers to sit.
Mucus membranes of eyes become reddish.
Animal seeks cool place.
In second stage, these signs and symptoms become more prominent.
Increase in thirst and dryness in mouth
Dry muzzle and dark red colored discharge from nostrils is also seen very often.
Animal become restless and faint.
There will be trouble in breathing and animal tries open mouth breathing.
In third and last stage, animal falls down on ground due to unconsciousness. At this time, pregnant animal can show abortion. In severe cases casualty can occur.
Now let us discuss reasons behind this heatstroke. Basically, as we have seen before, rise in environmental temperature is the prime reason but adding to this there are certainly some other reasons which helps, favors the condition or increase the severity of illness. Which are they? Let’s have a look:
Excess humidity, ill ventilation in shed.
Minimal wind flow in animal house.
Overcrowding of animals in a herd.
Less drinking of water.
Minimal sweating.
Excess load of fur or wool in case of sheep.
Transportation of animals during hot hours of day.
Tedious and heavy work or exercise.
Obesity
Along with these, injury to brain, loss of body fluids, excess muscle movement compliment the heat stress.
Animals generally prone to heatstroke are:
• Exotic as well as crossbred animals.
• Buffaloes are more prone to heat stress due to less number of sweat glands.
• Sheep with heavy load of wool.
• Pigs.
• Race horses.
What are the remedies on heatstroke?
Put animals in shadowy and ventilated place.
If possible, make arrangements for sprinklers and foggers.
Sponging should be done on animal body using cold water.
Using ice or icepack on body of animal especially on forehead proves very effective.
Provide ample quantity of clean, cool and potable water.
Go for cold water enema, under your vet friend’s guidance.
Wet gunny bags can be placed over animal body as well as on windows of shed, while doing this, take care of optimum ventilation and humidity.
Treatment for heatstroke:
Take prompt veterinary service. Fever reducing medication, saline infusion and drugs to stop nasal bleeding is recommended. Don’t worry, he will look after it!
Preventive measures against heatstroke:
Prevention is always better than cur.
Some or more of the following measures can be adopted to prevent heatstroke and heat stress in our animals:
Place animals in airy, cool area preferably under shadow in summer season
In high warm period that means in and around 11 am to 4 pm, try to avoid grazing and/ or agricultural work.
Transportation of animals should be done in cool hours of day that is early morning and late evening that to with some gaps and in phases.
Provide cool, potable water round the clock.
Reducing roughage and increasing concentrate in diet could be helpful.
Occasionally provide jaggery, buttermilk, salt in optimum level so that water, electrolyte and energy balance can be maintained.
Give juice from citrus group fruits in lesser quantity either in feed or in drinking water.
Scrubbing is an effective managemental practice, carry out it periodically.
Try to shear wool prior to summer.
Emphasize on building proper shed of recommended dimensions considering existing livestock and future growth in number.
If possible and feasible, install hurricane ventilators and exhaust fans.
Plant big trees like mango, neem, pipal, banyan etc. around shed which will provide shadow.
Heat stress! Need to care, not to stress…!
