Assessing Cattle Injuries & Health Following Wildfires

Colorado is known for our impressive and damaging wildfires, whether they occur on forested lands or on the wind-swept plains. Often, livestock are caught up in these disasters and may suffer severe burns, injuries received in an attempt to escape the flames, smoke inhalation, or even death.

If you find yourself in the position of assessing cattle that have gone through a wildfire, there are steps that you should consider taking. First and foremost is take care for your safety and the safety of other people in the area. Many hazards may be found within a fire scene. (i.e. down power lines, unstable trees and structures, tin from lost structures, injured animals that are scared, hazardous materials that are no longer secured within their original containers, etc.)

The cattle need to be located and secured. Keep in mind that they have gone through a traumatic event and may have tried to escape it. It is possible that a cattle herd may have separated and traveled long distances in different directions from where they were originally located. Many may have joined neighboring herds and will have to be sorted out of those herds. Cattle that remain on the burned area should be removed, if possible, and located on unburned ground. Provide them with fresh, clean water as soon as possible. You will also want to provide a feed source that is not contaminated from the fire. Rotate the location where you feed these surviving cattle to prevent the buildup of pathogens in one location. Ensure that these cattle receive adequate water and forage to help mitigate stress and maintain their immune system.
Closely check the surviving animals for signs of whether they were exposed to flames, heat, or smoke. Consult your veterinarian early in this process to ensure the highest levels of welfare and well being for the affected animals. Serious burns may be obvious.

You will also want to examine the cattle for injuries that are not immediately obvious. Some things to take notice of are:

**Nursing cows have the potential for suffering a scorched udder. In this situation, the cow likely will not allow her calf to nurse. You will need to monitor calves closely to be certain that they are receiving their necessary nutrients. A scorched udder may transition into a mastitis problem for the cow.

**Secondary infections can set in as a result of burns received in the fire. This can happen at any injury point, but places to pay extra attention to are the udders, testicles, sheath, eyes, and feet. It may take 10 days to two weeks for these types of injuries to become obvious. Cattle with burnt feet may have their hoof walls slough off, crippling the animal.

**Smoke inhalation can damage the lining of the nasal passages, trachea, and lungs. The resulting inflammation can lead to edema, emphysema, and pneumonia. The longer the animal is in the smoke plume, the greater the chance of respiratory problems. This type of damage may not be as noticeable immediately following the fire but become a problem at a later point, such as a hot period during the summer. It is important to note that cattle do not have to be within the fire to experience problems from smoke inhalation. They can be located miles from the fire, yet within the smoke plume for an extended period and have complications as a result.

**Whether burned in the fire or irritated by smoke, the eyes of affected cattle need to be monitored closely. Due to their close proximity to the brain, infections of eyelids and eyeballs as a result of wildfires can be fatal to cattle.

**It is important to remember that these animals may have tried to escape the fire and could have suffered injuries during that process. These cattle should be monitored for broken bones, cuts, and abrasions.

Cattle that are determined to be injured beyond a reasonable treatment protocol should be alleviated from their suffering as soon as possible. In some cases the animal may still be eligible for human consumption. If this is the case, slaughter needs to be conducted immediately, prior to the onset of secondary complications. These animals need to have a veterinary meat inspector’s antemortem inspection before harvest to determine that the product will meet safety and wholesomeness requirements for human consumption. Cattle that are injured beyond treatment, that will not be harvested, should be euthanized and the carcass disposed of following local, state, and federal regulations.

Surviving cattle should be closely monitored for several weeks after the wildfire. Consistent coughing, nasal drainage, lameness, cloudy eyes, poor gains or a loss of weight, and general lethargy could all be signs of secondary complications that may arise in the weeks to follow.
For more information on assessing and caring for your livestock following a wildfire, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office or consult with your veterinarian.