AGRIBUSINESS: Heat stress in pigs and its effect on the gut.

AGRIBUSINESS:    Heat stress in pigs and its effect on the gut. 


 Heat Stress is a physiological response to high environmental temperatures, where the animal is out of its thermo-neutral zone and can no longer effectively regulate its body temperature. Consequently, animal health, well-being and performance are negatively affected.

 

VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to prevent heat stress in cattle.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to prevent heat stress in cattle. Cattlemen need to be aware of the risk based on weather forecasts of heat stress and engage steps to prevent it. Cattle producers can determine the risk in cattle handling by referring to the Temperature Humidity Index, or heat index. It’s essential to understand the relationship between temperature and humidity. VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to prevent heat stress in cattle. Herdsmen should follow these guidelines in other to prevent heat stress along side using the table. 1) Cattle should only be moved short distances during hot weather. Strategic planning of pen movements can help reduce unnecessary movements and potential heat stress. 2) Move heavier cattle closer to loading facilities throughout the feeding period to minimize heat effects. When planning cattle handling and feeding facilities, cattle producers should consider airflow, shade and sprinkler systems for cooling livestock. 3)Handling cattle early in the morning before temperatures get too high is highly recommended. Handle cattle before 8 a.m. and never during daylight hours after 10 a.m. The animal's core temperature peaks about two hours after the environmental temperature peaks, and takes four to six hours to return to normal. Handling cattle in the early morning and evening will reduce the risk of heat stress. 4) When processing cattle during high-heat seasons, work with cattle in smaller groups to prevent them standing in holding areas much longer than 30 minutes. Cattle producers should use facilities that are shaded and have good airflow to help reduce the heat. A sprinkler system may help cool the area if the water droplet size is large. Never overcrowd working facilities. Work cattle slowly and use low-stress handling techniques. The use of the chart coupled with these recommendations will help prevent heat stress in cattle. There is a new device,an app that actually gives an alert /signal /indications of heat stress in cattle get it here

HOW TO HANDLE HEAT STRESS IN PIGS.

Heat stress affects the pig industry in tropical climates as well as temperate regions. Losses due to heat stress include nonproductive days for sows and economic losses in growing-finishing pigs. Even in mild climate conditions such as the Netherlands pigs have problems in the summer with performance losses due heat stress .This problem can be dealt with by improved nutrition. Pigs are much more sensitive to hot weather than other livestock animals – largely due to the fact that pigs hardly sweat and their lungs are relatively small compared to their body size. When pigs are exposed to heat stress, their respiration rate increases, pulse rate falls, they start panting heavily and they stop eating because this contributes to further heat production. The fact that bigger pigs are more sensitive to heat stress can be clearly seen in growth performance. Investigation of different weight classes (75, 80 and 28 kg body weight) showed a direct negative correlation on average daily gain (ADG) with increasing room temperature. While 75 kg pigs start to decrease their ADG at around 23°C, pigs weighing 25 kg can compensate up to 27°C (Langridge, Western Australia, 2014). A commonly accepted temperature range for sows in the farrowing house typically spans between 21°C and 25°C - though this is too big of a range. Nursery sows begin to show signs of heat stress starting at 22°C . The feed intake drops almost 0.5 kg/day as temperature increases to 25°C. Technical solutions to reduce heat stress are often time 
consuming and can be highly expensive, e.g. building cooled stables. A nutritional approach can prove more adaptable and quicker to implement. Based on current knowledge there are some measures we can take to improve the swine productivity during periods of heat stress. The nutritional intervention include; 1) Smaller, more frequent meals per day and/or night feeding. 2)A sufficient supply of fresh, clean water. 3)Wet the feed with water. 4)Use pelleted feed instead of mash. 5)Lower crude protein. 6) Replace starch with fat as an energy source. 7) Use less fiber. Story from materials from pig progress.

Melon based antioxidant for poultry drinking water.

Antioxidant supplementation is highly recommended during growth and key stages of production involving increased stress (weaning, vaccination, transport, heat stress and reproduction among others). Lallemand Animal Nutrition has developed a product based on melon extract and It is now also available for drinking water. We already know Mother Nature knows best and the best solutions often come from nature. Think of the powerful plant extracts and essential oils that are often used as feed additives. But also the juice extract from some specific kinds of melons (with an extremely long shelf-life) posses great characteristics and thus potential for animal diets. It was found that some types of melons have extremely high level of antioxidant enzymes, known as superoxyde dismutase (SOD). This acts as an antioxidant; an ingredient that has great demand in modern livestock breeding conditions. Improved zootechnical performance;Lallemand Animal Nutrition has used this knowledge to develop a novel feed additive Melofeed and together with Bionov released it to the animal feed market. Trials (at INRA among others) have showed great results in different animal species. For example, it can reduce the level of somatic cells count in the milk of dairy cows. In combination with organic selenium and Vitamin E, the melon additive decreased the number of downgraded eggs at farm level, improving the number of hatching eggs and raising the number of pullet sold, as shown in a hatchery trial in France. Also in combination with organic selenium the melon additive reduced piglet mortality. Drinking water;Initially only available as solid feed additive, Lallemand Animal Nutrition has now added a water-dispersible form of the antioxidant solution for use in the drinking water of all animal species (Melofeed Drink). According to Lallemand, this product is tested in farm trials with poultry, piglets and rabbits. Because this liquid version is stable in water for 24 hours, it ensures homogenous concentration of SOD. "This new solution facilitates a flexible application of the antioxidant source, allowing rapid intervention at times of high oxidative challenges such as heat stress, vaccination, pathogen challenges and more", explains Lallemand. Story credit;World poultry.

HEAT STROKE IN DOGS.

Heat stroke also referred to as heat prostration occurs when there is an elevated temperature. Dogs are very uncomfortable in hot environment than in cold regions.Dogs can easily suffer heat stress leading to prostration and consequently death within a short period. Ventilation is very important to health of pet,thus we need to ensure the environment is airy and conducive.Dogs cool themselves by panting which progressively become ineffective in extreme heat,poor ventilation or when pet is dehydrated because of lack of moisture on the tongue. Conditions that predisposes to heat stress are as follows 1) extreme temperatures. 2) locking a door in a car with windows up. 3) tying a dog in the sun for a long time. 4) exercising your dog on a hot day. Signs of heat stroke ; 1) restlessness 2)excessive panting. 3)weakness. 4) ropy,stringy saliva. 5) lying on the side,with extended limbs. What to do when you observe signs of heat; 1) take pet to cool area.2) give fresh cool water 3) cool the pet down. Cooling the pet down must not be rapid by pouring water on dog or bathing dog;, rather you use cold rags on the back line and cool the paws. A swab of alcohol can be rubbed on the back line to bring the temperature down and then seek veterinary attention to ascertain the condition of the dog.