Sunstroke, heatstroke in cattle and prevention and treatment measures

(Baonghean.vn) - On hot, muggy days, high environmental temperatures hinder the heat dissipation of buffalo and cows' bodies, leading to excessive body temperature increase, easily causing heatstroke, affecting the health and productivity of livestock.

1. Causes

The disease occurs mainly on hot, humid days, when livestock work or graze directly under the sun for long periods of time; livestock are kept in captivity or transported long distances at high density, with poor ventilation; or because the livestock barns are not covered or cooling measures are not applied...

2. Symptoms

Heatstroke in buffaloes and cows is often easily recognized by the loss of balance and staggering. Body temperature increases (40 - 41 degrees Celsius). Respiratory and heart rate increase, pupils dilate at first and then narrow. In the final stage, the animal has difficulty breathing, mucous membranes become purple, convulsions, loss of reflexes and death.

The disease can occur in many animals or just a few in the herd. In cases of transport by vehicle or high density confinement, the whole herd can show symptoms of stupor, lethargy and inflexibility, especially in the eyes with red mucous membranes.

3. Treatment

When transporting or keeping in large numbers, it is necessary to let the animals rest in a shady area, separate each animal in a separate location to reduce the amount of toxic gas emitted by the animals when kept together. In case the animals are working such as plowing or pulling, let the animals rest immediately, choose a cool, quiet place.

Use a fan, fanning from the front of the animal at a moderate speed to help the animal cool down slowly, avoiding shock or dizziness.

Use a cool towel to wipe the animal, first wipe the head and face, then the whole body, about 1-2 hours later you can bathe the animal. Note: Do not use cold water immediately on the head and face of the animal or when the animal has not had time to balance its body condition, use cold water to pour and bathe the animal.

For buffaloes and cows suffering from heatstroke in the barn, it is necessary to increase ventilation in the barn and reduce density.

Give your pet cool water containing electrolytes and vitamin C. If possible, you can also crush pennywort and fish mint leaves for them to drink to cool down faster.

For seriously ill buffaloes and cows, it is necessary to use drugs to restore the nervous system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system; it is possible to infuse intravenous glucose solution, physiological saline, and other stimulants...

Note, after suffering from sunstroke or heatstroke, the health of buffaloes and cows is reduced, so it is necessary to take good care of them, supplement vitamins and medicine to help them recover quickly and avoid secondary diseases.

4. Disease prevention

Before the dry season, it is necessary to check, promptly renovate, repair and upgrade the water supply and cooling system in the barn.

When the ambient temperature increases, do not overfeed cattle, cool cattle with a spray hose, or use a misting system; spray water on the barn roof and most importantly, provide enough drinking water for the animals.

Reasonable stocking density: adult buffalo and cows from 6 - 8 m2/head.

Provide enough clean and cool drinking water for pets, supplement electrolytes and vitamin C. On hot, sunny days, pets should be fed early in the morning and late in the afternoon, reduce the amount of food, and increase the amount of green roughage.

Do not graze or work livestock outdoors in the hot sun for long periods of time.

When transporting livestock on hot days, it should be done at night or early morning or late afternoon. If transporting long distances, it is necessary to let the livestock rest properly during hot weather, take the buffalo and cows to a cool, tree-filled place to take care of them, supplement food and water; and check the health of the animals throughout the transport process.

At the same time, pay attention to implementing good livestock farming processes from care and feeding, milk exploitation, working regime, veterinary hygiene during hot days, and promptly handle when detecting animals showing signs of illness.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)