Farmers, horse and dog owners are being urged by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to take necessary steps to protect their animals during the continued hot temperatures affecting the country.

Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture Niall Collins has also called for vigilance on the possible outbreaks of fires.

“Due to continued high temperature weather patterns, the potential for the outbreak of fires remains high and I am calling on all forest owners, farmers, rural dwellers and other countryside users to be extremely vigilant regarding fire activity, to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the gardaí and to report all fires immediately to the fire and emergency services via 112/999,” he said.

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Advice

The Department has issued advice on key ways to reduce the impact of high temperatures on farm animals and horses which include:

Ensure plentiful supply of drinking water.

  • Drinking points should be checked more often during hot weather to ensure they are working and that water pressure is adequate.
  • Stock should be monitored for signs of problems with water supply such as queuing or crowding at water points.
  • The number of watering points and water flow may need to be increased during hot weather as demand increases.

    • Ensure access to suitable shade or shelter

  • Vulnerable animals, such as very young, old or sick animals, may need to be moved to a location with additional shade or shelter where they can be monitored more closely.
  • Holding areas for livestock and horses should have shaded areas available where possible and holding times should be minimised.
  • Outdoor poultry should have access to shade.
  • Outdoor pigs require access to a wallow to cool down, especially if the temperature is above 25°C, as these animals are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.

    • Minimise handling and transport

  • Movement or handling of cattle and other animals during hot weather can increase their body temperature by 0.5°C to 3.5°C, causing heat stress.
  • Minimise handling in hot weather. If necessary, ensure animals are handled as early or late in the day as possible to coincide with cooler temperatures.
  • Avoid transporting animals in hot weather where possible.
  • Where automatic ventilation systems are in place, increase the frequency of monitoring of alarm and back-up systems to allow for more airflow inside the vehicle.

    • Intensively housed species (pigs and poultry) need additional checks

  • Monitor the temperature in the animal housing closely and adjust ventilation accordingly.
  • Where automatic ventilation systems are in place, increase the frequency of monitoring of alarm and back-up systems.
  • Reduce stocking densities where necessary to increase air space and flow and to reduce the heat generated by the animals themselves.

    • Monitor livestock closely for health issues or heat stress

  • Livestock should always be checked more frequently in hot weather.
  • Signs of heat stress include faster breathing or panting, loss of appetite, increased water intake, drooling, listlessness or lethargy. In severe cases, animals may become unconscious.
  • If you suspect an animal may be heat stressed, it is essential to act quickly. Steps to manage heat-stressed animals include moving them to shade or shelter, offering cool water, using sprinklers for cattle, pigs and horses or allow the animals to stand in cool water, increase ventilation for housed species such as pigs and poultry and reduce the stocking density to allow animals to lie out. If there is no improvement, seek veterinary assistance without delay.

    • Advice for pets

  • Ensure a plentiful supply of drinking water both inside and outdoors.
  • Ensure access to suitable shade or shelter away from direct sunlight.
  • Never leave your dog unattended in a car, even if the car is parked in the shade or with windows open. The temperature inside the car may rise rapidly, causing heat stroke, which can be fatal.
  • Exercise your dog in the morning or the evening when temperatures are cooler. On longer walks, bring water for your dog to drink.
  • Surfaces that heat up in the sun – such as tarmac, pavements and sand – may be painful for your dog’s paws. If the surface is too hot for you to touch, walk your dog on grass or in shaded areas instead.
  • Regular grooming and clipping of dogs, particularly those with long or thick hair, helps dogs regulate their body temperature during hot weather.
  • As dogs can get sunburn, limit their exposure to direct sunlight and apply sunscreen to their ear tips and bridge of their nose if necessary.

    • The Department is warning dog owners to be aware of signs of heat stroke, which include heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness or seizures.

    If you suspect your dog has heat exhaustion or heat stroke, seek immediate veterinary attention and try to cool the dog down by moving to a cooler location, preferably indoors, wetting their body, ears and paws with cool (not very cold) water and offering small volumes of cool or lukewarm (not cold) water to drink.

    Advice to farmers

    Farmers and outdoor workers must stay safe in the sun by avoiding the intense heat during peak hours from 11am to 3pm.

    When outside, farmers should wear light, loose-fitting clothes that cover the skin with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Any exposed skin should be protected by regularly applying water-resistant sunscreen using at least factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children.

    Always stay in the shade whenever possible and keep well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.

    Check working machinery regularly for overheating bearings, belts and other components that may give rise to fires. Clear dust build-ups and debris from machinery regularly and be careful of hot vehicle exhausts and catalytic converters when working in dried hay or crops.