Livestock Decontamination

Introducing livestock to a decontamination process can be stressful. The goal in any stress-related situation is to limit the amount of stress over a period of time. Animals can endure high stress levels for short periods of time, and low stress levels for longer periods of time. If animals are under high stress conditions, the process needs to be quick and efficient. Animals with lower stress levels can tolerate the stress for longer periods of time. It is important to note, animals with limited human interaction react differently than livestock that have been handled properly.

Implementing the proper level of stress for each individual animal, paying attention to behavioral changes, and following proper handling protocols are important in keeping animals and handlers safe during the process. Stress has a negative impact on all livestock and keeping stress levels down will contribute the livestock’s future well-being.

Stress occurs when animals have to make extreme and/or prolonged physiological and behavioral adjustments in order to cope with their environment.

Animals can experience three types of stress:

·  Physical – due to fatigue or injury

·  Physiological – due to hunger, thirst, or temperature control

·  Behavioral – due to the environment, unfamiliar people or surroundings

The effects of stress on an animal are similar to those on humans. In both humans and animals, stress causes the body to release adrenaline and cortisol hormones. These chemicals cause heart rate and respiration to speed up and suppress the immune system.

While these responses are adaptive, overexposure to stress can cause physiological problems, such as weight loss, changes to the immune system and decreased reproductive capacity.

The factors which can cause stress are called stressors. Things like noise, unfamiliar pen mates, or even dogs can cause stress on livestock. Although many animals might be able to tolerate a single stressor for a short period of time, multiple stressors over a long period of time may lead to distress and suffering.  The ability of animals to cope with stress will also depend on the genetic background of the species and the animal’s past experiences.

Stressed animals display low to no feed intake, poor immune function, poor response to vaccines, and decreased reproductive performance. Some degree of stress is inevitable, so the aim is to keep stress to a minimum. The response to stress is driven by hormone produced in the adrenal glands called cortisol. Cortisol is often called the stress hormone and when it’s released, it does a lot more than just increase heart rate and temperatures. 

Here are some ways higher than normal cortisol levels can affect the body:

·  Metabolism – blocks insulin to increase blood sugar levels as well as increasing glucose production in the liver, increases metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates

·  Immune system – suppresses immune response

·  Reproductive function – impairs the synthesis and release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (can delay establishment of puberty and ovulation)

·  Memory – works in the brain to create short-term memories of stressful events

Smoke is made up of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, soot, hydrocarbons and other organic substances including nitrogen oxides and trace minerals. The composition of smoke depends on what is burned; different types of wood, vegetation, plastics, house materials, and other combustibles all produce different compounds when burned. Carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is produced in the greatest quantity during the smoldering stages of the fire, can be fatal in high doses.