Document Type
Other
Publication Date
8-1-2007
Keywords
heat stress, animal considerations, handling, transporting, climate
Extension Number
ExEx 11021
Department
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Description
Animals shown at achievement days and fairs may be at increased risk for heat stress compared to their counterparts left at home. Transporting, showing, and handling in hot and humid weather may predispose animals to heat stress and possibly serious health consequences. With the exception of horses, animals shown at fairs and achievement days (cattle, dogs and cats, pigs, poultry, rabbits, sheep and goats) do not perspire and cannot regulate body temperature that way. If conditions are hot and humid, their body temperatures will peak in late afternoon and early evening hours. The most important way to reduce the risk of heat stress is to avoid transporting, handling, and showing during afternoon and early evening hours. This may mean changing checking-in or checking-out and showing schedules to morning hours, when animals’ body temperature are lower.
Recommended Citation
Daly, Russ, "Heat Stress, Fairs, and Achievement Days: Animal Considerations" (2007). SDSU Extension Extra Archives. 396.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_extra/396