Sunstroke, heatstroke in cattle and prevention and treatment measures

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

1. Cause

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 or transported long distances at high density, with poor ventilation; or because the livestock barns are not covered, cooling measures are not applied...

2. Symptoms

Heatstroke in cows and buffaloes is often easily recognized by the loss of balance and staggering. Body temperature increases (40 - 41 degrees Celsius). Respiratory and cardiovascular rates 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 may show symptoms of stupor, lethargy and inflexibility, especially in the eyes with red mucous membranes.

3. Treatment

When transporting or keeping in large numbers, animals should be immediately rested in shady areas, and each animal should be separated in a separate location to reduce the amount of toxic gases emitted by the animals when kept together. If the animals are working such as plowing or pulling, let them rest immediately, and 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 to immediately pour 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 the ventilation of the barn and reduce the density.

Give your pet cool water containing electrolytes and vitamin C. If possible, you can give them crushed pennywort and fish mint leaves to drink to cool them 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 use intravenous infusion of glucose solution, saline solution, 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 the cattle, cool them down 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 place with lots of trees to take care of them, supplement food and water; 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, milking, working regime, veterinary hygiene during hot days, and promptly handle any diseased animals as soon as they are detected.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)