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Veld fires often affect large areas and hundreds or thousands of livestock can be injured or killed. In the aftermath, quick and appropriate action is needed to limit losses and minimise animal suffering. The prognosis depends on the severity of burns and other injuries, and it is essential to assess animals systematically.
Based on investigations in Australia, animals should be categorised into three groups.
Mildly or lightly affected
These animals would be breathing easily and normally, with little or no coughing or breathing difficulty. They can walk, eat and drink normally. Hair or wool may be scorched and the skin lightly scalded (first-degree burns) over limited areas. These mild, superficial burns may be treated, and as long as animals have good care, shelter, food and water, the prognosis is very good.
Moderately affected cases
These animals may have some difficult or heavy breathing and coughing, but they can walk, stand, eat and drink. They may have more severe burns (second-degree) over more extensive areas and reactive subcutaneous oedema. Skin on the legs could be mildly affected or not involved. Hooves may show sloughing. If these animals are properly treated and cared for, their prognosis is good. Damage to the teat openings can result in a later inability to suckle calves, lambs or kids.
Severely affected animals
This group will usually exhibit severe breathing difficulties and coughing due to smoke inhalation; in addition, or alternatively, they cannot walk, eat or drink. There may be severe (third-degree) burns over extensive areas, and severe burns on the lower legs are a particularly bad sign. Since the prognosis in these cases is poor, even with heroic treatment, it is rational and humane in many cases to advise euthanasia to end suffering.
Treatment
The decision to treat animals more intensively must take account of the number of animals, the availability of appropriate medication and responsible people to carry out daily evaluations and treatments, the costs involved and the animals’ value. Animals failing to respond may have to be reassigned to a lower category.
Treatments will depend on the decisions of veterinarians, but the following is a guideline:
- For mild to moderate burns, consider using topical emollients, creams, wound remedies or antiseptics. Some may have to be used off-label. For severe burns in valuable animals, registered products are indicated.
- Systemic antibiotics are strongly recommended in all cases where the lungs may be compromised or secondary infection is a danger. They can save many lives.
- Analgesics should be used wherever possible because of the severe pain from burns. However, if an animal that has been treated with analgesics dies, its carcass can pose a danger to vultures and must be disposed of safely.
Despite an apparently poor prognosis, some animals can recover with the proper care and treatments. Sloughed hooves are not a death sentence, provided proper daily care can be given. This includes protective bandaging, antiseptics, bedding, food and water. The hoof can form again within a few weeks, although it may be deformed.
Emergency slaughter
Only livestock that comply with the Meat Safety Act regulations that specify the criteria for acceptance of animals for emergency slaughter at abattoirs may be transported. Abattoirs will reject badly injured and unsuitable animals, and transporting them will cause further needless suffering. Consult the nearest abattoir on the suitability of livestock for emergency slaughter.
