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Preparation Guidelines:
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Ensure all animals have
some form of identification that will help
facilitate their return.
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Evacuate animals
whenever possible. Arrangements for
evacuation, including routes and host sites,
should be made in advance. Alternate routes
should be mapped out in case the planned
route is inaccessible.
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The evacuation sites
should have or be able to readily obtain
food, water, veterinary care, handling
equipment and facilities.
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Make available vehicles
and trailers needed for transporting and
supporting each type of animal. Also make
available experienced handlers and drivers.
Note: It is best to allow animals a chance to become
accustomed to vehicular travel so they are
less frightened and easier to move.
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If evacuation is not
possible, a decision must be made whether to
move large animals to available shelter or
turn them outside. This decision should be
determined based on the type of disaster and
the soundness and location of the shelter
(structure).
Cold Weather Guidelines:
When temperatures plunge
below zero, livestock producers need to give
extra attention to their animals. Prevention is
the key to dealing with hypothermia, frostbite
and other cold weather injuries in livestock.
Making sure your livestock has the following
help prevent cold-weather maladies:
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Shelter
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Plenty of dry bedding
to insulate vulnerable udders, genitals and
legs from the frozen ground and frigid
winds.
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Windbreaks to keep
animals safe from frigid conditions.
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Plenty of food and
water
Also, take extra time to
observe livestock, looking for early signs of
disease and injury. Severe cold-weather injuries
or death primarily occur in the very young or in
animals that are already debilitated. Cases of
cold weather-related sudden death in calves
often result when cattle are suffering from
undetected infection, particularly pneumonia.
Sudden, unexplained livestock deaths and
illnesses should be investigated quickly so that
a cause can be identified and steps can be taken
to protect remaining animals.
Animals suffering from
frostbite don’t exhibit pain. It may be up to
two weeks before the injury becomes evident as
freeze-damaged tissue starts to slough away. At
that point, the injury should be treated as an
open wound and a veterinarian should be
consulted.
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